Research Evidence
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MS Society campaign for FES (May 2022)
This document contains a comprehensive summary of the evidence for FES for people who have MS. The document also contains feedback from FES users. -
New evidence for the cost effectiveness of FES
Two recent papers on the cost effectiveness of ODFS Pace. Linda Renfrew’s paper reports on a randomised controlled trial that was funded by the MS Society and took place in Scotland. Flora Jukes study is a case series of patients receiving ... -
Comparison of AFO and FES for correction of dropped foot
Comparison of AFO and FES for correction of dropped foot. -
In Touch Article May 2015
New evidence for the use of technology to improve walking in Multiple Sclerosis and Stroke The Department of Clinical Science and Engineering at Salisbury District Hospital has published the largest case series to date of people who have Multiple Sclerosis (... -
Study summary – Use of FES and AFO’s with peristent foot drop in MS
This provides information on the study being planned in Scotland looking at the use of FES and AFO’s in individuals with persistent footdrop due to MS. -
Study flyer – use of FES and AFO’s with persistent foot drop in MS
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The practical clinical use of Functional Electrical stimulation in the treatment of people with multiple sclerosis (Journal abstract)
Data from a large audit study completed at OML on the use of FES in individuals with MS was presented at the RIMS Annual Conference in Brighton on 6th and 7th June 2014. The findings show ... -
A comparison of external and implanted FES for the correction of dropped foot in MS
This presentation gave an overview of the process involved in the impanted FES system STIMuSTEP and provided audit data on its use in MS. This was presented at the FES User Day in Sheffield on 26th June 2014 -
A home based trial of the Sheffstim electrode array stimulator with automated set-up to assist foot-drop
This presentation provided information on the Sheffstim device and its use unsupervised use in the home environment. It also looked at its effectiveness at correcting drop foot compared to other FES devices available on the market. This was presented at the FES ... -
Large Scale Clinical Audit of Functional Walking Category and Associated Clinically Meaningful Changes for People with MS and Stroke
This presentation delivered the findings from a large audit looking at the effectiveness of lower limb FES on walking speed and walking category in those with Stroke and MS. This was presented at the FES User Day in Sheffield on the 26th June 2014. -
FES User Day Abstracts February 22nd 2013
Abstracts presented at the FES User Day Friday 22nd February 2013 -
FES User Day Summary February 22nd 2013
A Summary of the Day’s Proceedings by Trainee Clinical Scientist Aggie Dimunge. -
The long-term cost-effectiveness of the use of functional electrical stimulation (Journal abstract)
This abstract is an audit of all FES users with drop foot who began using the ODFS in 1999. The results show how long people can benefit from FES and how much it costs. The study suggests that previous estimates of cost ... -
The effect of functional electrical stimulation and exercise on the quality of gait of people with secondary progressive MS (Conference abstract)
Abstract of a study examining the effect of FES for the correction of drop foot and hip instability, in combination with physiotherapy core stability exercises, on the gait of people who have MS. This study was presented at 3rd ... -
The Kinematic Effects of Common Peroneal Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) in Chronic Stroke (CVA) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) using a 3-D Model of the Shoe
Measurements of foot inversion/eversion during gait are of particular interest in people using common peroneal Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). The aim of this project was to characterise gait kinematics with and without FES in 3... -
Shefstim: A clinical trial of automated FES setup for drop foot using the Shefstim electrode array stimulator
While FES is an effective technique of correcting foot-drop for patients with upper motor neuron lesions, a significant minority of FES patients have difficulties finding sites for electrodes which provide an acceptable foot movement. A potential solution to this issue is the use ... -
The cost-effectiveness of the ODFS and STIMuSTEP
This article revisits the original cost-effectiveness that was done for the DEC report and brings in other factors such as reduction of falls. The same analysis is also applied to the STIMuSTEP. The QALY analysis shows that the ODFS and STIMuSTEP (implanted ... -
The use of FES for the correction of drop foot in MS (Conference paper)
This article summarises early developments of using FES for the correction of drop foot in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. It was presented at the RiMS meeting in Belgium in 2003. -
Spatiotemporal and kinematic effect of peroneal nerve stimulation versus an ankle-foot orthosis in patients with multiple sclerosis: a case series (Journal abstract)
A comparison between ODFS use, AFO use and no intervention for 4 participants with MS. Participants were new to the ODFS. The study showed that ODFS users obtained greater dorsiflexion at heel strike. Other gait parameters were more variable. ... -
Using the Odstock Dropped Foot Stimulator: Users and Partner’s Perspectives (Conference abstract)
This qualitative study examined the opinions of users of the ODFS and their partners. The study indicated a significant impact on the life of ODFS users and carers. -
Recent findings regarding the efficacy of functional electrical stimulation in patients with chronic hemiplegia and multiple sclerosis: a narrative literature review (Journal abstract)
A review of research into the use of FES for correction of drop foot in MS patients. This literature review identifies that there are a number of benefits from FES in MS patients including gait parameters and acceptance of the device ... -
Long term therapeutic and orthotic effects of a foot drop stimulator on walking performance in progressive and nonprogressive neurological disorders (Journal abstract)
This paper presents case series data for FES users who had progressive (mostly MS) and none progressive (stroke and SCI) conditions resulting in drop foot. The study showed that both groups responded well with the device but the training effect seen in MS ... -
A randomized trial to investigate the effects of functional electrical stimulation and therapeutic exercise on walking performance for people with multiple sclerosis (Journal abstract)
This abstract summarises the randomised trial of the ODFS in people who had secondary progressive MS. The control group received physiotherapy exercises. This quantatative study showed significant increases in walking speed and distance walked in 3 minutes when FES was ... -
Retrospective study of patients using Functional Electrical Stimulation for drop foot correction and increased hip stability (Conference publication)
This audit examined the effect of using FES for hip extension and drop foot correction in stroke and MS patients in Salisbury. The audit identified that patients who used a two channel FES stimulator found that the technique was ... -
The Effects of the Odstock Drop Foot Stimulator on Perceived Quality of Life for People With Stroke and Multiple Sclerosis (Journal abstract)
This study demonstrated that both MS and CVA patients who use the ODFS demonstrated an increase in quality of life measured using PIADS (psychological impact of assistive devices). While there was an overall increase in walking speed when FES was used, there was ... -
The use of electrical stimulation for correction of dropped foot in subjects with upper motor neuron lesions
This article published in “Advances in clinical neuroscience and rehabilitation” gives an overview of the use of FES for the correction of drop foot. It includes early research and clinical development of the Odstock Dropped Foot Stimulator. -
Impact on activities of daily living using a functional electrical stimulation device to improve dropped foot in people with multiple sclerosis, measured by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (Journal abstract)
This randomised controlled trial with people with secondary progressive MS demonstrated that use of FES improved activities of daily living (as measured by the COPM) and gave a reduction in the number of falls. No significant changes were seen in the ... -
Does the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure determine if the Odstock drop foot stimulator improves activities of daily living for people with Multiple Sclerosis? (Conference abstract)
A preliminary report of an RCT comparing FES and physiotherapy in MS patients. This publication particularly focuses on the affect on activities of daily living. -
The efficacy of Functional Electrical Stimulation in improving walking ability for people with Multiple Sclerosis (Conference publication)
A summary of the early clinical experience of using the ODFS and O2CHSII with people with MS in Salisbury. Analysis of this patient group showed improvement in orthotic effect whilst using FES and a reduction in effort (measured by the ... -
Optimising two channel stimulation to improve walking following stroke (Conference publication)
This study looked at the effect of combining dropped foot correction with hamstring stimulation or calf stimulation using a two-channel stimulator in CVA patients. Both set-ups resulted in improvements in walking speed and PCI. -
Neuroprosthetic effect of peroneal nerve stimulation in multiple sclerosis: a preliminary study (Journal abstract)
This preliminary study looked at using FES in MS patients during gait related tasks. The full article is published in Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 Feb;90(2):362-5. -
The Case for FES
A summary of the published evidence for using the ODFS. The article summarises the Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT’s), case series and economic evaluations (QALY and cost benefit) for using the ODFS for correction of drop foot. It also ... -
ODFS Reference list
A list of research references for the ODFS, STIMuSTEP and other FES dropped foot stimulators. This list is updated regularly. -
How long do people use the ODFS for? (Conference abstract)
This audit looked at all ODFS users who started using the device in 1999 or 2004. The study shows that the average time the ODFS was used for was about 5 years. 26% of ODFS users were still using the device in 2010. The ODFS is ... -
Clinical Use of the Odstock Dropped Foot Stimulator. Its Effect on the Speed and Effort of Walking (Journal abstract)
This paper was the the first to show a statistically significant training effect from the use of FES for the correction of dropped foot in people who have had a stroke. The paper describes the results from 151 people with stroke, MS or SCI ... -
Patients’ Perceptions of the Odstock Dropped Foot Stimulator (ODFS) (Journal abstract)
This qualitative study looked at patients’ perceptions of using FES. A questionnaire was sent out to current and old patients asking them why they used FES and any reasons for discontinuing. The full article is published in ... -
Provision of a clinical service for the correction of dropped foot (Conference publication)
A detailed narrative of how the FES service at Odstock, Salisbury started.
Clinical Guidelines
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How to access FES (MS Society publication)
This is an excellent publication by the MS society that provides good background information and lots of practical advice that can be useful for any patient who is trying to get funding for FES treatment. Although this publication was produced for the benefit ... -
The DEC report: Report to the Development Evaluation Committee. Common peroneal stimulation for the correction of drop-foot
This report was presented to the South and West Regional Health Authority Development and Evaluation Committee in 1996. The report contained a QALY analysis of the ODFS using data collected in the original randomised controlled trial of stroke patients (Burridge 1997) and additional data collected ...
Clinical Advice
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Use of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for chronic constipation & People with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS)
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Swansea FES service: recent developments and outcome measures
This presentation describes the development of the FES service in Swansea. It also describes the outcome measures used, including speed and PCI over 10metres and patient surveys. The RS scan and Silicaon Coach are also introduced and may be used in gathering ... -
Referral Criteria and contraindications for FES
This article describes the referral criteria and contraindications for people wishing to receive FES treatment at OML. -
Using the ODFS as part of physiotherapy
The ODFS is not only a practical everyday mobility aid but is also a useful tool in the physio gym. This article describes how functional electrical stimulation by using the ODFS can be used in gait re-education following stroke, iSCI ... -
Salisbury FES service- iFESs FES Workshop Korea 2009
A summary of a workshop given at the 2009 IFESS meeting in Korea. The talk gave a practical description of the clinical FES treatments provided in Salisbury including FES in gait (ODFS III, two-channel, STIMuSTEP) and upper limb rehabilitation (including the REaCH stimultor). -
Full referral criteria and clinical pathway
A summary document providing all the essential information for clinicians making a referral for FES treatment. An introduction is given to FES and the main research evidence described. The referral criteria and clinical procedures are then described for both FES for walking and upper ...