Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Functional electrical stimulation improves reaching movement in the shoulder and elbow muscles of stroke patients: A
Alicia Cuesta-Gómez1, María Carratalá-Tejada1, Francisco Molina-Rueda1
1Motion Analysis, Ergonomics, Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory (LAMBECOM), Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Spain.
Background:
Recovery of motor function following stroke is essential to restore adequate functionality. The use of functional electrical stimulation (FES) technology as a neuroprosthesis to enhance the motor function of the UL, and thus facilitate the performance of ADL, could lead to a stroke patient's greater activity and participation in daily life.
Objective:
The aim of the present study was to establish whether the application of FES in patients who have suffered a stroke with UL motor impairment is able to modify and facilitate their reaching patterns, measured by a three-dimensional motion capture system.
Methods:
20 patients with chronic stroke participated in this study. For muscle stimulation, the electrical stimulator Compex® was used. Motion analysis was performed using the VICON Motion System®. Joint movements of the thorax, shoulder and elbow were analyzed in the sagittal plane, during the reaching movement under two different conditions of stimulation: FES condition and placebo condition.
Results:
Differences between FES condition and placebo condition were observed. In the FES condition it was recorded: an increased shoulder flexion and elbow extension in the reaching movement.
Conclusions:
Functional electrical stimulation improved reaching movement in stroke patients with upper limb impairment.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Muscles of the Shoulder
Anterior Thoracic Muscles
The anterior thoracic muscles include the serratus anterior, subclavius, and...
Dimensional Analysis
Conversion Factors and Dimensional Analysis
The unit...
Dimensional Analysis
In fluid mechanics, dimensional...
Dimensional Analysis
Dimensional analysis allows us to analyze and compare physical quantities on a...
Dimensional Analysis
Muscle Stimulation Frequency
Wave summation
At low firing rates, motor neurons induce individual twitch contractions in muscle fibers. These twitches...

