Athlete recovering with four-channel,<unk>  machine attached through self-adhesive pads to her hamstrings<unk>  can be used as a training, therapeutic, or cosmetic tool. Physical rehabilitation In medicine,<unk>  is used for rehabilitation purposes, for instance in physical therapy in the prevention<unk>  atrophy due to inactivity or neuromuscular imbalance, which can occur for example after musculoskeletal injuries (damage to bones, joints,<unk> s, ligaments and tendons). This is distinct from transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), in which an electric current is used for pain therapy. In the case of TENS, the current is usually sub-threshold, meaning that a<unk>  contraction is not observed. For people who have progressive diseases such as cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,<unk>  is used to improve<unk>  weakness for those unable or unwilling to undertake whole-body exercise.<unk>  may lead to statistically significant improvement in quadriceps<unk>  strength, however, further research is needed as this evidence is graded as low certainity. The same study also indicates that<unk>  may lead to increased<unk>  mass. Low certainity evidence indicates that adding<unk>  to an existing exercise programme may help people who are unwell spend fewer days confined to their beds. During<unk>  training, a set of complementary<unk>  groups (e.g., biceps and triceps) are often targeted in alternating fashion, for specific training goals, such as improving the ability to reach for an item. Weight loss The FDA rejects certification of devices that claim weight reduction.<unk>  devices cause a calorie burning that is marginal at best: calories are burnt in significant amount only when most of the body is involved in physical exercise: several<unk> s, the heart and the respiratory system are all engaged at once. However, some authors imply that<unk>  can lead to exercise, since people toning their<unk> s with electrical stimulation are more likely afterwards to participate in sporting activities as the body becomes ready, fit, willing and able to take on physical activity. Effects "Strength training by NMES does promote neural and muscular adaptations that are complementary to the well-known effects of voluntary resistance training". This statement is part of the editorial summary of a 2010 world congress of researchers on the subject. Additional studies on practical applications, which came after that congress, pointed out important factors that make the difference between effective and ineffective<unk> . This in retrospect explains why in the past some researchers and practitioners obtained results that others could not reproduce. Also, as published by reputable universities,<unk>  causes adaptation, i.e. training, of<unk>  fibers. Because of the characteristics of skeletal<unk>  fibers, different types of fibers can be activated to differing degrees by different types of<unk> , and the modifications induced depend on the pattern of<unk>  activity. These patterns, referred to as protocols or programs, will cause a different response from contraction of different fiber types. Some programs will improve fatigue resistance, i.e. endurance, others will increase force production.
Electrical muscle stimulation
Repetitive nerve stimulation
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
Nerve induction
Nerve block
Spinal cord stimulator
Local anesthetic nerve block
Cortical stimulation mapping