Shine STIM: The programme

What's involved in the programme? 

Each programme is tailored to the individual child and their goals. 

Before starting tSCS, your child will have a pre-assessment call to review your child’s medical history, discuss goals, and determine suitability for the programme. We then contact your child's healthcare team to share information about the programme and identify any relevant medical considerations 

Following assessment by Shine's specialist physiotherapist: 

  • A personalised stimulation programme is designed.
  • Electrode placement and stimulation settings are tailored to the child's needs.
  • Families are taught how to use the equipment safely at home.
  • Therapy is incorporated into everyday routines and activities.
  • Progress is reviewed regularly through face-to-face appointments and remote support.  
  • Your child’s healthcare professionals are kept informed. 

Families typically use the stimulation at home 6 days a week, between 1 and 4 times a day, often while their child is playing, sitting, completing physiotherapy exercises or carrying out other everyday activities.

 

Possible benefits 

Every child responds differently and benefits cannot be guaranteed. However, families participating in Shine's service have reported improvements in a range of areas.  

Potential benefits may include: 

  • Increased muscle strength
  • Improved movement and motor development
  • Improved sitting balance, posture and trunk control
  • Increased participation in activities
  • Improvements in sensation or body awareness
  • Better circulation, including warmer feet and legs
  • Improvements in bowel function and constipation management  

In our service evaluation, the greatest improvements were observed in activity and muscle strength, with many families also reporting benefits relating to sensation, posture, circulation and bowel function. Most reported changes occurred within the first three months of treatment.

 

Who is eligible? 

Children and young people may be eligible if they: 

  • Are Shine members
  • Are aged between 2 months and 18 years
  • Have open or closed spina bifida
  • Are medically stable
  • Have fully healed surgical wounds
  • Have families who are able to engage with the programme at home
  • Some medical conditions may affect suitability for treatment.  
  • Certain shunt types (LP shunts) prohibit participation.  
  • Implanted devices or other contraindications may require additional assessment.  

For Shine's Physiotherapists to make decisions about suitability you will be required to provide sufficient medical information about your child's medical history, as well as consent to staff contacting your child's medical professionals.  

 

Clinic locations

The service is delivered through Shine's pop-up physiotherapy clinics in multiple locations across the UK. Please contact Shine for information about individual suitability, current clinic locations, appointment availability and waiting times.

 

Costs 

The service aims to make tSCS as accessible as possible. There is no cost for appointments. Families will need: 

  • A stimulation device (typically approximately £115-£450 depending on the model used)
  • Ongoing replacement electrode pads (typically £6-£12 per month)  

If funding is an issue, equipment options can be discussed by contacting Shine directly.

As a charity, we will not be able to support every child, but we will work with you to identify if there are therapists that have been trained in your area and will support you and them.