FES is a therapeutic tool. It uses electrical current to make a muscle contract (shorten or tighten). This helps the muscle get stronger, move more easily, and feel less tight.
You may also hear FES called “functional neuromuscular stimulation” and “transcutaneous electrical stimulation.”
How FES works
Your body uses electrical currents to move your muscles.
Your brain sends electrical signals through your nervous system. The nerves act like electrical wires and send these signals to your muscles, telling them to contract. This contraction causes your muscles to move.
After a neurological injury like a stroke, some electrical signals from the brain may not get to the muscles. FES helps muscles that have been paralyzed (cannot move) or partially paralyzed to move again.
What FES is used for
FES may help with issues such as:
- foot drop (trouble raising the front of the foot for walking)
- hemiplegic shoulder subluxation (arm bone comes out of place after a stroke)
- trouble with upper body tasks that involve reaching and grabbing
Speak with your physiotherapist or occupational therapist to find out if FES is a treatment option for you.
What FES is not used for
FES is not a treatment option if you are very sensitive to electrical stimulation or have any of the following:
- uncontrolled epilepsy
- a skin condition such as an infection, open wound, or irritation
- fractures that are still healing
- a cancerous lesion on the area to be treated
- a demand pacemaker
FES may not work for you if the nerves connected directly to the muscle are damaged.
Speak with your therapist to find out if FES is a treatment option for you.
What to expectSome people find FES uncomfortable, but it is fine for most people.
Small square stickers called electrodes are placed on your skin over a muscle. Wires connect the electrodes to a stimulator, which is a small machine that makes the current.
Your therapist will usually start the stimulation at a very low level. You will notice a tingling "pins and needles" feeling on your skin. Your therapist will gradually increase the stimulation until it’s strong enough to make your muscle contract.
You will try to do functional tasks, such as grasping and releasing an object, during your treatment.
A treatment usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes. It may be shorter if your muscle gets tired.
The number of treatments you need and for how long depends on your health condition, goals, and recovery.
Side effects
Side effects of FES treatment may include:
- Skin irritation: Your therapist may lower the current or change your FES program to address this. They will also check that the electrodes have enough moisture.
- Marks on the skin: These marks may appear after treatment on the areas the electrodes were placed. They usually go away within an hour.
- More muscle tightness: This can happen as the muscle becomes stronger, but it is rare.
Home FES
You can do FES at home if you have a home FES machine. Your therapist will show a family member or friend how to help with your treatments.
Make sure you tell your therapist or doctor what model of machine you have. They are not all the same.
Cost
There is no cost for FES treatment while you are in the care of Alberta Health Services.
The cost of a home FES machine depends on the one you buy. Check with your insurance company to see if they cover the cost of buying or renting an FES machine.
Learn more
Adapted with permission from Author: Marc-André Roy, MSc. And Kristin Musselman, PhD
