Introduction: Loss of upper limb function in patients with spinal cord injury greatly impairs their quality of life. The key to successful rehabilitation is intensive therapeutic exercise, with the aim of improving the control of the use of the upper limb and performing daily activities. Functional electrical stimulation can also be used to stimulate defective muscles of the arm. Purpose: The purpose of this bachelor’s thesis was to review the existing research about efficiency of FES on upper limb function in patients with spinal cord injury. Methods: We conducted a literature review. The search for scientific research articles was conducted according to certain criteria for inclusion and exclusion in the PEDro and PubMed databases. Results: In the review of six studies evaluating the effects of FES from three to 12 weeks, we found many contradictory opinions. A statistically significant improvement occurred only in individual tests. In tests of body function and structure there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. In the activity tests there was statistically significant difference between the groups in functional independence measure (one of two studies), in the spinal cord independence measure (one of three studies), in Jebsen hand function test (one study) and in components of Toronto rehabilitation institute hand function test, cylinder and card (one study). Conclusion: FES can help to improve upper limb function in subjects with incomplete spinal cord injury in the acute or subacute phase, or in subjects with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury in chronic phase.
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