Maximal functional electrical stimulation as a single treatment: Is it cost-effective?

Abstract

In this series, although MFES was effective in the short term, the long-term treatment outcome was unsatisfactory. A critical review suggests that outcome success is proportional to the patient's ability and willingness to accept quite a high stimulation intensity or, alternatively, follow-up home treatment. Hence, the implementation of strict primary as well as secondary selection criteria can hopefully identify patients most suitable for MFES. Another lesson to be learnt is that the identification of crucial prerequisites of successful treatment is mandatory before embarking on controlled studies.

Efficacy of transcutaneous functional electrical stimulation on urinary incontinence in myelomeningocele: results of a pilot study

“…This kind of treatment can cause hypertrophy of muscle fibers, possibly by the recruitment of motor units with faster conduction and alter the expression of myosin isoforms, favoring a conversion to type l muscle fibers (4). An effect of FES at the peripheral level can be modulation of neurotransmitters such as cholinergic and β-adrenergic system (16).…”

“…Electrical stimulation has been used for the treatment of urinary incontinence in adults for several decades and recently in children (4,5).…”