What is Spinal Electrical Stimulation/ NISE-Stim?
The non-invasive spinal electrical stimulation (NISE-Stim) program was developed in 2017 by Gerti Motavalli PT, MPT along with Dr. Gad Alon PT, Ph.D., an internationally recognized researcher in electrical stimulation. Spinal electrical stimulation is achieved through the use of an NMES muscle stimulator providing electrical current through electrodes attached directly over the spinal cord and to specific areas of the body to stimulate muscle movement. Research has been published in the online research journal Child Neurology Open in 2019. Several other articles and TV segments about spinal stimulation have been produced. Videos and information are posted on Ms. Motavalli’s Facebook and Instagram pages and our List of Resources can be accessed here.
Ms. Motavalli has treated over 300 children with NISE-Stim so far. She has developed an online course for practitioners to get trained in spinal stimulation. Gerti Motavalli is teaching two day NISE-Stim courses to therapists around the world.
Who can benefit from NISE-Stim?
Children with Spina Bifida and other motor problems have shown to benefit from spinal electrical stimulation. Progress has been observed in children ages 3 months to 18 years. So far no upper age limit has been established.
Here’s what happens during spinal stimulation:
• Electrodes are placed over the spinal cord and other places on the body.
• The e-stim unit gives electrical impulses from the lower back to the legs, like nerves would do to activate muscles. The muscles will contract in response.
• The family is instructed in how to use the stimulation at home, initially 20 minutes and later up to 1-3 times 30 minutes daily.
• During NISE-Stim the child can sit, play or lie around and read books, watch TV, or stand in the stander.
• Parental supervision is needed but besides placing the electrodes and starting the unit there is no other work needed from the parent.
Who can do NISE-Stim?
- Persons with spina bifida or spinal cord injury, CP and other motor problems
- Children 3 months and older, starting earlier is better due to neuroplasticity when more regeneration is possible
- There is no upper age to see some benefits
- NISE-Stim can be done with most spinal cysts, programmable VP shunt, metal from surgeries
- Spinal stim should not be done with people who have pacemakers, VNS or other implanted electronically controlled devices, pregnancy, or cancer
Links to detailed informational brochures for clients and professionals: