Electrical Stimulation for Children with Spina Bifida and Cerebral Palsy
What is Electrical Stimulation?
Electrical stimulation (e-stim) can be used as part of a physical therapy program for children with neurological diagnosis such as spina bifida and cerebral palsy. There are a wide variety of applications to use e-stim depending on the functional goals the family and the therapeutic team have set. These goals include but are not limited to maximizing strength, increasing mobility of the joints, rolling, crawling, having a better posture in sitting, and being able to stand up and walk.
Electrical Stimulation can be given transcutaneously where the sensation of the current is involved, so the amplitude or intensity must be set a comfotable level. Some examples of transcutaneous ES are Non Invasive Spinal Electrical Stimulation (NISE-Stim), Functional ES, Spinal Neuromodulation.
Non-Invasive Spinal Electrical Stimulation (NISE-Stim)
It uses surface electrodes to deliver safe electrical currents for spinal and muscle stimulation. NISE-Stim stimulates the spinal cord, nerves, brain, and autonomic nervous system to enhance communication within the nervous system, support neural regeneration, and improve motor function. The therapy applies electrodes on the spinal cord and targeted muscle groups to activate and support movement. During the initial assessment, the therapist can evaluate the sensory and motor response in specific muscles which allows for measuring outcomes in an objective way. Parents and caregivers are an essential part of the process. During the sessions, they learn how to carry out a personalized home exercise program, which helps speed up results and reinforce gains made during conventional therapy.
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
One of the most common types of e-stim is FES. It is the application of electrical current to a muscle, a group of muscles or nerves to facilitate a motor activity.
Applying FES during a meaningful and functional activity, will facilitate the initiation of movement, and so the brain starts to create different neuron pathways (or so called neuroplasticity) which allows the motor learning to happen. FES used during gait training improves the muscle unit recruitment, and the gains in performance are faster.
Can my child receive NISE-Stim and FES?
Yes! During sessions, we often combine NISE-Stim and FES. NISE-Stim works by enhancing the connection between the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, while FES directly strengthens muscles by activating them during functional activities. When combined, these two approaches not only improve how the nerves and muscles communicate but also build muscle strength in meaningful, everyday movements.
Building strength and movement through Electrical Stimulation
The picture above shows a 22 month old girl with level L4 spina bifida using electrodes on her legs during a functional activity while standing. The electrodes are placed on the quadriceps and adductors to activate them, and to improve her ability to stand up. She has been using functional e-stim in combination with spinal cord stimulation for 5 months, and has made great progress in her developmental skills. Currently, she rolls from her back to her belly, and she independently pushes up to sit on the floor. She is starting to crawl, to pull herself up and to independently stand up for a few seconds. Her family is extremely dedicated with a home program using e-stim, and has compiled an amazing medical and therapeutic team to help her get stronger and thrive.
At Sol Shine PT, we provide an individualized evaluation and specialized treatment for babies and children with neurological conditions such as spina bifida and cerebral palsy. Our goals are to educate families on how to use the device for electrical stimulation, to promote correct alignment during the activities, and to achieve their motor milestones.
Book a consult to let us know how we can help your baby or child to reach their milestones.