Abstract: Functional electrical stimulation(FES) offers a vast potential for partial restoration of parlayzed movements. This three part article will review the basic concepts,system design and applications of FES. In part I,concepts such as activation threshold, recruitment order are discussed. Part Ⅱ introduces stimulation waveforme,safe parameters and tissue damage,as well as the design principle of stimulators for use with percutaneous electrodes. Part Ⅲ outlines clinical applications of FES,in particular,for restoration of hand grasp function for C5/C6 patients.

Key words: functional electrical stimulation, motor rehabilitation, neuroprosthesis