Modification of spasticity by transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (original) (raw)

2014, The journal of spinal cord medicine

To examine the effects of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) on lower-limb spasticity. Interventional pilot study to produce preliminary data. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria. Three subjects with chronic motor-incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) who could walk ≥10 m. Two interconnected stimulating skin electrodes (Ø 5 cm) were placed paraspinally at the T11/T12 vertebral levels, and two rectangular electrodes (8 × 13 cm) on the abdomen for the reference. Biphasic 2 ms-width pulses were delivered at 50 Hz for 30 minutes at intensities producing paraesthesias but no motor responses in the lower limbs. The Wartenberg pendulum test and neurological recordings of surface-electromyography (EMG) were used to assess effects on exaggerated reflex excitability. Non-functional co-activation during volitional movement was evaluated. The timed 10-m walk test provided measures of clinical function. The index of spasticity derived f...

Sign up for access to the world's latest research.

checkGet notified about relevant papers

checkSave papers to use in your research

checkJoin the discussion with peers

checkTrack your impact