The project RISE

 
The general view was that the stimulation of degenerated muscles is impossible. However, recent research has shown that FES is a powerful tool for regeneration, functional restoration and preservation of degenerated muscles.
In November 2001, the European project RISE started with a duration of four years, to explore the opportunities for the application of FES with degenerated muscles. The project is being implemented by six different European institutes. There is also collaboration with institutes in Australia and USA.

 
In muscles with an intact lower motor neuron, activation of the muscles nerve makes sure that all muscle fibres are activated. When the nerve to the muscle no longer operates, a muscle contraction can only be achieved by stimulation of each individual muscle fibres. To activate enough muscle fibres at once, a homogeneous electric field has to be created at the height of the muscle. This needs a lot of electricity, which causes a problem: the chance that surrounding muscles are activated also.

 
Research data up to now has shown that muscular tissue that has been inactive for more than 10 years is able to recover. However it takes a daily application of intensive electrical stimulation for years. The necessary electrical pulses have a much higher intensity than the current FES applications. Based on European directives, the current FES devices have a maximum impulse intensity of 0.3 joules.

 
However, as the muscle tissue recovers, significantly less intensive FES is sufficient. For muscles, that are no longer than 2 years degenerated, the application of FES is easier and a significantly shorter recovery period necessary.

 
Additional information about the project RISE can be found on the website of the medical faculty of the University of Vienna.