Center for Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
Official title: VA RR&D Center for Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
Funded at Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center · NIH-11427445 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A program that studies how external electrical stimulation can help people with nerve or brain injuries regain function and improve rehabilitation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2017 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I50RX002359-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11427445 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with neurological impairments or injuries who could benefit from external electrical stimulation to restore or enhance neural function.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients may not respond to FES or may have conditions where FES is unsuitable or unsafe.
What this research studies
This center focuses on using electrical stimulation of the nervous system to replace or support lost neural functions for people with neurological or related conditions. It collaborates across multiple institutions to develop and test new rehabilitation approaches that could transform recovery. The work is centered on improving treatments for Veterans and other patients with unmet rehabilitation needs, using techniques that interface with the nervous system. The goal is to create practical, effective therapies that can be translated into real-world clinical care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience improved mobility, sensation, and daily functioning through advanced neuromodulation-based rehabilitation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in FES and neurostimulation has shown meaningful improvements in certain patient groups, supporting continued development.
Where this research is happening
-
Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kirsch, Robert F. — Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kirsch, Robert F.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.