Exercise
Strengthening muscles with electrical stimulation
Electrical stimulation can be a useful form of exercise when there is insufficient voluntary controlled movement to make effective contractions. By repetitive graded contractions of muscle, it is possible to have the same beneficial exercise effects as voluntary exercise. The main effects are:
- Increase in muscle bulk. This can be beneficial in improving the padding over bony prominences to help avoid pressure sores and also to improve the body’s appearance
- Increase in muscle strength. Where muscles are partially paralysed, exercise can lead to more effective function.
- Reduction in spasticity. Regular electrical stimulation exercise can lead to a reduction in muscle tone resulting in improved range of motion.
- Improved local circulation. Electrical stimulation has been shown to increase the local blood supply, improving skin and tissue condition.
- Improved fatigue resistance. Regular exercise can improve the length of time muscle contractions can be maintained for
- Re-education of movement. In some cases, exercise of muscle may lead to improved voluntary control and greater awareness of the effected limb.
Typical applications of muscle exercise are:
- Strengthening of muscles prior to walking following stroke, MS or spinal cord injury
- Exercise of lower limb muscle groups following paraplegia and tetraplegia to improve body image, control spasticity and prevent pressure sores.
- Improvement of upper limb function (see next section)
- Control of spasticity in late stage MS.
- Treatment of contracture in stroke, head injury and CP often used in conjunction with botulinum toxin and/or splinting
OML have two dedicated exercise stimulators - the Microstim 2v2 and the Odstock 4-Channel Stimulator. Additionally, the ODFS Pace has an exercise mode, which is ideal for muscle training prior to walking.
