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Review
. 2012 Jun;85(2):201-15.
Epub 2012 Jun 25.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for skeletal muscle function

Barbara M Doucet  1 , Amy Lam, Lisa Griffin
Affiliations
Review

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for skeletal muscle function

Barbara M Doucet et al. Yale J Biol Med. 2012 Jun.

Abstract

Lack of neural innervation due to neurological damage renders muscle unable to produce force. Use of electrical stimulation is a medium in which investigators have tried to find a way to restore movement and the ability to perform activities of daily living. Different methods of applying electrical current to modify neuromuscular activity are electrical stimulation (ES), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and functional electrical stimulation (FES). This review covers the aspects of electrical stimulation used for rehabilitation and functional purposes. Discussed are the various parameters of electrical stimulation, including frequency, pulse width/duration, duty cycle, intensity/amplitude, ramp time, pulse pattern, program duration, program frequency, and muscle group activated, and how they affect fatigue in the stimulated muscle.

Keywords: functional; paralysis; rehabilitation; spinal cord injury; stroke.

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