Method for functional electrical stimulation therapy
A functional electrical stimulation method for rehabilitating, treating, retraining, and/or otherwise improving upper extremity mobility and control in persons having impaired or disabled upper extremities due to stroke or spinal cord injury, comprising stimulation of the lumbricalis muscles.
1. A method for functional electrical stimulation therapy comprising the steps of:
a. stimulating at least one finger extensor muscle;
b. stimulating at least one lumbricalis muscle using an electrical pulse;
c. relaxing at least one lumbricalis muscle; and
d. relaxing at least one finger extensor muscle;
wherein steps a-d are repeated at least 5 times.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising a stimulation of at least one interossei muscle of the same hand.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising stimulation of at least one thumb flexor muscle of the same hand.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising stimulation of at least one dorsal interrosseous muscle of the same hand.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein the stimulation of the at least one lumbricalis muscle and the at least one interossei muscle comprises:
placing at least one electrode on a proximal phalanx of a finger, proximal to a metacarpopharangeal joint, on said hand;
placing return electrode on the proximal and posterior part of a wrist on said hand; and
passing an electric current through the at least one electrode to the return electrode.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
e. relaxation of the at least one finger extensor muscle; and
f. stimulation of the at least one finger extensor muscle;
wherein steps e. and f. are performed between steps b. and c. and accordingly repeated at least 5 times.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
e. relaxation of the at least one finger extensor muscle;
f. stimulation of at least one finger flexor muscle;
g. relaxation of the at least one lumbricalis muscle;
h. stimulation of the at least one lumbricalis muscle;
i. relaxation of at least one finger flexor muscle; and
j. stimulation of the at least one finger extensor muscle;
wherein steps e-j are performed between steps b. and c. and accordingly repeated at least 5 times.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
e. relaxation of the at least one finger extensor muscle;
f. stimulation of at least one thumb flexion muscle;
g. relaxation of the at least one thumb flexion muscle; and
h. stimulation of the at least one finger extensor muscle;
wherein steps e-h are performed between steps b. and c. and accordingly repeated at least 5 times.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
e. relaxation of the at least one finger extensor muscle; and
f. stimulation of the at least one finger extensor muscle;
wherein steps e. and f. are performed between steps b. and c. and accordingly repeated at least 5 times.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrical pulse has an amplitude capable of producing desired muscle contractions for carrying out movement and tasks in physiologically accurate manner.
11. The method of claim 4 , wherein the stimulation of at least one dorsal interrosseous muscle of the same hand includes
a. placing at least one cathode electrode on a posterior part of the hand between two metacarpals, on said hand;
b. placing an anode on the proximal and anterior part of a wrist on said hand; and
c. passing an electric current through the at least one electrode to the anode.