NISE-Stim: How Spinal Stimulation Can Support Children with Down Syndrome

Parents of children with Down syndrome often ask about new therapies that can help their child build strength, coordination, and independence. One option that is gaining

attention is NISE-Stim, short for Non-Invasive Spinal Electrical Stimulation.

This innovative approach uses safe, gentle electrical currents to stimulate the spinal cord and muscles, supporting both movement and overall nervous system function. Let’s explore what NISE-Stim is, how it works, and why it may benefit children with Down syndrome.

What is NISE-Stim?

NISE-Stim was developed in 2017 by physical therapist Gerti Motavalli, PT, MPT, alongside Dr. Gad Alon, PT, Ph.D., a world-renowned researcher in electrical stimulation.

It uses surface electrodes (small pads placed on the skin) to deliver mild electrical currents over the spinal cord and targeted muscles. This stimulation helps the nerves and muscles “talk” to each other more effectively, which can lead to improvements in:

• Muscle strength and coordination

• Motor skills like sitting, crawling, standing, or walking

• Sensory awareness

• Autonomic functions such as breathing, digestion, circulation, and bladder/bowel control

How Does It Work?

During NISE-Stim, electrodes are placed over the spinal cord and specific muscles. The electrical impulses mimic natural nerve signals, which:

• Activate muscle contractions

• Stimulate pathways between the brain, spinal cord, and muscles

• Encourage neuroplasticity (the brain and nervous system’s ability to form new connections)

Children don’t need to sit still for long therapy drills during sessions. Instead, stimulation can be paired with everyday activities like:

• Playing with toys

• Reading a book

• Watching TV

• Standing in a stander

This makes it child-friendly, comfortable, and easy to integrate into daily life.

Why Might It Help Children with Down Syndrome?

Children with Down syndrome often face low muscle tone, muscle weakness, and motor delays. NISE-Stim may provide:

• More effective muscle activation to support movement and posture

• Improved trunk control and balance for sitting and standing

• Increased coordination to help with walking and gross motor skills

• Better circulation and digestion, which are sometimes affected in children with low tone

While more research is still being done, many families and therapists have reported noticeable improvements within just a few weeks.

Proven Benefits and Safety

Over 350 children have already been treated directly with NISE-Stim, and many have shown improvements in:

• New movements or stronger existing muscles

• Trunk and core stability

• Better use of hands

• Improved bladder and bowel control

• Enhanced breathing and circulation

NISE-Stim is considered safe for most children. The stimulation feels like a light tingling or tapping, not painful. However, it is not recommended for children with:

• Pacemakers or implanted electronic devices

• Pregnancy

• Active cancer

Family-Friendly and Empowering

One of the biggest advantages of NISE-Stim is that it can be used both in therapy and at home. Parents are trained to place the electrodes and supervise sessions, starting with short 20-minute sessions and building up to 30 minutes, 1–3 times daily.

This makes NISE-Stim not just a clinic-based therapy, but a home program families can confidently use to reinforce progress between therapy visits.

Takeaway

NISE-Stim is an innovative, non-invasive therapy that can be a powerful addition to traditional physical therapy for children with Down syndrome. By stimulating the spinal cord, muscles, and nervous system, it supports strength, coordination, and overall development — while also being safe, gentle, and family-friendly.

If you’d like to learn more about whether NISE-Stim might benefit your child, I’d be happy to connect with you and explore how this approach could fit into your therapy plan.