I was reading a report written in the 1990's with the support of the Cleveland FES Centre in the USA.

Within the report the authors suggested that with consistent exercise, about two thirds of FES exercise system users can expect benefits such as, improved cardiovascular health, improved fitness, increased leg muscle strength and increased leg muscle bulk. 

Some FES exercise users reported increases in

• Employment opportunities.
• Participation in social activities.
• Efficiency in activities of daily living. 

Whilst this report is a few years old it still provides a useful guide to the likely benefits. 

Why did the other one third not receive the same level of benefits?

The likely reason is that they did not for one reason or another persist with the exercise programme. Motivation is the key. Research suggests that the benefits are there if a programme of regular exercise is followed. 

In 2007, in the Final Report to their funding agency, Professor Ken Hunt from Glasgow and Professor N Donaldson from London indicate the performance gains of 11 subjects who completed a 1-year intensive training programme.

The subjects trained at home and the study found that peak power output increased on average by 129% during the training period.  The study found a substantial increase in peak exercise performance and in their ability to perform sustained aerobic exercise  

Despite all these possible benefits, it is important to remember that a person with complete SCI will not regain voluntary control of the legs by using an FES bicycle system.

Who is medically eligible? Persons who fulfill all the following requirements:

• Only upper motor neuron lesions.
  
• Joints that can move throughout the range needed for the bicycling or other motion.
• Skin sensation that can tolerate surface electrodes.
• No abnormalities in x-ray of legs.
• Good general health.
• Emotionally stable and realistic.

Participation in an FES exercise program typically involves:

• Thorough medical checkup.
• Physical therapy and conditioning to strengthen leg muscles (3 times/week - 10-20 weeks).
• Personal exercise program in community, home or other location as part of your regular activities.
• Medical follow-up every 36 exercise sessions.
  

 

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