Electric Stimulation Garment Treats Brain Damage

A specially designed elastic body suit fitted with electrodes could serve as an alternative to painful treatments and surgery for brain damage.

Designed at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm, Sweden), the Mollii garment provides electrical stimulation to ease tension and spasms, resulting in reduced pain perception and increased mobility. Made of ordinary swimsuit material, the body suit has conductive elastic with silver wires sewn into it, leading to 58 electrodes attached to the inside of the garment located near major muscles. Electrical current is used to stimulate as many as 42 distinct muscles, according to the patient’s needs. The current is generated from a battery pack placed in a small control box fitted at the waistband.


Examinations have shown that stroke patients with unilateral paralysis gained increased mobility in spastic limbs, thanks to improved gait and arms and hand function following treatment. The Mollii garment is made by Inerventions (Solna, Sweden), and has received the European Community CE marking of approval. The company has launched a clinical study of the effectiveness of the garment, in partnership with Rehab Medical Clinics (Linköping, Sweden) and the Swedish School of Textiles at the University of Borås (Sweden); the results are expected in 2014.

“The idea is that the clothes should be used for a few hours, three times a week, and the effect is expected to last for up to two days,” said chiropractor Fredrik Lundqvist, CEO of Inerventions, who developed the original concept while working in rehabilitation of brain-damaged patients. “To enhance the quality of life the patient may choose to use Mollii before it's time to go to work, school or to a social event. That enables the body to function as well as possible when it is really needed.”

Related Links:
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Inerventions
University of Borås