FES Cycling - Q&A

Questions and Answers July 2012 - RehaMove and RehaBike - FES Cycling What does an FES Cycle do? Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) has long been a research technique activate paralysed muscle with low levels of pulsed electrical current. The current is applied using adhesive pads (electrodes) over the muscles in question. The equipment we offer (RehaMove and RehaBike) builds on this research and combines a sophisticated system of delivering stimulation to muscles with a motorised ergometer (cycle). The stimulation unit (RehaStim) included as part of a RehaMove or RehaBike system is a very flexible and powerful system that can coordinate the stimulation of up to 8 muscle groups with the movement of the pedals of the cycle (or an arm crank too if the model has the arm training accessory). By adjusting the stimulation, the user can easily set exercise targets to work progressively against resistance. Individuals can gain important health benefits through regular use.

RehaMove One used

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Can I use your FES cycling equipment? Almost certainly if you have a spinal cord injury with an intact lower motor neuron - the equipment can be used whether you are sensory complete or incomplete - best chance is between C5 and T9. Check out the benefits, features and contraindications over the page. The system is also indicated for use following a stroke or with MS and Transverse Myelitis

What if I have been advised that my leg muscles are denervated? If the injury level is such that your leg muscles appear to be denervated, we may have other technology and approaches that can help. With clients that have partial denervation, it may, with persistence be possible to develop a strong enough response to allow an FES Cycle to be used. When muscles are completely denervated we have technology developed in Austria especially for this situation. Please ask about the “Stimulette den2x”

I use a ventilator - does this prevent me from using an FES Bike?

RehaMove One - with arm training accessory

We now have some experience working with clients who use a ventilator. First check with your spinal injuries consultant to get approval to try our system. At the first few sessions we may wish to monitor blood pressure and heart rate responses to exercise.

Why should I use this equipment - after all it won’t cure my fundamental spinal problem? Its important to recognise that this equipment can’t help repair the spinal cord. However, there are now clear benefits for overall health that will certainly help to ensure a user enjoys a better quality of life. Research into this shows that there are benefits to cardiovascular fitness and a range of other tangible health values (see below). Our clients report other benefits that are less easy to quantify by research - sleeping better, reduced difficulty with muscle spasm and simply “feeling better” Clients with other conditions should contact us for specific guidance. Masters of Rehabilitation Engineering anatomicalconcepts.com - info@anatomicalconcepts.com 8-10 Dunrobin Court, Clydebank G81 2QP Scotland t: +44(0)141-952-2323 f:+44(0)141-952-3434