Electrical stimulation is an assistive technology that can be used to help stimulate muscle contraction and facilitate movement in weak upper or lower limbs. Electrical stimulation can only be used in the case of an upper motor neuron lesion, and cannot be used in lower motor nerve injuries such as Polio, Guillain barre, brachial plexus or peripheral nerve injuries. Functional electrical stimulation can be considered in the upper limb to assist with shoulder subluxation, reach and grasp, sensory loss or to assist as part of an exercise program. It can also be used in the lower limb to assist with knee bend in gait or foot drop to assist with clearance of the toes in walking.  

At NRG, we have access to the OdStock PACE functional electrical stimulation device which can be used as a training device in therapy in the lower limb. We also have a NeuroTrac which can be used to assist with pain as a TENS device or in therapy as a neuromuscular electrical stimulator for smaller muscles in the upper limb.  

Functional electrical stimulator devices can also be considered as an adjunct or assistive technology via our orthotics clinic for longer term use in gait or for therapeutic trial Read more