Introduction

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal Cord Injury Charities

Functional Electrical
Stimulation

Julie Hill:
The Research Project

Implants to Control
the Bladder and Bowel

Implants to Restore
Leg Function

FES Rowing

Why do FES cycling?

We carried out a Trial
(2003-2006)

Supplier of FES cycling equipment

UCL Implanted Devices Group

Contact Details

Functional Electrical Stimulation

Nerves transmit signals by electro-chemical action. Electric current passed through nerve can excite it, causing both muscle contraction and sensation. Anyone who has had an electric shock knows that! This stimulation of the nervous system is used intentionally in medical diagnosis, for therapy, and to restore lost function. The latter is called Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES).

The heart pacemaker and the cochlear stimulator and probably the most successful uses of FES but there are many others.

Much information can be found at the website of the International FES Society
http://www.ifess.org/Services/ConsumerEd.htm

The most active clinical centre using FES in Britain is Salisbury District Hospital NHS Trust
http://www.salisburyfes.com/

Information about the British FES research network can be found at
http://fesnet.eng.gla.ac.uk/