Electrical stimulation: A societal perspective

Societal perspective on functional electrical stimulation is colored by med ia influence, popular thought, and political climate as much as by the scie nce that supports it. The purpose of this article is to examine how these i nfluences facilitate or inhibit the application of electrical stimulation i n today's world and to describe the challenges facing the use of electrical stimulation in the future. Emphasis will be placed on perceived need, cost , and available resources and how these factors must be addressed to utiliz e functional electrical stimulation successfully in society.