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Paradigms of Lower Extremity Electrical Stimulation Training After Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: February 1, 2018
Functional electrical stimulation in spinal cord injury:: from theory to practice
Rebecca Martin1, Cristina Sadowsky, Kimberly Obst
1The International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at Kennedy Krieger Institute , Baltimore , Maryland.
Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
|March 6, 2013
Summary
This article details functional electrical stimulation (FES) for activity-based restorative therapy (ABRT) to help restore function after spinal cord injury. It covers patient selection, treatment planning, and optimizing FES parameters for motor recovery and functional tasks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) and neurological diseases often result in significant motor function loss.
- Activity-based restorative therapy (ABRT) aims to promote recovery and functional gains.
- Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a technology that can be integrated into ABRT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide practical guidelines for applying functional electrical stimulation (FES) within activity-based restorative therapy (ABRT).
- To discuss specific FES applications for restoring function after spinal cord injury and neurological disease.
- To review FES indications, contraindications, physiological effects, and parameter optimization for motor learning and functional task integration.
Main Methods:
- Review of current evidence on FES applications in ABRT.
- Discussion of medical and therapeutic indications, precautions, and contraindications for patient selection and treatment planning.
- Analysis of physiological implications and adjustable FES parameters (dosing, timing).
- Exploration of strategies to enhance cortical representation, motor learning, and functional task transition.
Main Results:
- Outlines practical steps for implementing FES in ABRT.
- Identifies specific FES applications for functional restoration in neurological conditions.
- Provides guidance on patient selection, treatment planning, and assessment based on indications and contraindications.
- Details physiological effects and parameter optimization for FES.
- Reviews methods for improving motor learning and functional task integration.
Conclusions:
- FES is a valuable tool for ABRT, offering potential for functional recovery in SCI and neurological disorders.
- Careful patient selection, treatment planning, and parameter adjustment are crucial for effective FES application.
- Integrating FES can enhance motor learning and facilitate the transition of emerging movements into functional activities.
