Demand for and Use of Functional Electrical Stimulation Systems and Conventional Orthoses in the Spinal Lesioned Community of the UK

• Published in: Artificial organs Vol. 23; no. 5; pp. 410 - 412
• Main Authors: Maxwell, Douglas J., Granat, Malcolm H., Baardman, Gert, Hermens, Hermie J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston, USA Blackwell Science Inc 01.05.1999
• Subjects: Age Factors; Ankle Joint - physiology; Assistive walking devices; Electric Stimulation Therapy - statistics & numerical data; Foot - physiology; Functional electrical stimulation; Health Services Needs and Demand; Hip Joint - physiology; Humans; Intestines - physiology; Knee Joint - physiology; Middle Aged; Orthotic Devices - statistics & numerical data; Orthotics; Paraplegia - rehabilitation; Paraplegia - therapy; Quadriplegia - rehabilitation; Quadriplegia - therapy; Sexual Behavior - physiology; Spinal Cord Injuries - rehabilitation; Spinal Cord Injuries - therapy; Spinal cord lesion; Surveys and Questionnaires; United Kingdom; Urinary Bladder - physiology; Walking; Walking - physiology
• ISSN: 0160-564X; 1525-1594
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1525-1594.1999.06361.x

The use of and demand for functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems and conventional orthoses in the spinal cord lesioned population was assessed. The assessment was conducted by a postal survey of the members of the spinal injury associations in the U.K. Out of all the respondents, only 2% had used an FES system for walking. In comparison, 13% had used some kind of orthosis. Of the small numbers who had used an FES system for walking, more than half had no functional walking abilities. The majority of orthosis users had some independent walking ability. The demand for walking improvements was high among the respondents although this was not matched by the demand for improved orthotic solutions. In conclusion, it would appear that there is a need for simple FES systems offering walking improvement to the incomplete spinal cord lesioned (SCI) subject.