Making FES Cycling system adjustments

The RehaMove FES Cycling system (sometimes known as an FES bike) is widely used by clients to allow them to exercise paralysed muscles actively. There are many benefits of doing this following a neurological condition such as a spinal cord injury.

This video may be of general interest, but will be particularly useful to existing users of our FES Cycling system who wish to get more from using the product. The video is around 15 minutes long and it addresses three commonly asked questions

  • Why should I use an FES bike?

  • When and why should I change the stimulation settings?

  • How should I make these changes?

The video distinguishes between training for a goal and general exercise and looks at a useful structure to think about how to train, The effect of changing each of the stimulation parameters is considered. You might want to term on subtitles when viewing the video.

Read More

Is Electrical Stimulation Safe?

Electrical Stimulation Therapy has established itself as a substantial tool in physical therapy. Applications such as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) units and Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) devices have demonstrated substantial effectiveness in improving overall function.
However, the application of electrical stimulation requires stringent safety measures. Assessing patient history, establishing clear treatment objectives, verifying equipment certification, and checking for any contraindications are essential steps to ensure safe and effective treatment. The presence of conditions such as pregnancy, wounds or scars in the electrode area, metal or active implants, and skin diseases may require careful evaluation before proceeding.
Proper patient education on equipment use, along with professional supervision, helps to maximise the benefits while minimising potential risks. Overall, when applied correctly and tailored to individual needs, electrical stimulation can significantly contribute to enhancing rehabilitation outcomes.

Read More

Why is electrical stimulation used in rehabilitation?

Are you dealing with a neurological condition that requires rehabilitation? You may have heard about electrical stimulation, sometimes known as FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) or electrotherapy, before. If so, you might be wondering why it is often used in rehabilitation and whether it is right for your specific situation.

In this article, we are going to explore the concept of electrical stimulation and what its use in physical therapy offers in particular for individuals recovering from neurological conditions. Read on to learn more about how electrical stimulation works and how it can help speed up recovery and improve function after an injury or neurological condition.

Read More

Can Electrical Stimulation Treat Chronic Wounds?

The short answer to the question is yes it can. Although there is a lot of research literature on the topic, it is reasonable to suggest that the application of electrical stimulation to help resolve chronic wounds is not that well understood or widely practised yet.

There are a variety of different approaches and there is perhaps no optimal approach that has yet been identified. As a consequence, the evidence supporting electrical stimulation for wound healing is always muted due to the variety of protocols that have been used.

Perhaps the approach with the longest use is High Voltage Pulsed Current (HVPC) which dates back to the 1940s. In this article, we will take a look at the nature of wounds, the rationale behind electrical stimulation for wound healing and look at some of the approaches that have been taken.

Read More

What is the purpose of functional electrical stimulation?

Functional Electrical Stimulation, commonly known as FES, has many practical applications. FES is a widely used, non-invasive treatment technique that applies electrical impulses to weak or paralysed muscles. The idea of using electricity to have a beneficial effect on the body is not new, but it is only with advances in technology in recent years are we starting to see the true potential of this approach for neurorehabilitation and healthcare in general.
The purpose of functional electrical stimulation is usually to generate a useful (functional) muscle contraction; often with the aim of improving function and movement but, depending on the type of stimulation used, an FES device can do much more than that.

In this article we review the topic of FES, some of it's applications and point to some of the devices offered by Anatomical Concepts.

Read More

What is the success rate of electrical stimulation for pain?

Electrical stimulation is a commonly used treatment for various conditions, including pain relief and can often be very effective. What would count as success very much depends on the reason for the pain and it’s severity. In some cases, pain relief with any technique will be temporary but then the benefit may have to be weighed against other factors. As with any potential treatments there are contraindications and indications.
We would typically need to consider electrical stimulation effectiveness and safety in comparison with possible alternatives. As electrical stimulation is relatively safe and non-invasive in many situations it is often worth trying before more invasive alternatives are considered for example.
We will describe what is behind the TENS approach as well as other approaches that might not be so well known. At Anatomical Concepts we deal with a product called the Stimulette Edition 5 which boasts a number of built-in protocols for the management of pain. In this article we will describe how electrotherapy can be used to work with pain and the specific abilities of the Edition 5.

Read More