If you suffer from any neurological disorder, you cannot avoid to read this!

Introduction: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a form of electrical stimulation that uses mild electrical currents to directly stimulate nerve fibers with the objective of restoring muscle activity and movement in individuals with neurological disorders. A neurological disorder involves a group of conditions that affect the central and peripheral nervous system. Such disorders can result in partial or complete paralysis, difficulty in movement, coordination difficulties, or loss of bodily function control. FES therapy is one of the non-pharmaceutical alternatives that can help recover from these symptoms. This article aims to provide an overview of FES in the management of neurological disorders. What is Functional Electrical Stimulation? Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a technique that utilizes electrical impulses generated through electrodes to activate the muscles in a controlled and coordinated manner. FES may be applied alone or in conjunction with conventional therapy to improve or maintain functional abilities. A Frequently used form of FES is "neuromuscular electrical stimulation" (NMES). NMES is used to generate muscle contractions that mimic normal muscle contractions in order to train, build, or restore muscle strength. FES can help individuals with various neurological disorders: Individuals with neurologic disorders such as stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and traumatic brain injury may benefit from FES therapy. Individuals post-stroke are the most common population to benefit from FES therapy. In this population, FES is mainly used to improve motor function and reduce spasticity. How does FES work? FES therapy works by stimulating nerves that might be non-responsive due to neurological damage. Electrodes are placed on the skin over the affected area to deliver electrical energy which causes the contraction of targeted muscles producing a specific movement. The intensity, duration, and timing of the electrical pulse delivered are set and controlled by the therapist. Advantages of FES for Management of Neurological Disorders: Non-Invasive: FES is a non-invasive technique that utilizes electricity to activate muscle function in the body, promoting healing and minimizing the chances of side effects. Improves muscle strength: FES is an effective way of improving muscle strength and muscle mass in patients with stroke, spinal cord injury, or multiple sclerosis. Improves joint mobility: FES helps to improve joint mobility and range of motion in affected areas of the body, reducing the overall risk of falls and enhancing the patient's quality of life. Improves coordination and balance: FES is valuable in the treatment of coordination and balance issues, which are important in the recovery of individuals with neurological disorders. Reduces spasticity: FES therapy helps to reduce spasticity, the involuntary contraction of muscles, which may interfere with functional movement. Applications of FES: FES has several applications in the management of neurological disorders. Here are some of the applications of FES in the treatment of neurological disorders: FES for Stroke Rehabilitation: FES can help improve hand function, walking speed, and balance in stroke patients. It can be used along with traditional physiotherapy to enhance the recovery process. FES can be applied directly to the affected muscles or indirectly via the stimulation of the surrounding muscles, facilitating their use. FES can also facilitate motor re-education, promoting the regeneration and strengthening of the affected muscles. FES for Multiple Sclerosis: FES can be used to improve strength in individuals with multiple sclerosis. NMES can help improve muscle activation and reduce muscle fatigue in patients. FES can also be used to improve walking speed and lower extremity function in patients with multiple sclerosis. FES for Spinal cord injury: FES has been used to restore upper limb function and improve arm and hand control in individuals with spinal cord injury. When used in conjunction with traditional physiotherapy, FES can help improve muscle strength, which can be essential for an individual with a spinal cord injury. FES can improve bowel and bladder functionality and also reduce muscle spasticity. FES for Cerebral Palsy: FES can help improve gait and standing abilities in individuals with cerebral palsy. FES can be used along with conventional rehabilitation techniques such as physiotherapy to promote the control of the affected muscles. The stimulation of different muscles can be controlled to improve flexibility and balance. FES for Traumatic Brain Injury: FES can be used in the management of traumatic brain injury to improve the range of motion of the affected joints, promote muscle strength, and reduce muscle spasticity. FES for Parkinson's Disease: In Parkinson's Disease, FES can help improve gait, balance, and posture, promoting stability and reducing the likelihood of falls. Conclusion: FES is an effective and non-invasive technique for the treatment of various neurological disorders. FES can be applied to different parts of the body, targeting various muscles and joints to improve strength, mobility, balance, and coordination. FES has numerous applications in the management of neurological disorders, specifically in stroke rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and Parkinson's disease. Evidence suggests that FES therapy, when used in conjunction with traditional physiotherapy, can significantly improve the outcomes, such as mobility and quality of life, of patients with neurological disorders.

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