Electrical stimulation: Full-body suit supports neurological treatment
A suit is designed to support patients with neurological conditions such as fibromyalgia, MS or after a stroke with targeted muscle stimulation.
(Image: Ottobock)
The medical technology company Ottobock is launching a new version of its therapeutic full-body suit in July 2025. The “Exopulse Suit” is designed to support patients with various neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke sequelae and fibromyalgia. The latter is a complex chronic disease characterized by widespread pain, pronounced fatigue, sleep disorders and often psychological complaints such as anxiety and depression.
The Exopulse Suit uses neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), a method that has been used in physiotherapy for decades. The innovative element lies in the comprehensive integration of this technology into a garment suitable for everyday use. According to Ottobock, the two-piece suit contains 50 precisely placed electrodes that can target up to 122 muscles or 42 central muscle functions. Two rechargeable control units regulate the electrical impulses, which can be individually controlled via a smartphone app.
Relaxation and activation
The effect unfolds via two main mechanisms: In the case of spastic muscle groups, the electrical stimulation leads to relaxation of the overactive muscles, while an activating effect is achieved in the case of weakened muscles. The recommended duration of application is 60 minutes every two days, with adjustment options according to a doctor's prescription.
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The effectiveness of the predecessor system Exopulse Molli Suit was examined in a study published in the European Journal of Pain in 2024. Particularly promising results were seen in the treatment of fibromyalgia: a study from 2024 documented a significant improvement in the overall clinical picture in 78.8 percent of participants after just one month of daily use. The patients reported a measurable reduction in chronic pain, reduced fatigue and an improvement in depressive symptoms. However, the authors recommend further studies with larger numbers of patients and longer treatment duration to confirm the results and determine the optimal application.
In the new version of the Exopulse Suit, a single-layer fabric is intended to make it easier to put on and take off, while an improved electrode concept enables more precise stimulation. The system is available in 37 different sizes, from children's sizes from two years up to 5XL for adults. The market launch is planned for July 2025 in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Similar products, but aimed at entirely different target groups, come from VR Electronics Limited in London, for example. The so-called Teslasuit is a suit for the virtual world that can simulate touch, temperature and even pain and records movement and vital data for VR applications.
(mack)
