FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION
FES is the use of low-level electrical stimulation to various parts of the body in order to restore or improve function due to a neurological condition or injury. FES is designed to produce movements or functions that mimic natural voluntary movements to help you lead a more natural life.
The brain sends electrical signals to your body through the nervous system. These signals tell the body how to move. When injury or disease interrupts normal communication between the brain and upper extremities, muscle weakness or paralysis may result. If a muscle and its nerve supply remain healthy, but communication from the brain cannot occur because of a problem with the central nervous system, FES may be used to replace the natural electrical signals from the brain, helping the weak or paralyzed limbs move again. Programs customized for your specific needs and rehabilitation goals may help you perform daily activities2 and also reeducate your muscles over time34.
FES may improve voluntary movement in injured limbs. It may also reeducate your muscles, prevent muscle loss (often called atrophy), maintain or increase joint range of motion and increase local blood flow.
If you have suffered paralysis or paresis as a result of a Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury or Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury, you may be a candidate. You should consult with your physician or clinician to find out if FES is the right treatment for you. A number of factors impact the overall benefit a person will receive from using FES, including the severity and nature of the paralysis, the length of time since the paralysis occurred and how frequently the system is used.
FES is not supposed to hurt. Most people describe FES as a tingling sensation. The initial step is for your therapist to find the appropriate level of stimulation needed, followed by a gradual buildup of intensity over time. Note: There are a number of issues affecting an individual’s tolerance of FES, including electrode size and position, the type of pulse that is administered, the muscle group stimulated, and the intensity of the stimulation. The customized fit of the H200 Hand Rehabilitation System helps to minimize any uncomfortable sensation the stimulation may create.
Before beginning any kind of rehabilitation therapy, it is essential to speak with your physician. In most cases, use of FES can be started almost immediately following your initial injury. Clinical studies show that early use of FES may provide optimal benefits of functional recovery. However, even those patients whose injuries occurred more than a year before starting rehabilitation demonstrated significant improvements.1
Your doctor and therapist can help you determine the length of time you will use FES.
H200 WIRELESS HAND REHABILITATION SYSTEM
What is the H200 Wireless Hand Rehabilitation System?
The H200 Wireless Hand Rehabilitation System is a state-of-the-art Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) system that uses mild stimulation of nerves and muscles to help improve hand function in certain individuals. Customizable programs may help you perform daily activities and reeducate muscles over time.2,3
How does the H200 Wireless Hand Rehabilitation System work?
The H200 Wirless Hand Rehabilitation System has two main parts: the orthosis and the control unit. Your clinician will custom fit the orthosis and set up the control unit with a therapy program designed for you. After the initial fitting, you just put the orthosis on, and you are set to go. Watch the video to see how the H200 Wireless Hand Rehabilitation System works.
What are the potential benefits of the H200 Wireless Hand Rehabilitation System?
The potential benefits are:
Is the H200 Wireless Hand Rehabilitation System only for Stroke patients?
No. It can also be used for Spinal Cord Injuries or Traumatic Brain Injury.
Do I need to have hand and wrist movement to use the H200 Wireless Hand Rehabilitation System?
No. However, your physician will determine if the system is appropriate for you.
When can I start using the H200 Wireless Hand Rehabilitation System?
Ideally, use begins during inpatient rehabilitation and continues at home.
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