Thursday September 09 , 2010
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Site Purpose

Guide to FES CyclingThis site has two intentions.  Information about FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) - and in particular FES Cycling.  The second is to offer support and information to our clients. 

If you would like a Guide Document to FES Cycling please Click Here and complete the form or Click the Image to Request a Copy

What is FES Cycling?

FES Cycling is an effective way of keeping fit when, following a spinal cord injury, regular exercise is difficult to get.

This is a therapeutic activity that uses transcutaneous electrical current to initiate muscle contractions of paralysed lower limbs in persons who have sustained a spinal cord injury or been affected by stroke or MS.

The order and strength of the muscle contractions are controlled by computer to generate the power to pedal a stationary cycle. The aim is not to provide passive motion - but to actively engage the muscles to generate muscle strength and improve fitness.

Benefits

Key benefits of FESCycling exercise are as follows:

  • Cardio-pulmonary fitness
  • Rebuild muscle strength and bulk
  • Improve bone density
  • Improve blood circulation
  • Improve intestinal & bladder function
  • Improve response to insulin (diabetes)
  • Decrease limb spasticity
  • Improved feelings of well-being

FES is a useful in many cerebral motor lesions of the lower limbs including Paraplegia/ Spinal Cord Injury and Stroke

New software is powerful tool for therapy

RehaStim UnitRehaStim has proved itself to be very effective for FES Cycling.  Partnered with a MOTOmed motion trainer, we have many clients around the world routinely exercising at home.  Whether following spinal cord injury or post-acute stroke, this technology has an evidence base supporting its use.  It’s often not considered therapy any more – this is about enhancing quality of life.

However, RehaStim DOES have a powerful role to assist therapists 

who have more general muscle stimulation needs. When you don’t want to use FES as part of a fixed FES Cycling regime there is a version of RehaStim for you.

RehaStim can now be loaded with Sequence Mode software and used as a stand-alone device or even with your own custom motion trainers.  Using a very simple touch screen interface the therapist can set up and store a unique stimulation programme.

For example, suppose you wish to use a custom exercise cycle and in order to achieve cycling you need to activate particular muscles, for a defined length of time in a sequence one after the other.  Or, as a therapist you recognise the potential value in activating particular muscles in sequence during gait rehabilitation.

With Sequence Mode you can select as few as 1 or as many as 8 channels and control the stimulation parameters.

If hospitals are already using a MOTOmed motion trainer they now are increasingly adding RehaStim to offer FES Cycling to their patients.  Now they can go even further and add Sequence Mode software to make their RehaStim an even more flexible and powerful tool.
 

About Us

Anatomical Concepts (UK) Ltd are Masters of Rehabilitation Engineering. Working with private individuals, healthcare professionals, businesses and the NHS since 1996.

See our Corporate Site

Contact Us

Anatomical Concepts (UK) Ltd
8-10 Dunrobin Court
Clydebank Business Park
Clydebank
Scotland

E: info@fescycling.com
T:+44(0)141-952-2323

Registered in Scotland No SC162409

Hasomed GmbH

 

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