NICE Interventional procedure guidance IPG278

Published January 28, 2009 the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) have issued an interventional procedures guidance for Functional Electrical Stimulation for drop foot of central neurological origin advising that;

“1.1.Current evidence on the safety and efficacy (in terms of improving gait) of functional electrical stimulation (FES) for drop foot of central neurological origin appears adequate to support the use of this procedure provided that normal arrangements are in place for clinical governance, consent and audit.”

In the accompanying publication “Understanding NICE guidance: Information for people who use NHS services: Treating drop foot using electrical stimulation”, the following summary is given:

"What has NICE said?

This procedure can be offered routinely as a treatment option for
people with drop foot caused by damage to the brain or spinal cord,
provided that doctors are sure that:

• the patient understands what is involved and agrees to the
treatment, and

• the results of the procedure are monitored.

For the version of the procedure in which the electrodes are
implanted, a healthcare team including rehabilitation specialists should
be involved in deciding which patients should have the procedure.”

To see the full published guidance please visit:

http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/IPG278