Functional Electrical Stimulation for Post-Stroke

Stroke is currently the leading cause of adult disability in the United States and is the 3rd leading cause of death. Of those who survive a stroke, 2/3 are usually left with some type of physical disability, ranging in severity from mild weakness in an arm or leg to total paralysis of one side of the body. Because of these devastating residual effects, rehabilitation is a key factor in recovery from a stroke. Rehabilitation usually begins immediately in the hospital once a patient is medically stable, and can continue on for months to years depending on the severity of the disability.

Rehabilitation Post-Stroke
One common problem many patients experience post-stroke is the difficulty or inability to walk. Ambulation is typically addressed by conventional physical therapy methods, such as therapeutic exercise, stretching, balance activities, and gait training with an assistive device (i.e. a cane). More advanced methods of rehabilitation include Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), a technique that uses electrical currents to activate the nerves that innervate the affected muscles in order to obtain a coordinated movement of the otherwise paralyzed limb. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) can be performed by a qualified physical therapist in a clinic setting using surface electrodes on the skin. However, the surface placement of these electrodes has its disadvantages, including: poor muscle selectivity, inaccurate placement of the electrodes, inconsistent muscle or nerve stimulation, painful stimulus, and poor electrode longevity.