title: Functional electrical stimulation for the upper limb in tetraplegic spinal cord injury: a systematic review.
abstract: Technological advances have helped to improve functional ability in spinal cord injury survivors. The aim of this study is to systematically review the evidence for functional electrical stimulation (FES) on functional tasks involving the upper limb in people with spinal cord injuries. The authors systematically searched from September 2009 to September 2014 in relevant databases using a combination of keywords covering spinal cord injury and FES. Studies were selected using pre-determined criteria. The search yielded 144 studies. Only five studies met the inclusion criteria. All five reported improvements immediately and at follow-up in functional ability as a result of FES or FES combined with conventional therapy. There is some preliminary evidence that FES may reduce disability due to upper limb-related activity limitations in tetraplegic spinal cord injury. Further work needs to examine the role of FES in more detail and in combination with other treatments.
authors.affiliation: a Academic Department of Rehabilitation Medicine , University of Leeds , D Floor, Martin Wing, LGI , Leeds LS1 3EX , UK .|b Yorkshire Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, Pinderfields General Hospital , Wakefield , UK .
authors.forename: Siddeshwar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: b Yorkshire Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, Pinderfields General Hospital , Wakefield , UK .
authors.forename: Wajid A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Raza
authors.affiliation: b Yorkshire Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, Pinderfields General Hospital , Wakefield , UK .
authors.forename: Firas
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jamil
authors.affiliation: b Yorkshire Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, Pinderfields General Hospital , Wakefield , UK .
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caley
authors.affiliation: a Academic Department of Rehabilitation Medicine , University of Leeds , D Floor, Martin Wing, LGI , Leeds LS1 3EX , UK .|c National Demonstration Centre in Rehabilitation Medicine, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust , Leeds , UK , and.|d NIHR D4D Healthcare Technology Co-operative.
authors.forename: Rory J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: O'Connor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011782:Quadriplegia; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Functional electrical stimulation; rehabilitation; spinal cord injury; upper limb