Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is an innovative therapeutic technique that uses electrical impulses to stimulate nerves and muscles, helping restore movement and function.
While widely used in adult rehabilitation, its application in children is increasingly gaining attention for its potential to improve motor skills, assist with neurological conditions, and promote independence.
What is FES?
FES involves delivering controlled electrical pulses to specific muscles or nerves via surface electrodes.
This stimulation can activate muscles to facilitate movements such as walking, balance, grasping, or maintaining posture.
The goal is to promote muscle strength through assisted muscle contractions using the electrical signals which stimulates the nerves.
How does FES feel?
The sensation of FES is a little like pins and needles, the sensation builds and lessens as the frequency rises and falls during a muscle contraction.
There are things our physiotherapists can do to help improve comfort and compliance when adapting and getting use to the sensation.
Benefits of Functional Electrical Stimulation in Children
- Improved Motor Function: FES can enhance muscle strength and coordination, aiding children with conditions like cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or traumatic injuries.
- Promotes Neuroplasticity: Regular FES use can encourage the development of new neural pathways, supporting recovery and skill acquisition.
- Facilitates Early Intervention: In young children, FES can be integrated into therapy to maximise developmental outcomes and used for postural control.
- Enhanced Independence: By improving gross and fine motor skills, FES helps children perform daily activities with less assistance.
Is my child suitable for treatment?
Whilst there is no age limit to using FES, we suggest children from 3-4 years old may be suitable following a thorough physical and cognitive assessment and/ or in collaboration with your paediatrician or neurologist. We require your child to be able to understand, follow simple instructions and participate in therapy.
Common conditions where FES is indicated are as follows: –
- Stroke
- Spinal Cord Injury
- MS
- Transverse Myelitis (upper or lower limb)
- Traumatic brain injury
- Cerebral Palsy
How is FES used in Children?
- Exercise Mode: Functional Electrical Stimulation can be used to target specific muscles groups to strengthen them and improve function such as thigh strengthening following a period of immobility.
- Gait Training: Assisting children with walking difficulties by stimulating key leg muscles during ambulation such as foot drop.
- Enhanced Independence: By improving gross and fine motor skills, FES helps children perform daily activities with less assistance.
- Upper Limb Rehabilitation: Improving hand and arm movements in children with hemiplegia or early motor delays.
- Post-Stroke and Neurological Injury: Supporting recovery in children affected by stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Safety and Considerations
FES is generally safe when administered by trained professionals. It’s important to tailor stimulation parameters to each child’s needs and monitor for discomfort or adverse reactions. Early consultation with paediatric neurologists and physical therapists is essential to determine suitability. The size and position of the electrodes may be different in children. The waveform maybe symmetrical rather asymmetrical for added comfort.
Challenges and Future Directions
While promising, FES implementation in children requires further research to optimise protocols, equipment, and long-term effects.
Combining FES with other therapies like constraint induced physical therapy, general rehabilitation and assistive orthotics devices it can provide excellent results.
Conclusion
Functional Electrical Stimulation offers a powerful tool in paediatric rehabilitation, fostering motor development and independence in children with neurological impairments. As research progresses, FES holds the potential to transform outcomes and quality of life for many young patients.
How we can help
The physiotherapists and orthotists at Let’s Go Physio are experienced in treating patients with neurological conditions and our friendly and caring approach means that you can be confident you are receiving treatment of the highest quality.
For more information about FES treatments at Let’s Go Physio or to book an
assessment please call us today on 01282 222720 or get in touch here.