Anybody know what this is called?

member325671 · 09-11-2005, 04:28 PM

BNN: British Nursing News Online

New gadget to help paralysed exercise

Engineers from Glasgow's University and Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit have developed a gadget that produces electrical signals which could help the paralysed to exercise and keep fit.

Tetraplegic Sean Roake increased his muscle strength and cardiopulmonary fitness with three half-hour sessions a week for several months.

"Everyday activities such as wheelchair-to-car transfers are so much easier now," he said.

He added "I feel extremely positive knowing that I've taken responsibility for improving my health by exercising regularly using this system”.

The device uses small electrodes placed on the skin to deliver pulses of electricity to the paralysed muscles. The electrodes can be placed on the nerves serving the bicep and triceps muscles of the arm so the user is able to work an arm-exercise machine.

These signals replace those that would normally come from the brain via the nerves in healthy people.

A computer can control the strength of the signals sent to suit the needs of the individual.

Paul Smith, director of the Spinal Injuries Association, said the technique had enormous benefits.

"It is not a cure. But it not only helps with cardiovascular health but can help relieve things like pressure sores because it builds up muscle bulk. "It's a means of being able to maintain not just physical health but body image”.

A spokeswoman for the Stroke Association said: "Although it remains to be seen how much this technology can enhance the quality of life for stroke patients suffering paralysis, the Stroke Association welcomes any new developments or technologies that have this potential”.

Sponsored by The Nursing Portal

Jeff · 09-11-2005, 04:43 PM

Pixie - FES "biking" is really common. Using electricity to make our muscles contract so that we pedal an exercise bike. A dozen or more of our members have posted about using their FES bikes.

Here's one manufacturer:

http://www.musclepower.com/

Here's a new design recently approved by US FDA:

http://www.restorative-therapies.com...t300/rt300.htm

FES Rowing combines upper body exercise [paras only] for a truly kick-butt workout:

http://www.concept2.co.uk/birc/news....egic_rowers%20

Eventually, leg pedaling via FES will be a much better way to power a wheelchair as evidenced by this study:

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a new leg-propelled wheelchair provides enhanced efficiency and mobility to wheelchair users. DESIGN: Observational; subjects were tested while wheeling with the arms and legs and while walking (where possible) for 4-minute periods in random order with approximately 10-minute rest periods between exercise sets. SETTING: Tests were done on an indoor 200-meter track. PATIENTS: Group 1, 13 controls; group 2, 9 persons with complete spinal cord injury (SCI); group 3, 13 persons with other motor disorders (retaining some voluntary control of the legs). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physiological Cost Index (PCI), (computed as change in heart rate divided by velocity of movement) and oxygen consumption (VO(2)) RESULTS: Arm wheeling took significantly more effort (mean PCI =.52 beats/m) than walking (.33 beats/m) in control subjects. Leg wheeling was most efficient (.23), requiring less than half the effort of arm wheeling and 30% less effort than walking. For SCI subjects, leg wheeling with functional electric stimulation (FES) required less than half the effort (.18) of arm wheeling (.40). The FES group could not walk. Subjects in group 3 could walk, but with substantial effort (1.81) compared with arm (.76) or leg wheeling (.64). Results for VO(2) were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Better wheelchair efficiency can be obtained for many disabled individuals, by moving the leg muscles voluntarily or with FES.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Citation

member325671 · 09-11-2005, 05:03 PM

Ah yeah ok, ive heard of them .... cheers. FES has been around a while right?

but i thought this was something different - they developed it this August?

Jeff · 09-11-2005, 05:19 PM

Pixie - Using FES to cause someone to pedal an ergometer with their arms sounds brand new to me. I'm sure it's a good idea and really healthy for upper injuries. It will reduce spasticity in the arms without medication, prevent/reverse atrophy and prevent pressure sores. Those who have high cervical injuries have these problems in all four limbs.

Chris Chappell · 09-13-2005, 02:46 PM

Sorry, I don't see the "newness" in this "gadget". E-stim (Elecrical Stimulation) has been used for decades. Maybe the apllication is "new" to them?

Either way, yes, E-stim is good for paralyzed muscles.

member325671 · 09-13-2005, 02:50 PM

I think Jeff was right when he said that incorporating the arms to drive the ergometer is the 'discovery'

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Chappell

Sorry, I don't see the "newness" in this "gadget". E-stim (Elecrical Stimulation) has been used for decades. Maybe the apllication is "new" to them?

Either way, yes, E-stim is good for paralyzed muscles.

09-11-2005, 04:28 PM	#1
member325671 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 166	Anybody know what this is called? BNN: British Nursing News Online New gadget to help paralysed exercise Engineers from Glasgow's University and Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit have developed a gadget that produces electrical signals which could help the paralysed to exercise and keep fit. Tetraplegic Sean Roake increased his muscle strength and cardiopulmonary fitness with three half-hour sessions a week for several months. "Everyday activities such as wheelchair-to-car transfers are so much easier now," he said. He added "I feel extremely positive knowing that I've taken responsibility for improving my health by exercising regularly using this system”. The device uses small electrodes placed on the skin to deliver pulses of electricity to the paralysed muscles. The electrodes can be placed on the nerves serving the bicep and triceps muscles of the arm so the user is able to work an arm-exercise machine. These signals replace those that would normally come from the brain via the nerves in healthy people. A computer can control the strength of the signals sent to suit the needs of the individual. Paul Smith, director of the Spinal Injuries Association, said the technique had enormous benefits. "It is not a cure. But it not only helps with cardiovascular health but can help relieve things like pressure sores because it builds up muscle bulk. "It's a means of being able to maintain not just physical health but body image”. A spokeswoman for the Stroke Association said: "Although it remains to be seen how much this technology can enhance the quality of life for stroke patients suffering paralysis, the Stroke Association welcomes any new developments or technologies that have this potential”. Sponsored by The Nursing Portal

09-11-2005, 04:43 PM	#2
Jeff Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 6,858	Pixie - FES "biking" is really common. Using electricity to make our muscles contract so that we pedal an exercise bike. A dozen or more of our members have posted about using their FES bikes. Here's one manufacturer: http://www.musclepower.com/ Here's a new design recently approved by US FDA: http://www.restorative-therapies.com...t300/rt300.htm FES Rowing combines upper body exercise [paras only] for a truly kick-butt workout: http://www.concept2.co.uk/birc/news....egic_rowers%20 Eventually, leg pedaling via FES will be a much better way to power a wheelchair as evidenced by this study: OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a new leg-propelled wheelchair provides enhanced efficiency and mobility to wheelchair users. DESIGN: Observational; subjects were tested while wheeling with the arms and legs and while walking (where possible) for 4-minute periods in random order with approximately 10-minute rest periods between exercise sets. SETTING: Tests were done on an indoor 200-meter track. PATIENTS: Group 1, 13 controls; group 2, 9 persons with complete spinal cord injury (SCI); group 3, 13 persons with other motor disorders (retaining some voluntary control of the legs). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physiological Cost Index (PCI), (computed as change in heart rate divided by velocity of movement) and oxygen consumption (VO(2)) RESULTS: Arm wheeling took significantly more effort (mean PCI =.52 beats/m) than walking (.33 beats/m) in control subjects. Leg wheeling was most efficient (.23), requiring less than half the effort of arm wheeling and 30% less effort than walking. For SCI subjects, leg wheeling with functional electric stimulation (FES) required less than half the effort (.18) of arm wheeling (.40). The FES group could not walk. Subjects in group 3 could walk, but with substantial effort (1.81) compared with arm (.76) or leg wheeling (.64). Results for VO(2) were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Better wheelchair efficiency can be obtained for many disabled individuals, by moving the leg muscles voluntarily or with FES. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Citation __________________ ~See you at the CareCure-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion ~

09-11-2005, 05:19 PM	#4
Jeff Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 6,858	Pixie - Using FES to cause someone to pedal an ergometer with their arms sounds brand new to me. I'm sure it's a good idea and really healthy for upper injuries. It will reduce spasticity in the arms without medication, prevent/reverse atrophy and prevent pressure sores. Those who have high cervical injuries have these problems in all four limbs. __________________ ~See you at the CareCure-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion ~

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09-11-2005, 05:03 PM	#3
member325671 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 166	Ah yeah ok, ive heard of them .... cheers. FES has been around a while right? but i thought this was something different - they developed it this August?

09-13-2005, 02:46 PM	#5
Chris Chappell Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 7,035	Sorry, I don't see the "newness" in this "gadget". E-stim (Elecrical Stimulation) has been used for decades. Maybe the apllication is "new" to them? Either way, yes, E-stim is good for paralyzed muscles.