Electrical stimulation: new methods for therapy and rehabilitation.

Electrical stimulation is emerging as a new therapeutic and rehabilitative agent. Reviewed are pain control, restoration of lost functions and alteration of abnormal movement and other functions using electrical stimulation. Reported for acute and chronic pain control use are transcutaneous, dorsal column, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and direct brain stimulation methods and results. Overall success ranges up to 50% for chronic pain problems and up to 80% for acute pain; e.g., postoperative incisional pain, sports medicine, and trauma. Restoration of lost function has broad implications for the future. These include phrenic nerve pacing for respiration, foot drop control, restoration of bladder function, and grasp control in the spinal cord-injured patient. Amelioration of abnormal function includes stimulation for epilepsy and cerebral palsy, certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis and scoliosis. The effects of electrostimulation are completely reversible and nondestructive. Technical details of devices and stimulus waveforms are also briefly considered.