Welcome

Established in 1991, the FES Center is a consortium with three institutional partners: Cleveland VA Medical Center (CVMAC), the private educational institution of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), and the public hospital system of MetroHealth Medical Center (MHMC).

The Center focuses on the application of electrical currents to either generate or suppress activity in the nervous system. This technique is known as functional electrical stimulation (FES). FES can produce and control the movement of otherwise paralyzed limbs for standing and hand grasp, activate visceral bodily functions such as bladder control or respiration, create perceptions such as skin sensibility, arrest undesired activity such as pain or spasm, and facilitate natural recovery and accelerate motor relearning.

The Functional Electrical Stimulation Center was founded to introduce FES into clinical practice. Our challenge is to translate fundamental knowledge of electrical stimulation of paralyzed nerves and muscles into useful systems that enhanced the independence and quality of life for people with disabilities. We advance toward this goal by integrating and facilitating the efforts of scientists, engineers, and clinicians across the institutional partners.

In an exciting environment of leading scientists, engineers, clinicians, students, and fellows working together, we explore new techniques of medical rehabilitation and enable FES knowledge to develop into useful products. We are pleased to provide systems that assist people in improving their lives after the devastating consequences of central nervous system trauma and paralysis.