Educational Media Reviews Online

This video examines recent advances in the area of functional electrical stimulation, or FES. FES is designed to interface with biological structures such as muscles and nerves in an attempt to restore some level of function for people with central nervous system disabilities. Several people who are currently experimenting with and testing these systems are featured in the film. Most of them have had some type of sports or car accident that has left them with a severe spinal cord injury. FES systems use implanted electrodes, controlled by external computer devices, to enable these people to stand, transfer, and even to walk under controlled conditions. Some FES systems even enable quadriplegic patients to regain the use of their arms and hands, and one particular individual is focused on in the video who has regained some mobility in this area.

Several FES centers around the world are featured in the film, including the Cleveland FES center, the leading one in North America. What I found particularly interesting, was that the film spent quite a bit of time on FES activities in other countries, particularly France and Italy. Patients from these countries are interviewed, and it is interesting to see how experts and patients in these countries are coping with their situations. An especially moving story is given by a young French professor of economics who severed his spinal cord in a car accident, and how FES technology has enabled him to have a life again with his family and children. He is very free with his thoughts and opinions regarding current technology in this area, and provides a very moving picture of how FES technology can change life for those with spinal cord injuries. Highly recommended, this film is a unique blend of real-life interviews, computer animation, and open discussion with the experts and scientists who are working in this area. It is truly amazing what can be done currently in FES, and the future looks very bright for its further development and application.