A functional electric stimulation bicycle, or FES bike, is a recumbent bike that uses electric stimulation units to deliver electricity to weak muscles. The electricity turns on and off as the person cycles, helping to contract the muscles when necessary.
The cycle can be set up for someone to bike with their legs, or it can be adapted for someone to cycle with their arms. When a person is preparing to cycle, the clinician places gel electrodes on their skin over the weak muscles. Wires lead from the bike to connect to the electrodes. The level of electricity delivered to each muscle is individually set to the individual’s tolerance. Electricity helps weak or paralyzed muscles contract and promotes neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself in recovery.
FES Cycles are used for people who have had an upper motor neuron injury, such as a spinal cord injury, stroke, or brain injury. There are many benefits of FES Cycles, including decreasing muscle atrophy from disuse, improving local circulation, increasing range of motion, helping to relax muscle spasms, and facilitating muscle re-education. The FES Cycle is not recommended for individuals with metal implants, pacemakers, broken bones, open wounds, a history of cancer, who are pregnant, have peripheral nerve injuries, or other contraindications.
Sheltering Arms Institute houses the FES Cycle technology at our main campus in Short Pump, as well as the Bon Air, Hanover, and Laburnum outpatient centers.
