Chapter 23 - The Physiologic Aspects and Clinical Application of Functional Electrical Stimulation in Rehabilitation

Abstract

This chapter discusses the physiologic aspects and clinical application of functional electrical stimulation (FES) in rehabilitation. FES may be defined as the application of electrical currents to neural tissue for restoring a degree of control over abnormal or absent body functions. Electricity has been applied either experimentally or clinically for many purposes: (1) to improve hearing and sight, (2) to prevent bladder and bowel incontinence, (3) to control evacuation, (4) to regulate heart rhythm, (5) to reduce spasticity, (6) to allow ventilator-free breathing, (7) to correct scoliosis, and (8) to usefully move paralyzed limbs. The chapter discusses one specific form of FES that is usually referred to by scientists as functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS). FNS restricts the electrical stimulation to the neuromuscular system for the purpose of controlling skeletal muscle contractions. It may be applied successfully for different forms of paralytic conditions caused by upper motor neuron lesions, for example, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and cerebral palsy. The chapter discusses its application after spinal cord injury.