Evidence reviewed as of before 01-01-2021 Author(s): Ogourtsova, T. (PhD OT); Steven, E. (MSc App OT); Iliopoulos, G. (MSc App OT); Deleva, V. (MSc App OT) & Majnemer, A. (PhD, OT, FCAHS)

Introduction

Electrical stimulation (ES, also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation, NMES) is a type of therapeutic intervention which uses electric current to elicit a muscle contraction. ES was initially developed for people with paralysis and has shown promising results for conditions such as stroke and other neurological disorders. The goal of this intervention is to strengthen weak muscles and improve motor control.

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) refers to the use of ES during a task-specific functional activity. The stimulation can aid in the contraction of weak muscles that the person might not be able to voluntarily move and can therefore assist in the completion of functional tasks (such as swallowing, reaching, or even walking).

Accessed on June 27, 2022 from https://stiwell.medel.com/stiwell-products/stiwell-med4/application-areas/fes-for-cerebral-palsy

Parent & Family Information

Clinician Information

Children with spastic diplegic CP

CP level N/A

Children with CP presenting with oropharyngeal dysphagia

GMFCS level II-V

Children with hemiplegic CP

GMFCS level I-II

References

  • Karabay, İ., Dogan, A., Arslan, M. D., Dost, G., & Ozgirgin, N. (2012). Effects of functional electrical stimulation on trunk control in children with diplegic cerebral palsy. Disability and rehabilitation34(11), 965–970. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2011.628741

  • Umay, E., Gurcay, E., Ozturk, E. A., & Unlu Akyuz, E. (2020). Is sensory-level electrical stimulation effective in cerebral palsy children with dysphagia? A randomized controlled clinical trial. Acta neurologica Belgica120(5), 1097–1105. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13760-018-01071-6

  • Xu, K., He, L., Mai, J., Yan, X., & Chen, Y. (2015). Muscle Recruitment and Coordination following Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy with Electrical Stimulation on Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PloS one10(10), e0138608. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0138608

Definitions

Was this helpful?

    What is your role? Select the one that best represents you when looking at this site

    Please specify:

    Did you find the information you were looking for?

    Comments (optional):

    How useful was the information on this website in terms of managing your child’s health?

    How useful was the information on this website in terms of your subsequent work?

    Comments (optional):

    General comments you wish to share about this website (optional):

      What is your role? Select the one that best represents you when looking at this site

      Please specify:

      [cf7mls_step cf7mls_step-1 "Next" ""]

      Did you find the information you were looking for?

      Comments (optional):

      [cf7mls_step cf7mls_step-2 "Back" "Next" "Step 2"]

      How useful was the information on this website in terms of managing your child’s health?

      How useful was the information on this website in terms of your subsequent work?

      Comments (optional):

      [cf7mls_step cf7mls_step-3 "Back" "Next" "Step 3"]

      General comments you wish to share about this website (optional):

      [cf7mls_step cf7mls_step-4 "Back" "Step 4"]