We have known for a very long time that the delivery of certain forms of energy, including electrical, to the tissues of the body can bring about physiological and beneficial changes in those tissues. So called electrical stimulation devices are not all the same though, as we shall discuss below.

At Anatomical Concepts we have worked with various forms of electrical stimulation technology since the 1970’s and deal with leading products including the RISE Stimulator, and the RehaMove FES Cycling system and can offer advice and demostrations on request.

In earlier articles in this series, we have seen that motor training can induce constructive neuroplasticity providing that the tasks are practiced in a particular way and are challenging enough to stimulate positive adaptations. The human body is natural adaptive to the stimulus - or lack of it - that is provided.

Athletes learning new skills and training for peak performance in strength or endurance must draw on the same fundamental body resources as those individuals recovering from a neurological condition. There are many differences however in how to approach training due to the nature of the bodies energy systems and how these are influenced by disability.

When we are encouraged for rehabilitation purposes to train intensively, frequently etc we need to be aware of these energy systems and how they affect fatigue and the perception of effort.

In the Bridging the Gap series we are making comparisons between strategies and ideas used in training for elite sport and seeing if they are relevant to rehabilitation. In this article we are looking at the natural “learning process” of neuroplasticity which is the source of much hope and effort in rehabilitation.
The exciting discovery, revealed in glimpses over the last century, that the nervous system is plastic and adaptable even in adulthood, is a source of great hope to people with a spinal cord injury and other disorders such as stroke. We now call this inherent ability of the body to adapt, neuroplasticity, and recognise that the central nervous system (CNS) can undergo structural and functional change in response to new experiences.

One of the first questions that potential FES Cycling system owners might want to know is how much does a system cost? I guess from a potential client’s point of view there is not a lot of point in finding out about all the features and benefits if the cost is out of reach. In this article I can give you some guidance on the approach to pricing we apply to our RehaMove FES Cycling range.

Although pricing will obviously depend on the exact specification of a system, I can do my best to explain some of our thinking at Anatomical Concepts. We haven't set out to offer the least expensive or the most expensive FES bike and ultimately you will judge for yourself whether we offer good value.

In this first article in the “Bridging the Gap” series of articles, I want to encourage you and I to start thinking about motor training for physical rehabilitation as if we were training an elite athlete.

Stroke can be a devastating and life-altering condition that affects a significant number of individuals each year. It can cause permanent damage to the brain, leading to long-term health consequences for patients, their families, and caregivers. As healthcare professionals, it's important for us to understand the recovery rate for stroke patients so that we can educate patients and their families on the outcomes they may expect. In this blog, we'll explore what percentage of stroke patients make a full recovery, what factors affect recovery, and what healthcare professionals can do to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes.