FES Cycling and Multiple Sclerosis

Research is underway to establish the value of FES Cycling in the management of Multiple Sclerosis.  A recent article in the Journal Neurorehabilitation Volume 22, Number 4 / 2007, reports on a multiple sclerosis patient who received functional electrical stimulation to reduce spastic muscle tone of the lower limbs.

Stimulation by means of surface electrodes applied to the thigh muscles induced cycling leg movements. Spastic muscle tone was measured clinically using the modified Ashworth scale and semiautomatically by pendulum testing of spasticity. This was done before and directly after stimulation. The patient was able to endure the stimulation for 30 minutes; there was a significant reduction of spasticity after each stimulation session.

The authors conclude, that this type of stimulation could be another potential treatment modality for multiple sclerosis patients, especially those with a high score in the expanded disability Status scale.