Functional electrical stimulation in external control of motor activity and movements of paralysed extremities....

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been described as electrical stimulation of muscle deprived of nervous control with a view to providing muscular contraction and producing a functionally useful movement. It is used in the rehabilitation of neurological and locomotor disorders. Its effects can be explained in a number of ways: (a) as a functional reorganization of the interneuron system, (b) the formation of alternative pathways, and (c) changes in the morphology of cells of the central nervous system. The results of research and development are presented.