Muscle electrostimulation and functional recovery of a denervated muscle

Aim. -The purpose of this revue is to focus on research concerning the effect of chronic muscle electrical stimulation after denervation and reinnervation. Actuality. -The therapeutic use of electricity date back to ancient times, when the greeks; used electric eels to treat physical ailment. Today electrotherapy is very commonly applied by certified athletic trainers. Alpha motor neurons, conduct impulses from the spinal cord to the muscle. When the conduction of impulses to muscle is disrupted, the individual loses control of the affected muscle. When the nerve to the muscle is not functioning, the muscle is denervated, or without innervation. Unlike nerve fibers in the central nervous system, peripheral nerve fibers can regenerate and active control of the muscle can be restored. Perspectives and projects. -The efficacy of electrical stimulation of denervated muscle has not been established in human. Electrical stimulation does not bring about reinnervation; however a regularly stimulated muscle may recover force-generating capacity sooner if reinnervation occurs. In mammals, it has been show since several years that the regular stimulation of a denervated and reinnervated muscle promoted the motor function return. Recently, it has also been observed in animals, that muscle stimulation with a biphasic current was responsible to a more rapid return of the muscle sensibility. However, these preliminary works realized in the young mammals need to be improved. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. Tous droits reserves.