Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Spinal Cord Injuries

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in the Neuromodulation journal has found that functional electrical stimulation (FEST) therapy can improve muscle strength in individuals with chronic spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Researchers from Simon Fraser University conducted a cohort study on 136 muscles treated with FEST from 17 participants with cervical SCI. The study aimed to characterize the timing and magnitude of gains in individual muscle strength during FEST and identify factors predictive of the response.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 69 muscles did not respond to FEST, while 67 muscles showed a median strength increase of one muscle motor score (MMS).
  • Achieving a one-MMS increase in muscle strength required approximately 59 days and 19 FEST sessions.
  • A prediction model highlighted key predictors of responsiveness to FEST, including baseline MMS, characteristics of lesion location/severity, and neurophysiologic indicators of corticospinal tract (CST) integrity.
  • The study's findings can inform rehabilitation medicine guidelines for FEST in cervical SCI and enable more personalized and effective rehabilitation strategies.
  • The study provides insights into the timing and magnitude of gains in individual muscle strength during FEST, which can help identify potential candidates for the treatment.
  • The researchers identified CST integrity and the responsiveness of lower motor neuron pools as key factors influencing FEST outcomes.
  • The study has been peer-reviewed and published in the Neuromodulation journal, with the Clinicaltrials.gov registration number for the study being NCT05462925.

Statistics:

  • 17 participants with chronic cervical SCI were included in the study.
  • 136 muscles were treated with FEST, with 69 muscles not responding to the treatment and 67 muscles showing a median strength increase of one MMS.
  • Achieving a one-MMS increase in muscle strength required approximately 59 days and 19 FEST sessions.
  • The study found a strong correlation between CST integrity and the responsiveness of lower motor neuron pools to FEST.

Sources:

  • Upper Extremity Muscle Recovery Profiles With Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury. Neuromodulation, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Findings on Spinal Cord Injury Described by Researchers at Simon Fraser University (Upper Extremity Muscle Recovery Profiles With Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury). Health & Medicine Week. October 31, 2025; p 1821.