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Sayed Ahmad AM, Skiadopoulos A, Knikou M. Interactions between arm and leg neuronal circuits following paired cervical and lumbosacral transspinal stimulation in healthy humans. Exp Brain Res 2024; 242:2229-2239. [PMID: 39034329 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-024-06891-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Transspinal (or transcutaneous spinal cord) stimulation is a promising noninvasive method that may strengthen the intrinsic spinal neural connectivity in neurological disorders. In this study we assessed the effects of cervical transspinal stimulation on the amplitude of leg transspinal evoked potentials (TEPs), and the effects of lumbosacral transspinal stimulation on the amplitude of arm TEPs. Control TEPs were recorded following transspinal stimulation with one cathode electrode placed either on Cervical 3 (21.3 ± 1.7 mA) or Thoracic 10 (23.6 ± 16.5 mA) vertebrae levels. Associated anodes were placed bilaterally on clavicles or iliac crests. Cervical transspinal conditioning stimulation produced short latency inhibition of TEPs recorded from left soleus (ranging from - 6.11 to -3.87% of control TEP at C-T intervals of -50, -25, -20, -15, -10, 15 ms), right semitendinosus (ranging from - 11.1 to -4.55% of control TEP at C-T intervals of -20, -15, 15 ms), and right vastus lateralis (ranging from - 13.3 to -8.44% of control TEP at C-T intervals of -20 and - 15 ms) (p < 0.05). Lumbosacral transspinal conditioning stimulation produced no significant effects on arm TEPs. We conclude that in the resting state, cervical transspinal stimulation affects the net motor output of leg motoneurons under the experimental conditions used in this study. Further investigations are warranted to determine whether this protocol may reactivate local spinal circuitry after stroke or spinal cord injury and may have a significant effect in synchronization of upper and lower limb muscle synergies during rhythmic activities like locomotion or cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah M Sayed Ahmad
- Klab4Recovery Research Program (aka Knikou Lab), The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, 2800 Victory Blvd, 5N-207, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA
| | - Andreas Skiadopoulos
- Klab4Recovery Research Program (aka Knikou Lab), The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, 2800 Victory Blvd, 5N-207, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA
| | - Maria Knikou
- Klab4Recovery Research Program (aka Knikou Lab), The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, 2800 Victory Blvd, 5N-207, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA.
- Biology PhD Program, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Collaborative Neuroscience Program, College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Blvd, 5N-207, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA.
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García-Alén L, Ros-Alsina A, Sistach-Bosch L, Wright M, Kumru H. Noninvasive Electromagnetic Neuromodulation of the Central and Peripheral Nervous System for Upper-Limb Motor Strength and Functionality in Individuals with Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:4695. [PMID: 39066092 PMCID: PMC11280769 DOI: 10.3390/s24144695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
(1) Background: Restoring arm and hand function is one of the priorities of people with cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI). Noninvasive electromagnetic neuromodulation is a current approach that aims to improve upper-limb function in individuals with SCI. The aim of this study is to review updated information on the different applications of noninvasive electromagnetic neuromodulation techniques that focus on restoring upper-limb functionality and motor function in people with cSCI. (2) Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were used to structure the search protocol. A systematic review of the literature was performed in three databases: the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). (3) Results: Twenty-five studies were included: four were on transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), four on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), two on transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS), ten on functional electrical stimulation (FES), four on transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and one on neuromuscular stimulation (NMS). The meta-analysis could not be completed due to a lack of common motor or functional evaluations. Finally, we realized a narrative review of the results, which reported that noninvasive electromagnetic neuromodulation combined with rehabilitation at the cerebral or spinal cord level significantly improved upper-limb functionality and motor function in cSCI subjects. Results were significant compared with the control group when tSCS, FES, TENS, and NMS was applied. (4) Conclusions: To perform a meta-analysis and contribute to more evidence, randomized controlled trials with standardized outcome measures for the upper extremities in cSCI are needed, even though significant improvement was reported in each non-invasive electromagnetic neuromodulation study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loreto García-Alén
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorrehabilitació Adscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.R.-A.); (L.S.-B.); (M.W.)
- Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aina Ros-Alsina
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorrehabilitació Adscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.R.-A.); (L.S.-B.); (M.W.)
| | - Laura Sistach-Bosch
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorrehabilitació Adscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.R.-A.); (L.S.-B.); (M.W.)
| | - Mark Wright
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorrehabilitació Adscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.R.-A.); (L.S.-B.); (M.W.)
| | - Hatice Kumru
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorrehabilitació Adscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.R.-A.); (L.S.-B.); (M.W.)
- Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciéncies de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain
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Singh G, Sharma P, Forrest G, Harkema S, Behrman A, Gerasimenko Y. Spinal Cord Transcutaneous Stimulation in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: A Review Examining Upper Extremity Neuromotor Control, Recovery Mechanisms, and Future Directions. J Neurotrauma 2024. [PMID: 38874496 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2023.0438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) results in significant sensorimotor impairments below the injury level, notably in the upper extremities (UEs), impacting daily activities and quality of life. Regaining UE function remains the top priority for individuals post-cervical SCI. Recent advances in understanding adaptive plasticity within the sensorimotor system have led to the development of novel non-invasive neurostimulation strategies, such as spinal cord transcutaneous stimulation (scTS), to facilitate UE motor recovery after SCI. This comprehensive review investigates the neuromotor control of UE, the typical recovery trajectories following SCI, and the therapeutic potential of scTS to enhance UE motor function in individuals with cervical SCI. Although limited in number with smaller sample sizes, the included research articles consistently suggest that scTS, when combined with task-specific training, improves voluntary control of arm and hand function and sensation. Further, the reported improvements translate to the recovery of various UE functional tasks and positively impact the quality of life in individuals with cervical SCI. Several methodological limitations, including stimulation site selection and parameters, training strategies, and sensitive outcome measures, require further advancements to allow successful translation of scTS from research to clinical settings. This review also summarizes the current literature and proposes future directions to support establishing approaches for scTS as a viable neuro-rehabilitative tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goutam Singh
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Kosair for Kids School of Physical Therapy, Spalding University, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Pawan Sharma
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Gail Forrest
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Kessler Foundation, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Susan Harkema
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Andrea Behrman
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Yury Gerasimenko
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Gelenitis K, Santamaria A, Pradarelli J, Rieger M, Inanici F, Tefertiller C, Field-Fote E, Guest J, Suggitt J, Turner A, D'Amico JM, Moritz C. Non-invasive Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Programming Recommendations for the Treatment of Upper Extremity Impairment in Tetraplegia. Neuromodulation 2024:S1094-7159(24)00111-9. [PMID: 38958629 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2024.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study analyzes the stimulation parameters implemented during two successful trials that used non-invasive transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) to effectively improve upper extremity function after chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). It proposes a framework to guide stimulation programming decisions for the successful translation of these techniques into the clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS Programming data from 60 participants who completed the Up-LIFT trial and from 17 participants who subsequently completed the LIFT Home trial were analyzed. All observations of stimulation amplitudes, frequencies, waveforms, and electrode configurations were examined. The incidence of adverse events and relatedness to stimulation parameters is reported. A comparison of parameter usage across the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) subgroups was conducted to evaluate stimulation strategies across participants with varying degrees of sensorimotor preservation. RESULTS Active (cathodal) electrodes were typically placed between the C3/C4 and C6/C7 spinous processes. Most sessions featured return (anodal) electrodes positioned bilaterally over the anterior superior iliac spine, although clavicular placement was frequently used by 12 participants. Stimulation was delivered with a 10-kHz carrier frequency and typically a 30-Hz burst frequency. Biphasic waveforms were used in 83% of sessions. Average stimulation amplitudes were higher for biphasic waveforms. The AIS B subgroup required significantly higher amplitudes than did the AIS C and D subgroups. Device-related adverse events were infrequent, and not correlated with specific waveforms or amplitudes. Within the home setting, participants maintained their current amplitudes within 1% of the preset values. The suggested stimulation programming framework dictates the following hierarchical order of parameter adjustments: current amplitude, waveform type, active/return electrode positioning, and burst frequency, guided by clinical observations as required. CONCLUSIONS This analysis summarizes effective stimulation parameters from the trials and provides a decision-making framework for clinical implementation of tSCS for upper extremity functional restoration after SCI. The parameters are aligned with existing literature and proved safe and well tolerated by participants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Fatma Inanici
- Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Center for Neurotechnology, University of Washington. Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Edelle Field-Fote
- Shepherd Center, Crawford Research Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - James Guest
- Neurological Surgery and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Jessica M D'Amico
- ONWARD Medical, Lausanne, Switzerland; Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Alberta Health Services. Edmonton, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Alberta. Edmonton, Canada
| | - Chet Moritz
- Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Center for Neurotechnology, University of Washington. Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington. Seattle, WA, USA.
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Parhizi B, Barss TS, Dineros AM, Sivadasan G, Mann D, Mushahwar VK. Bimanual coordination and spinal cord neuromodulation: how neural substrates of bimanual movements are altered by transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2024; 21:103. [PMID: 38890742 PMCID: PMC11184732 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-024-01395-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Humans use their arms in complex ways that often demand two-handed coordination. Neurological conditions limit this impressive feature of the human motor system. Understanding how neuromodulatory techniques may alter neural mechanisms of bimanual coordination is a vital step towards designing efficient rehabilitation interventions. By non-invasively activating the spinal cord, transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) promotes recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury. A multitude of research studies have attempted to capture the underlying neural mechanisms of these effects using a variety of electrophysiological tools, but the influence of tSCS on cortical rhythms recorded via electroencephalography remains poorly understood, especially during bimanual actions. We recruited 12 neurologically intact participants to investigate the effect of cervical tSCS on sensorimotor cortical oscillations. We examined changes in the movement kinematics during the application of tSCS as well as the cortical activation level and interhemispheric connectivity during the execution of unimanual and bimanual arm reaching movements that represent activities of daily life. Behavioral assessment of the movements showed improvement of movement time and error during a bimanual common-goal movement when tSCS was delivered, but no difference was found in the performance of unimanual and bimanual dual-goal movements with the application of tSCS. In the alpha band, spectral power was modulated with tSCS in the direction of synchronization in the primary motor cortex during unimanual and bimanual dual-goal movements and in the somatosensory cortex during unimanual movements. In the beta band, tSCS significantly increased spectral power in the primary motor and somatosensory cortices during the performance of bimanual common-goal and unimanual movements. A significant increase in interhemispheric connectivity in the primary motor cortex in the alpha band was only observed during unimanual tasks in the presence of tSCS. Our observations provide, for the first time, information regarding the supra-spinal effects of tSCS as a neuromodulatory technique applied to the spinal cord during the execution of bi- and unimanual arm movements. They also corroborate the suppressive effect of tSCS at the cortical level reported in previous studies. These findings may guide the design of improved rehabilitation interventions using tSCS for the recovery of upper-limb function in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behdad Parhizi
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Institute for Smart Augmentative and Restorative Technologies and Health Innovation (iSMART), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Trevor S Barss
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Institute for Smart Augmentative and Restorative Technologies and Health Innovation (iSMART), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Alphonso Martin Dineros
- Institute for Smart Augmentative and Restorative Technologies and Health Innovation (iSMART), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gokul Sivadasan
- Institute for Smart Augmentative and Restorative Technologies and Health Innovation (iSMART), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Darren Mann
- Institute for Smart Augmentative and Restorative Technologies and Health Innovation (iSMART), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Vivian K Mushahwar
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Institute for Smart Augmentative and Restorative Technologies and Health Innovation (iSMART), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada.
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Nakagawa K, Kakehata G, Kaneko N, Masugi Y, Osu R, Iso S, Kanosue K, Nakazawa K. Reciprocal inhibition of the thigh muscles in humans: A study using transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation. Physiol Rep 2024; 12:e16039. [PMID: 38740563 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.16039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Evaluating reciprocal inhibition of the thigh muscles is important to investigate the neural circuits of locomotor behaviors. However, measurements of reciprocal inhibition of thigh muscles using spinal reflex, such as H-reflex, have never been systematically established owing to methodological limitations. The present study aimed to clarify the existence of reciprocal inhibition in the thigh muscles using transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS). Twenty able-bodied male individuals were enrolled. We evoked spinal reflex from the biceps femoris muscle (BF) by tSCS on the lumber posterior root. We examined whether the tSCS-evoked BF reflex was reciprocally inhibited by the following conditionings: (1) single-pulse electrical stimulation on the femoral nerve innervating the rectus femoris muscle (RF) at various inter-stimulus intervals in the resting condition; (2) voluntary contraction of the RF; and (3) vibration stimulus on the RF. The BF reflex was significantly inhibited when the conditioning electrical stimulation was delivered at 10 and 20 ms prior to tSCS, during voluntary contraction of the RF, and during vibration on the RF. These data suggested a piece of evidence of the existence of reciprocal inhibition from the RF to the BF muscle in humans and highlighted the utility of methods for evaluating reciprocal inhibition of the thigh muscles using tSCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kento Nakagawa
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Sports and Health Management, Faculty of Business and Information Sciences, Jobu University, Isesaki, Gunma, Japan
| | - Gaku Kakehata
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naotsugu Kaneko
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohei Masugi
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Tokyo International University, Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan
| | - Rieko Osu
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shigeo Iso
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Kanosue
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
- Institute of Health and Sports Science and Medicine, Juntendo University, Inzai, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kimitaka Nakazawa
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Kumru H, Ros-Alsina A, García Alén L, Vidal J, Gerasimenko Y, Hernandez A, Wrigth M. Improvement in Motor and Walking Capacity during Multisegmental Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation in Individuals with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4480. [PMID: 38674065 PMCID: PMC11050444 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous multisegmental spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) has shown superior efficacy in modulating spinal locomotor circuits compared to single-site stimulation in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Building on these findings, we hypothesized that administering a single session of tSCS at multiple spinal segments may yield greater enhancements in muscle strength and gait function during stimulation compared to tSCS at only one or two segments. In our study, tSCS was applied at single segments (C5, L1, and Coc1), two segments (C5-L1, C5-Coc1, and L1-Coc1), or multisegments (C5-L1-Coc1) in a randomized order. We evaluated the 6-m walking test (6MWT) and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and assessed the Hmax/Mmax ratio during stimulation in ten individuals with incomplete motor SCI. Our findings indicate that multisegmental tSCS improved walking time and reduced spinal cord excitability, as measured by the Hmax/Mmax ratio, similar to some single or two-site tSCS interventions. However, only multisegmental tSCS resulted in increased tibialis anterior (TA) muscle strength. These results suggest that multisegmental tSCS holds promise for enhancing walking capacity, increasing muscle strength, and altering spinal cord excitability in individuals with incomplete SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice Kumru
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de NeurorehabilitacióAdscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.R.-A.); (L.G.A.); (J.V.); (A.H.); (M.W.)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Aina Ros-Alsina
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de NeurorehabilitacióAdscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.R.-A.); (L.G.A.); (J.V.); (A.H.); (M.W.)
| | - Loreto García Alén
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de NeurorehabilitacióAdscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.R.-A.); (L.G.A.); (J.V.); (A.H.); (M.W.)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Vidal
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de NeurorehabilitacióAdscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.R.-A.); (L.G.A.); (J.V.); (A.H.); (M.W.)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Yury Gerasimenko
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia;
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Agusti Hernandez
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de NeurorehabilitacióAdscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.R.-A.); (L.G.A.); (J.V.); (A.H.); (M.W.)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mark Wrigth
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de NeurorehabilitacióAdscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.R.-A.); (L.G.A.); (J.V.); (A.H.); (M.W.)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
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Zhang J, Wang M, Alam M, Zheng YP, Ye F, Hu X. Effects of non-invasive cervical spinal cord neuromodulation by trans-spinal electrical stimulation on cortico-muscular descending patterns in upper extremity of chronic stroke. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1372158. [PMID: 38576448 PMCID: PMC10991759 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1372158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Trans-spinal electrical stimulation (tsES) to the intact spinal cord poststroke may modulate the cortico-muscular control in stroke survivors with diverse lesions in the brain. This work aimed to investigate the immediate effects of tsES on the cortico-muscular descending patterns during voluntary upper extremity (UE) muscle contractions by analyzing cortico-muscular coherence (CMCoh) and electromyography (EMG) in people with chronic stroke. Methods: Twelve chronic stroke participants were recruited to perform wrist-hand extension and flexion tasks at submaximal levels of voluntary contraction for the corresponding agonist flexors and extensors. During the tasks, the tsES was delivered to the cervical spinal cord with rectangular biphasic pulses. Electroencephalography (EEG) data were collected from the sensorimotor cortex, and the EMG data were recorded from both distal and proximal UE muscles. The CMCoh, laterality index (LI) of the peak CMCoh, and EMG activation level parameters under both non-tsES and tsES conditions were compared to evaluate the immediate effects of tsES on the cortico-muscular descending pathway. Results: The CMCoh and LI of peak CMCoh in the agonist distal muscles showed significant increases (p < 0.05) during the wrist-hand extension and flexion tasks with the application of tsES. The EMG activation levels of the antagonist distal muscle during wrist-hand extension were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with tsES. Additionally, the proximal UE muscles exhibited significant decreases (p < 0.05) in peak CMCoh and EMG activation levels by applying tsES. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in LI of peak CMCoh of proximal UE muscles during tsES. Conclusion: The cervical spinal cord neuromodulation via tsES enhanced the residual descending excitatory control, activated the local inhibitory circuits within the spinal cord, and reduced the cortical and proximal muscular compensatory effects. These results suggested the potential of tsES as a supplementary input for improving UE motor functions in stroke rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, China
| | - Maner Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, China
| | - Monzurul Alam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, China
| | - Yong-Ping Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, China
| | - Fuqiang Ye
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, China
| | - Xiaoling Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, China
- Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA), Hong Kong SAR, China
- Research Centre of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RC-DSAI), Hong Kong SAR, China
- Joint Research Centre for Biosensing and Precision Theranostics, Hong Kong SAR, China
- University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
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9
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Capozio A, Ichiyama R, Astill SL. The acute effects of motor imagery and cervical transcutaneous electrical stimulation on manual dexterity and neural excitability. Neuropsychologia 2023; 187:108613. [PMID: 37285931 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TCES) of the spinal cord induces changes in spinal excitability. Motor imagery (MI) elicits plasticity in the motor cortex. It has been suggested that plasticity occurring in both cortical and spinal circuits might underlie the improvements in performance observed when training is combined with stimulation. We investigated the acute effects of cervical TCES and MI delivered in isolation or combined on corticospinal excitability, spinal excitability and manual performance. Participants (N = 17) completed three sessions during which they engaged in 20 min of: 1) MI, listening to an audio recording instructing to complete the purdue pegboard test (PPT) of manual performance; 2) TCES at the spinal level of C5-C6; 3) MI + TCES, listening to the MI script while receiving TCES. Before and after each condition, we measured corticospinal excitability via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) at 100% and 120% motor threshold (MT), spinal excitability via single-pulse TCES and manual performance with the PPT. Manual performance was not improved by MI, TCES or MI + TCES. Corticospinal excitability assessed at 100% MT intensity increased in hand and forearm muscles after MI and MI + TCES, but not after just TCES. Conversely, corticospinal excitability assessed at 120% MT intensity was not affected by any of the conditions. The effects on spinal excitability depended on the recorded muscle: it increased after all conditions in biceps brachii (BB) and flexor carpi radialis (FCR); did not change after any conditions in the abductor pollicis brevis (APB); increased after TCES and MI + TCES, but not after just MI in the extensor carpi radialis (ECR). These findings suggest that MI and TCES increase the excitability of the central nervous system through different but complementary mechanisms, inducing changes in the excitability of spinal and cortical circuits. MI and TCES can be used in combination to modulate spinal/cortical excitability, an approach particularly relevant for people with limited residual dexterity who cannot engage in motor practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Capozio
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, United Kingdom.
| | - Ronaldo Ichiyama
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah L Astill
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
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Kumru H, García-Alén L, Ros-Alsina A, Albu S, Valles M, Vidal J. Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Improves Respiratory Muscle Strength and Function in Subjects with Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: Original Research. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2121. [PMID: 37626619 PMCID: PMC10452666 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Respiratory muscle weakness is common following cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI). Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) promotes the motor recovery of the upper and lower limbs. tSCS improved breathing and coughing abilities in one subject with tetraplegia. Objective: We therefore hypothesized that tSCS applied at the cervical and thoracic levels could improve respiratory function in cSCI subjects; (2) Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial. Eleven cSCI subjects received inspiratory muscle training (IMT) alone. Eleven cSCI subjects received tSCS combined with IMT (six of these subjects underwent IMT alone first and then they were given the opportunity to receive tSCS + IMT). The subjects evaluated their sensation of breathlessness/dyspnea and hypophonia compared to pre-SCI using a numerical rating scale. The thoracic muscle strength was assessed by maximum inspiratory (MIP), expiratory pressure (MEP), and spirometric measures. All assessments were conducted at baseline and after the last session. tSCS was applied at C3-4 and Th9-10 at a frequency of 30 Hz for 30 min on 5 consecutive days; (3) Results: Following tSCS + IMT, the subjects reported a significant improvement in breathlessness/dyspnea and hypophonia (p < 0.05). There was also a significant improvement in MIP, MEP, and forced vital capacity (p < 0.05). Following IMT alone, there were no significant changes in any measurement; (4) Conclusions: Current evidence supports the potential of tSCS as an adjunctive therapy to accelerate and enhance the rehabilitation process for respiratory impairments following SCI. However, further research is needed to validate these results and establish the long-term benefits of tSCS in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice Kumru
- Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació Adscrit a la (UAB), 08916 Barcelona, Spain; (L.G.-A.); (A.R.-A.); (S.A.); (M.V.); (J.V.)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Loreto García-Alén
- Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació Adscrit a la (UAB), 08916 Barcelona, Spain; (L.G.-A.); (A.R.-A.); (S.A.); (M.V.); (J.V.)
| | - Aina Ros-Alsina
- Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació Adscrit a la (UAB), 08916 Barcelona, Spain; (L.G.-A.); (A.R.-A.); (S.A.); (M.V.); (J.V.)
| | - Sergiu Albu
- Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació Adscrit a la (UAB), 08916 Barcelona, Spain; (L.G.-A.); (A.R.-A.); (S.A.); (M.V.); (J.V.)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Margarita Valles
- Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació Adscrit a la (UAB), 08916 Barcelona, Spain; (L.G.-A.); (A.R.-A.); (S.A.); (M.V.); (J.V.)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Vidal
- Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació Adscrit a la (UAB), 08916 Barcelona, Spain; (L.G.-A.); (A.R.-A.); (S.A.); (M.V.); (J.V.)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
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Sharma P, Panta T, Ugiliweneza B, Bert RJ, Gerasimenko Y, Forrest G, Harkema S. Multi-Site Spinal Cord Transcutaneous Stimulation Facilitates Upper Limb Sensory and Motor Recovery in Severe Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Study. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4416. [PMID: 37445450 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12134416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) rank regaining arm and hand function as their top rehabilitation priority post-injury. Cervical spinal cord transcutaneous stimulation (scTS) combined with activity-based recovery training (ABRT) is known to effectively facilitate upper extremity sensorimotor recovery in individuals with residual arm and hand function post SCI. However, scTS effectiveness in facilitating upper extremity recovery in individuals with severe SCI with minimal to no sensory and motor preservation below injury level remains largely unknown. We herein introduced a multimodal neuro-rehabilitative approach involving scTS targeting systematically identified various spinal segments combined with ABRT. We hypothesized that multi-site scTS combined with ABRT will effectively neuromodulate the spinal networks, resulting in improved integration of ascending and descending neural information required for sensory and motor recovery in individuals with severe cervical SCI. To test the hypothesis, a 53-year-old male (C2, AIS A, 8 years post-injury) received 60 ABRT sessions combined with continuous multi-site scTS. Post-training assessments revealed improved activation of previously paralyzed upper extremity muscles and sensory improvements over the dorsal and volar aspects of the hand. Most likely, altered spinal cord excitability and improved muscle activation and sensations resulted in observed sensorimotor recovery. However, despite promising neurophysiological evidence pertaining to motor re-activation, we did not observe visually appreciable functional recovery on obtained upper extremity motor assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawan Sharma
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Tudor Panta
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Beatrice Ugiliweneza
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Department of Health Management and Systems Science, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Robert J Bert
- Department of Radiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Yury Gerasimenko
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Gail Forrest
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07052, USA
- Kessler Foundation, Newark, NJ 07052, USA
| | - Susan Harkema
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
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García-Alén L, Kumru H, Castillo-Escario Y, Benito-Penalva J, Medina-Casanovas J, Gerasimenko YP, Edgerton VR, García-Alías G, Vidal J. Transcutaneous Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulation Combined with Robotic Exoskeleton Rehabilitation for the Upper Limbs in Subjects with Cervical SCI: Clinical Trial. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020589. [PMID: 36831125 PMCID: PMC9953486 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Restoring arm and hand function is a priority for individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI) for independence and quality of life. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) promotes the upper extremity (UE) motor function when applied at the cervical region. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of cervical tSCS, combined with an exoskeleton, on motor strength and functionality of UE in subjects with cSCI. (2) Methods: twenty-two subjects participated in the randomized mix of parallel-group and crossover clinical trial, consisting of an intervention group (n = 15; tSCS exoskeleton) and a control group (n = 14; exoskeleton). The assessment was carried out at baseline, after the last session, and two weeks after the last session. We assessed graded redefined assessment of strength, sensibility, and prehension (GRASSP), box and block test (BBT), spinal cord independence measure III (SCIM-III), maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), ASIA impairment scale (AIS), and WhoQol-Bref; (3) Results: GRASSP, BBT, SCIM III, cylindrical grip force and AIS motor score showed significant improvement in both groups (p ≤ 0.05), however, it was significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group for GRASSP strength, and GRASSP prehension ability (p ≤ 0.05); (4) Conclusion: our findings show potential advantages of the combination of cervical tSCS with an exoskeleton to optimize the outcome for UE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loreto García-Alén
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorrehabilitació Adscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hatice Kumru
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorrehabilitació Adscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciéncies de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Yolanda Castillo-Escario
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Automatic Control, Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya-Barcelona Tech (UPC), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Benito-Penalva
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorrehabilitació Adscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciéncies de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Josep Medina-Casanovas
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorrehabilitació Adscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciéncies de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Yury P. Gerasimenko
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Victor Reggie Edgerton
- Rancho Research Institute, Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA 90242, USA
| | - Guillermo García-Alías
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorrehabilitació Adscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia & Insititute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Vidal
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorrehabilitació Adscrit a la UAB, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciéncies de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain
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Fleming N, Taylor C, Etzelmueller M, Gill C, O’Keeffe C, Mahony N, Reilly RB. Contralateral Selectivity of Upper-Limb Motor Pools via Targeted Stimulation of the Cervical Spinal Cord. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020332. [PMID: 36830867 PMCID: PMC9952898 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) at the cervical level may facilitate improved upper-limb function in those with incomplete tetraplegia. While clinical trials are ongoing, there is still much debate regarding the transmission pathway as well as appropriate stimulation parameters. This study aimed to explore the extent to which cervical tSCS can induce mono-synaptic reflexes in discrete upper-limb motor pools and examine the effects of altering stimulus location and intensity. METHODS Fourteen participants with intact nervous systems completed two laboratory visits, during which posterior root-muscle reflexes (PRMRs) were evoked via a 3 × 3 cathode matrix applied over the cervical spine. An incremental recruitment curve at the C7 vertebral level was initially performed to attain resting motor threshold (RMT) in each muscle. Paired pulses (1 ms square monophasic with inter-pulse interval of 50 ms) were subsequently delivered at a frequency of 0.25 Hz at two intensities (RMT and RMT + 20%) across all nine cathode positions. Evoked responses to the 1st (PRMR1) and 2nd (PRMR2) stimuli were recorded in four upper-limb muscles. RESULTS A significant effect of the spinal level was observed in all muscles for PRMR1, with greater responses being recorded caudally. Contralateral stimulation significantly increased PRMR1 in Biceps Brachii (p < 0.05, F = 4.9, η2 = 0.29), Flexor Carpi Radialis (p < 0.05, F = 4.9, η2 = 0.28) and Abductor Pollicis Brevis (p < 0.01, F = 8.9, η2 = 0.89). Post-activation depression (PAD) was also significantly increased with contralateral stimulation in Biceps Brachii (p = 0.001, F = 9.3, η2 = 0.44), Triceps Brachii (p < 0.05, F = 5.4, η2 = 0.31) and Flexor Carpi Radialis (p < 0.001, F = 17.4, η2 = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS A level of unilateral motor pool selectivity may be attained by altering stimulus intensity and location during cervical tSCS. Optimising these parameters may improve the efficacy of this neuromodulation method in clinical cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Fleming
- Discipline of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +353-18961412
| | - Clare Taylor
- Discipline of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark Etzelmueller
- School of Engineering, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D08 XW7X Dublin, Ireland
- Discipline of Gerontology School of Medicine, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Conor Gill
- School of Engineering, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D08 XW7X Dublin, Ireland
- Discipline of Gerontology School of Medicine, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Clodagh O’Keeffe
- School of Engineering, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D08 XW7X Dublin, Ireland
- Discipline of Gerontology School of Medicine, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nicholas Mahony
- Discipline of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard B. Reilly
- School of Engineering, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D08 XW7X Dublin, Ireland
- Discipline of Gerontology School of Medicine, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
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Rehman MU, Sneed D, Sutor TW, Hoenig H, Gorgey AS. Optimization of Transspinal Stimulation Applications for Motor Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury: Scoping Review. J Clin Med 2023; 12:854. [PMID: 36769503 PMCID: PMC9917510 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12030854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition that can significantly affect an individual's life, causing paralysis, autonomic dysreflexia, and chronic pain. Transspinal stimulation (TSS) is a non-invasive form of neuromodulation that activates the underlying neural circuitries of the spinal cord. Application of TSS can be performed through multiple stimulation protocols, which may vary in the electrodes' size or position as well as stimulation parameters, and which may influence the response of motor functions to the stimulation. Due to the novelty of TSS, it is beneficial to summarize the available evidence to identify the range of parameters that may provide the best outcomes for motor response. The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies examining the effects of TSS on limb motor function. A literature search yielded 34 studies for analysis, in which electrode placement and stimulation parameters varied considerably. The stimulation protocols from each study and their impact on limb motor function were summarized. Electrode placement was variable based on the targeted limb. Studies for the upper limbs targeted the cervical enlargement with anatomical placement of the cathode over the cervical vertebral region. In lower-limb studies, the cathode(s) were placed over the thoracic and lumbar vertebral regions, to target the lumbar enlargement. The effects of carrier frequency were inconclusive across the studies. Multisite cathodal placements yielded favorable motor response results compared to single-site placement. This review briefly summarized the current mechanistic evidence of the effect of TSS on motor response after SCI. Our findings indicate that optimization of stimulation parameters will require future randomized controlled studies to independently assess the effects of different stimulation parameters under controlled circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Uzair Rehman
- Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23249, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Dustin Sneed
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Tommy W. Sutor
- Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23249, USA
| | - Helen Hoenig
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC 27705, USA
- Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ashraf S. Gorgey
- Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23249, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
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Acute Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Contralateral Plantar Flexor Neuromuscular Function. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11111655. [DOI: 10.3390/biology11111655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Contralateral facilitation, i.e., the increase in contralateral maximal voluntary strength that is observed when neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is applied to the ipsilateral homonymous muscle, has previously been reported for the knee extensors but the neurophysiological mechanisms remain to be investigated. The aim of this study was to compare plantar flexor contralateral facilitation between a submaximal voluntary contraction (~10% MVC torque) and two evoked contractions (conventional and wide-pulse high-frequency NMES) of the ipsilateral plantar flexors, with respect to a resting condition. Contralateral MVC torque and voluntary activation level were measured in 22 healthy participants while the ipsilateral plantar flexors were at rest, voluntarily contracted or stimulated for 15 s. Additional neurophysiological parameters (soleus H-reflex and V-wave amplitude and tibialis anterior coactivation level) were quantified in a subgroup of 12 participants. Conventional and wide-pulse high-frequency NMES of the ipsilateral plantar flexors did not induce any contralateral facilitation of maximal voluntary strength and activation with respect to the resting condition. Similarly, no alteration of neurophysiological parameters was observed in the different conditions. This absence of contralateral facilitation contrasts with some results previously obtained on the knee extensors but is consistent with the absence of neurophysiological changes on the contralateral soleus.
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Oh J, Steele AG, Varghese B, Martin CA, Scheffler MS, Markley RL, Lo YK, Sayenko DG. Cervical transcutaneous spinal stimulation for spinal motor mapping. iScience 2022; 25:105037. [PMID: 36147963 PMCID: PMC9485062 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) is a promising approach to restore upper-limb (UL) functions after spinal cord injury (SCI) in humans. We sought to demonstrate the selectivity of recruitment of individual UL motor pools during cervical TSS using different electrode placements. We demonstrated that TSS delivered over the rostrocaudal and mediolateral axes of the cervical spine resulted in a preferential activation of proximal, distal, and ipsilateral UL muscles. This was revealed by changes in motor threshold intensity, maximum amplitude, and the amount of post-activation depression of the evoked responses. We propose that an arrangement of electrodes targeting specific UL motor pools may result in superior efficacy, restoring more diverse motor activities after neurological injuries and disorders, including severe SCI. Cervical spinal motor maps are created by transcutaneous spinal stimulation Upper limb muscle-specific stimulation coincides with segmental motor pool locations Lateral stimulation can be advantageous depending on rostral or caudal sites Site-specific stimulation can help determine therapeutic outcomes after SCI
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Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation combined with locomotor training to improve walking ability in people with chronic spinal cord injury: study protocol for an international multi-centred double-blinded randomised sham-controlled trial (eWALK). Spinal Cord 2022; 60:491-497. [PMID: 35013547 DOI: 10.1038/s41393-021-00734-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN An international multi-centred, double-blinded, randomised sham-controlled trial (eWALK). OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of 12 weeks of transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) combined with locomotor training on walking ability in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING Dedicated SCI research centres in Australia, Spain, USA and Scotland. METHODS Fifty community-dwelling individuals with chronic SCI will be recruited. Participants will be eligible if they have bilateral motor levels between T1 and T11, a reproducible lower limb muscle contraction in at least one muscle group, and a Walking Index for SCI II (WISCI II) between 1 and 6. Eligible participants will be randomised to one of two groups, either the active stimulation group or the sham stimulation group. Participants allocated to the stimulation group will receive TSS combined with locomotor training for three 30-min sessions a week for 12 weeks. The locomotor sessions will include walking on a treadmill and overground. Participants allocated to the sham stimulation group will receive the same locomotor training combined with sham stimulation. The primary outcome will be walking ability with stimulation using the WISCI II. Secondary outcomes will record sensation, strength, spasticity, bowel function and quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION ANZCTR.org.au identifier ACTRN12620001241921.
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de Freitas RM, Capogrosso M, Nomura T, Milosevic M. Optimizing sensory fiber activation during cervical transcutaneous spinal stimulation using different electrode configurations: A computational analysis. Artif Organs 2022; 46:2015-2026. [PMID: 35642297 DOI: 10.1111/aor.14323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a rehabilitation tool which has been used to promote upper-limb motor recovery after spinal cord injury. Importantly, optimizing sensory fiber activation at specific spinal segments could enable activity-dependent neuromodulation during rehabilitation. METHODS An anatomically realistic cervical tSCS computational model was used to analyze the activation of α-motor and Aα-sensory fibers at C7 and C8 spinal segments using nine cathode electrode configurations. Specifically, the cathode was simulated at three vertebral level positions: C6, C7, and T1; and in three sizes: 5.0 x 5.0, 3.5 x 3.5; and 2.5 x 2.5 cm2 , while the anode was on the anterior neck. Finite element method was used to estimate the electric potential distribution along α-motor and Aα-sensory fibers, and computational models were applied to simulate the fiber membrane dynamics during tSCS. The minimum stimulation intensity necessary to activate the fibers (activation threshold) was estimated and compared across cathode configurations in an effort to optimize sensory fiber activation. RESULTS Our results showed that nerve fibers at both C7 and C8 spinal segments were recruited at lower stimulation intensities when the cathode was positioned over the C7 or T1 vertebra compared with the C6 position. Sensory fibers were activated at lower stimulation intensities using smaller electrodes, which could also affect the degree of nerve fiber activation across different positions. Importantly, Aα-sensory fibers were consistently recruited before α-motor fibers. CONCLUSIONS These results imply that cathode positioning could help optimize preferential activation of hand muscles during cervical tSCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto M de Freitas
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Osaka University, Japan
| | - Marco Capogrosso
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.,Rehab and Neural Engineering Labs, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Taishin Nomura
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Osaka University, Japan
| | - Matija Milosevic
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Osaka University, Japan
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19
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de Freitas RM, Capogrosso M, Nomura T, Milosevic M. Preferential activation of proprioceptive and cutaneous sensory fibers compared to motor fibers during cervical transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation: A computational study. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 35472720 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac6a7c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cervical transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a promising technology that can support motor function recovery of upper-limbs after spinal cord injury. Its efficacy may depend on the ability to recruit sensory afferents, conveying excitatory inputs onto motoneurons. Therefore, understanding its physiological mechanisms is critical to accelerate its development towards clinical applications. In this study, we used an anatomically realistic cervical tSCS computational model to compare α-motor, Aα-sensory, and Aβ-sensory fiber activation thresholds and activation sites. APPROACH We developed a 3D geometry of the cervical body and tSCS electrodes with a cathode centred at the C7 spinous process and an anode placed over the anterior neck. The geometrical model was used to estimate the electric potential distributions along motor and sensory fiber trajectories at the C7 spinal level using a finite element method. We implemented dedicated motor and sensory fiber models to simulate the α-motor and Aα-sensory fibers using 12, 16, and 20 µm diameter fibers, and Aβ-sensory fibers using 6, 9, and 12 µm diameter fibers. We estimated nerve fiber activation thresholds and sites for a 2 ms monophasic stimulating pulse and compared them across the fiber groups. MAIN RESULTS Our results showed lower activation thresholds of Aα- and Aβ-sensory fibers compared with α-motor fibers, suggesting preferential sensory fiber activation. We also found no differences between activation thresholds of Aα-sensory and large Aβ-sensory fibers, implying their co-activation. The activation sites were located at the dorsal and ventral root levels. SIGNIFICANCE Using a realistic computational model, we demonstrated preferential activation of dorsal root Aα- and Aβ-sensory fibers compared with ventral root α-motor fibers during cervical tSCS. These findings suggest high proprioceptive and cutaneous contributions to neural activations during cervical tSCS, which inform the underlying mechanisms of upper-limb functional motor recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto M de Freitas
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka, 560-8531, JAPAN
| | - Marco Capogrosso
- University of Pittsburgh, 3520, Fifth Av., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15261, UNITED STATES
| | - Taishin Nomura
- Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Osaka University, Machikaneyama 1-3, Toyonaka City, Osaka 560- 8531, Toyonaka, 5608531, JAPAN
| | - Matija Milosevic
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3 Machikaneyama-cho, J520, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-8531, JAPAN
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20
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Atkinson DA, Steele AG, Manson GA, Sheynin J, Oh J, Gerasimenko YP, Sayenko DG. Characterization of interlimb interaction via transcutaneous spinal stimulation of cervical and lumbar spinal enlargements. J Neurophysiol 2022; 127:1075-1085. [PMID: 35320019 PMCID: PMC8993515 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00456.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of transcutaneous electrical spinal stimulation (TSS) to modulate sensorimotor networks after neurological insult has garnered much attention from both researchers and clinicians in recent years. Although many different stimulation paradigms have been reported, the interlimb effects of these neuromodulation techniques have been little studied. The effects of multisite TSS on interlimb sensorimotor function are of particular interest in the context of neurorehabilitation, as these networks have been shown to be important for functional recovery after neurological insult. The present study utilized a condition-test paradigm to investigate the effects of interenlargement TSS on spinal motor excitability in both cervical and lumbosacral motor pools. Additionally, comparison was made between the conditioning effects of lumbosacral and cervical TSS and peripheral stimulation of the fibular nerve and ulnar nerve, respectively. In 16/16 supine, relaxed participants, facilitation of spinally evoked motor responses (sEMRs) in arm muscles was seen in response to lumbosacral TSS or fibular nerve stimulation, whereas facilitation of sEMRs in leg muscles was seen in response to cervical TSS or ulnar nerve stimulation. The decreased latency between TSS- and peripheral nerve-evoked conditioning implicates interlimb networks in the observed facilitation of motor output. The results demonstrate the ability of multisite TSS to engage interlimb networks, resulting in the bidirectional influence of cervical and lumbosacral motor output. The engagement of interlimb networks via TSS of the cervical and lumbosacral enlargements represents a feasible method for engaging spinal sensorimotor networks in clinical populations with compromised motor function.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Bidirectional interlimb modulation of spinal motor excitability can be evoked by transcutaneous spinal stimulation over the cervical and lumbosacral enlargements. Multisite transcutaneous spinal stimulation engages spinal sensorimotor networks thought to be important in the recovery of function after spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. A. Atkinson
- Doctor of Physical Therapy program, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Austin, Texas
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - A. G. Steele
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - G. A. Manson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
- School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - J. Sheynin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Houston, Texas
| | - J. Oh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Y. P. Gerasimenko
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - D. G. Sayenko
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
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21
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Rahman MA, Tharu NS, Gustin SM, Zheng YP, Alam M. Trans-Spinal Electrical Stimulation Therapy for Functional Rehabilitation after Spinal Cord Injury: Review. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11061550. [PMID: 35329875 PMCID: PMC8954138 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11061550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most debilitating injuries in the world. Complications after SCI, such as respiratory issues, bowel/bladder incontinency, pressure ulcers, autonomic dysreflexia, spasticity, pain, etc., lead to immense suffering, a remarkable reduction in life expectancy, and even premature death. Traditional rehabilitations for people with SCI are often insignificant or ineffective due to the severity and complexity of the injury. However, the recent development of noninvasive electrical neuromodulation treatments to the spinal cord have shed a ray of hope for these individuals to regain some of their lost functions, a reduction in secondary complications, and an improvement in their life quality. For this review, 250 articles were screened and about 150 were included to summarize the two most promising noninvasive spinal cord electrical stimulation methods of SCI rehabilitation treatment, namely, trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) and trans-spinal pulsed current stimulation (tsPCS). Both treatments have demonstrated good success in not only improving the sensorimotor function, but also autonomic functions. Due to the noninvasive nature and lower costs of these treatments, in the coming years, we expect these treatments to be integrated into regular rehabilitation therapies worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Akhlasur Rahman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; (M.A.R.); (N.S.T.); (Y.-P.Z.)
- Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), Savar Union 1343, Bangladesh
| | - Niraj Singh Tharu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; (M.A.R.); (N.S.T.); (Y.-P.Z.)
| | - Sylvia M. Gustin
- NeuroRecovery Research Hub, School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia;
- Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Yong-Ping Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; (M.A.R.); (N.S.T.); (Y.-P.Z.)
| | - Monzurul Alam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; (M.A.R.); (N.S.T.); (Y.-P.Z.)
- NeuroRecovery Research Hub, School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia;
- Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +852-6213-5054
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22
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Neural Substrates of Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation: Neuromodulation across Multiple Segments of the Spinal Cord. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030639. [PMID: 35160091 PMCID: PMC8836636 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) has the potential to promote improved sensorimotor rehabilitation by modulating the circuitry of the spinal cord non-invasively. Little is currently known about how cervical or lumbar tSCS influences the excitability of spinal and corticospinal networks, or whether the synergistic effects of multi-segmental tSCS occur between remote segments of the spinal cord. The aim of this review is to describe the emergence and development of tSCS as a novel method to modulate the spinal cord, while highlighting the effectiveness of tSCS in improving sensorimotor recovery after spinal cord injury. This review underscores the ability of single-site tSCS to alter excitability across multiple segments of the spinal cord, while multiple sites of tSCS converge to facilitate spinal reflex and corticospinal networks. Finally, the potential and current limitations for engaging cervical and lumbar spinal cord networks through tSCS to enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions are discussed. Further mechanistic work is needed in order to optimize targeted rehabilitation strategies and improve clinical outcomes.
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23
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Burns M, Solinsky R. Toward rebalancing blood pressure instability after spinal cord injury with spinal cord electrical stimulation: A mini review and critique of the evolving literature. Auton Neurosci 2022; 237:102905. [PMID: 34800845 PMCID: PMC9280330 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
High-level spinal cord injury commonly leads to blood pressure instability. This manifests clinically as orthostatic hypotension (OH), where blood pressure can drop to the point of loss of consciousness, and autonomic dysreflexia (AD), where systolic blood pressure can climb to over 300 mmHg in response to an unperceived noxious stimulus. These blood pressure fluctuations can occur multiple times a day, contributing to increased vessel shear stress and heightened risk of cardiovascular disease. The pathophysiology of both of these conditions is rooted in impairments in regulation of spinal cord sympathetic preganglionic neurons, which control blood pressure by mediating vascular resistance and catecholamine release. Recently, spinal cord electrical stimulation has provided evidence that it may modulate these blood pressure imbalances. Early proposed mechanisms suggest activation of spinal cord dorsal horn neurons that ultimately act upon the sympathetic preganglionic neuronal pathways. For OH, spinal cord stimulation likely induces local activation of these neurons to generate baseline sympathetic tone and accompanying vasoconstriction. The mechanisms for spinal stimulation regulating AD are less clear, though some suggest it activates inhibitory circuits to dampen the overactive sympathetic response. While questions remain, spinal cord electrical stimulation is an intriguing new modality that may restore blood pressure regulation following spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Burns
- Boston University School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Sciences
| | - Ryan Solinsky
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital,Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School,Spaulding Research Institute
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24
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Steele AG, Atkinson DA, Varghese B, Oh J, Markley RL, Sayenko DG. Characterization of Spinal Sensorimotor Network Using Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation during Voluntary Movement Preparation and Performance. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10245958. [PMID: 34945253 PMCID: PMC8709482 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10245958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous electrical spinal stimulation (TSS) can be used to selectively activate motor pools based on their anatomical arrangements in the lumbosacral enlargement. These spatial patterns of spinal motor activation may have important clinical implications, especially when there is a need to target specific muscle groups. However, our understanding of the net effects and interplay between the motor pools projecting to agonist and antagonist muscles during the preparation and performance of voluntary movements is still limited. The present study was designed to systematically investigate and differentiate the multi-segmental convergence of supraspinal inputs on the lumbosacral neural network before and during the execution of voluntary leg movements in neurologically intact participants. During the experiments, participants (N = 13) performed isometric (1) knee flexion and (2) extension, as well as (3) plantarflexion and (4) dorsiflexion. TSS consisting of a pair pulse with 50 ms interstimulus interval was delivered over the T12-L1 vertebrae during the muscle contractions, as well as within 50 to 250 ms following the auditory or tactile stimuli, to characterize the temporal profiles of net spinal motor output during movement preparation. Facilitation of evoked motor potentials in the ipsilateral agonists and contralateral antagonists emerged as early as 50 ms following the cue and increased prior to movement onset. These results suggest that the descending drive modulates the activity of the inter-neuronal circuitry within spinal sensorimotor networks in specific, functionally relevant spatiotemporal patterns, which has a direct implication for the characterization of the state of those networks in individuals with neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander G. Steele
- Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6550 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.G.S.); (D.A.A.); (B.V.); (J.O.); (R.L.M.)
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Houston, E413 Engineering Bldg 2, 4726 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Darryn A. Atkinson
- Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6550 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.G.S.); (D.A.A.); (B.V.); (J.O.); (R.L.M.)
- College of Rehabilitative Sciences, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, 5401 La Crosse Avenue, Austin, TX 78739, USA
| | - Blesson Varghese
- Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6550 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.G.S.); (D.A.A.); (B.V.); (J.O.); (R.L.M.)
| | - Jeonghoon Oh
- Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6550 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.G.S.); (D.A.A.); (B.V.); (J.O.); (R.L.M.)
| | - Rachel L. Markley
- Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6550 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.G.S.); (D.A.A.); (B.V.); (J.O.); (R.L.M.)
| | - Dimitry G. Sayenko
- Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6550 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.G.S.); (D.A.A.); (B.V.); (J.O.); (R.L.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-713-363-9910
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25
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Taylor C, McHugh C, Mockler D, Minogue C, Reilly RB, Fleming N. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation and motor responses in individuals with spinal cord injury: A methodological review. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260166. [PMID: 34793572 PMCID: PMC8601579 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a non-invasive modality in which electrodes can stimulate spinal circuitries and facilitate a motor response. This review aimed to evaluate the methodology of studies using tSCS to generate motor activity in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to appraise the quality of included trials. Methods A systematic search for studies published until May 2021 was made of the following databases: EMBASE, Medline (Ovid) and Web of Science. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted the data, and evaluated the quality of included trials. The electrical characteristics of stimulation were summarised to allow for comparison across studies. In addition, the surface electromyography (EMG) recording methods were evaluated. Results A total of 3753 articles were initially screened, of which 25 met the criteria for inclusion. Studies were divided into those using tSCS for neurophysiological investigations of reflex responses (n = 9) and therapeutic investigations of motor recovery (n = 16). The overall quality of evidence was deemed to be poor-to-fair (10.5 ± 4.9) based on the Downs and Black Quality Checklist criteria. The electrical characteristics were collated to establish the dosage range across stimulation trials. The methods employed by included studies relating to stimulation parameters and outcome measurement varied extensively, although some trends are beginning to appear in relation to electrode configuration and EMG outcomes. Conclusion This review outlines the parameters currently employed for tSCS of the cervicothoracic and thoracolumbar regions to produce motor responses. However, to establish standardised procedures for neurophysiological assessments and therapeutic investigations of tSCS, further high-quality investigations are required, ideally utilizing consistent electrophysiological recording methods, and reporting common characteristics of the electrical stimulation administered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Taylor
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- * E-mail:
| | - Conor McHugh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David Mockler
- John Stearne Medical Library, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, School of Medicine, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Conor Minogue
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard B. Reilly
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Engineering, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Neil Fleming
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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26
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Wecht JR, Savage WM, Famodimu GO, Mendez GA, Levine JM, Maher MT, Weir JP, Wecht JM, Carmel JB, Wu YK, Harel NY. Posteroanterior Cervical Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation: Interactions with Cortical and Peripheral Nerve Stimulation. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10225304. [PMID: 34830584 PMCID: PMC8623612 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10225304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) has demonstrated potential to beneficially modulate spinal cord motor and autonomic circuitry. We are interested in pairing cervical TSCS with other forms of nervous system stimulation to enhance synaptic plasticity in circuits serving hand function. We use a novel configuration for cervical TSCS in which the anode is placed anteriorly over ~C4–C5 and the cathode posteriorly over ~T2–T4. We measured the effects of single pulses of TSCS paired with single pulses of motor cortex or median nerve stimulation timed to arrive at the cervical spinal cord at varying intervals. In 13 participants with and 15 participants without chronic cervical spinal cord injury, we observed that subthreshold TSCS facilitates hand muscle responses to motor cortex stimulation, with a tendency toward greater facilitation when TSCS is timed to arrive at cervical synapses simultaneously or up to 10 milliseconds after cortical stimulus arrival. Single pulses of subthreshold TSCS had no effect on the amplitudes of median H-reflex responses or F-wave responses. These findings support a model in which TSCS paired with appropriately timed cortical stimulation has the potential to facilitate convergent transmission between descending motor circuits, segmental afferents, and spinal motor neurons serving the hand. Studies with larger numbers of participants and repetitively paired cortical and spinal stimulation are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn R. Wecht
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; (J.R.W.); (W.M.S.); (G.O.F.); (G.A.M.); (J.M.L.); (M.T.M.); (J.M.W.); (Y.-K.W.)
| | - William M. Savage
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; (J.R.W.); (W.M.S.); (G.O.F.); (G.A.M.); (J.M.L.); (M.T.M.); (J.M.W.); (Y.-K.W.)
| | - Grace O. Famodimu
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; (J.R.W.); (W.M.S.); (G.O.F.); (G.A.M.); (J.M.L.); (M.T.M.); (J.M.W.); (Y.-K.W.)
| | - Gregory A. Mendez
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; (J.R.W.); (W.M.S.); (G.O.F.); (G.A.M.); (J.M.L.); (M.T.M.); (J.M.W.); (Y.-K.W.)
| | - Jonah M. Levine
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; (J.R.W.); (W.M.S.); (G.O.F.); (G.A.M.); (J.M.L.); (M.T.M.); (J.M.W.); (Y.-K.W.)
| | - Matthew T. Maher
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; (J.R.W.); (W.M.S.); (G.O.F.); (G.A.M.); (J.M.L.); (M.T.M.); (J.M.W.); (Y.-K.W.)
| | - Joseph P. Weir
- Department of Health, Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA;
| | - Jill M. Wecht
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; (J.R.W.); (W.M.S.); (G.O.F.); (G.A.M.); (J.M.L.); (M.T.M.); (J.M.W.); (Y.-K.W.)
- Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jason B. Carmel
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA;
| | - Yu-Kuang Wu
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; (J.R.W.); (W.M.S.); (G.O.F.); (G.A.M.); (J.M.L.); (M.T.M.); (J.M.W.); (Y.-K.W.)
- Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Noam Y. Harel
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; (J.R.W.); (W.M.S.); (G.O.F.); (G.A.M.); (J.M.L.); (M.T.M.); (J.M.W.); (Y.-K.W.)
- Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Correspondence:
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27
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Calvert JS, Gill ML, Linde MB, Veith DD, Thoreson AR, Lopez C, Lee KH, Gerasimenko YP, Edgerton VR, Lavrov IA, Zhao KD, Grahn PJ, Sayenko DG. Voluntary Modulation of Evoked Responses Generated by Epidural and Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation in Humans with Spinal Cord Injury. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10214898. [PMID: 34768418 PMCID: PMC8584516 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10214898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous (TSS) and epidural spinal stimulation (ESS) are electrophysiological techniques that have been used to investigate the interactions between exogenous electrical stimuli and spinal sensorimotor networks that integrate descending motor signals with afferent inputs from the periphery during motor tasks such as standing and stepping. Recently, pilot-phase clinical trials using ESS and TSS have demonstrated restoration of motor functions that were previously lost due to spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the spinal network interactions that occur in response to TSS or ESS pulses with spared descending connections across the site of SCI have yet to be characterized. Therefore, we examined the effects of delivering TSS or ESS pulses to the lumbosacral spinal cord in nine individuals with chronic SCI. During low-frequency stimulation, participants were instructed to relax or attempt maximum voluntary contraction to perform full leg flexion while supine. We observed similar lower-extremity neuromusculature activation during TSS and ESS when performed in the same participants while instructed to relax. Interestingly, when participants were instructed to attempt lower-extremity muscle contractions, both TSS- and ESS-evoked motor responses were significantly inhibited across all muscles. Participants with clinically complete SCI tested with ESS and participants with clinically incomplete SCI tested with TSS demonstrated greater ability to modulate evoked responses than participants with motor complete SCI tested with TSS, although this was not statistically significant due to a low number of subjects in each subgroup. These results suggest that descending commands combined with spinal stimulation may increase activity of inhibitory interneuronal circuitry within spinal sensorimotor networks in individuals with SCI, which may be relevant in the context of regaining functional motor outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S. Calvert
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Megan L. Gill
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
| | - Margaux B. Linde
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
| | - Daniel D. Veith
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
| | - Andrew R. Thoreson
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
| | - Cesar Lopez
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
| | - Kendall H. Lee
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Yury P. Gerasimenko
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology of Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Victor R. Edgerton
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Institut Guttmann, Hospital de Neurorehabilitació, Institut Universitari Adscrit a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo 2007, Australia
| | - Igor A. Lavrov
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Kristin D. Zhao
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Peter J. Grahn
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Dimitry G. Sayenko
- Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-713-363-7949
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Sasaki A, de Freitas RM, Sayenko DG, Masugi Y, Nomura T, Nakazawa K, Milosevic M. Low-Intensity and Short-Duration Continuous Cervical Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Intervention Does Not Prime the Corticospinal and Spinal Reflex Pathways in Able-Bodied Subjects. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10163633. [PMID: 34441927 PMCID: PMC8397025 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10163633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) has been utilized in applications for improving upper-limb sensory and motor function in patients with spinal cord injury. Although therapeutic effects of continuous cervical tSCS interventions have been reported, neurophysiological mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Specifically, it is not clear whether sub-threshold intensity and 10-min duration continuous cervical tSCS intervention can affect the central nervous system excitability. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate effects of sub-motor-threshold 10-min continuous cervical tSCS applied at rest on the corticospinal and spinal reflex circuit in ten able-bodied individuals. Neurophysiological assessments were conducted to investigate (1) corticospinal excitability via transcranial magnetic stimulation applied on the primary motor cortex to evoke motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and (2) spinal reflex excitability via single-pulse tSCS applied at the cervical level to evoke posterior root muscle (PRM) reflexes. Measurements were recorded from multiple upper-limb muscles before, during, and after the intervention. Our results showed that low-intensity and short-duration continuous cervical tSCS intervention applied at rest did not significantly affect corticospinal and spinal reflex excitability. The stimulation duration and/or intensity, as well as other stimulating parameters selection, may therefore be critical for inducing neuromodulatory effects during cervical tSCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Sasaki
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan; (A.S.); (Y.M.); (K.N.)
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan
| | - Roberto M. de Freitas
- Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Osaka 560-8531, Japan; (R.M.d.F.); (T.N.)
| | - Dimitry G. Sayenko
- Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Yohei Masugi
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan; (A.S.); (Y.M.); (K.N.)
- School of Health Sciences, Tokyo International University, Saitama 350-1197, Japan
| | - Taishin Nomura
- Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Osaka 560-8531, Japan; (R.M.d.F.); (T.N.)
| | - Kimitaka Nakazawa
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan; (A.S.); (Y.M.); (K.N.)
| | - Matija Milosevic
- Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Osaka 560-8531, Japan; (R.M.d.F.); (T.N.)
- Correspondence:
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Hogan MK, Barber SM, Rao Z, Kondiles BR, Huang M, Steele WJ, Yu C, Horner PJ. A wireless spinal stimulation system for ventral activation of the rat cervical spinal cord. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14900. [PMID: 34290260 PMCID: PMC8295294 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94047-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrical stimulation of the cervical spinal cord is gaining traction as a therapy following spinal cord injury; however, it is difficult to target the cervical motor region in a rodent using a non-penetrating stimulus compared with direct placement of intraspinal wire electrodes. Penetrating wire electrodes have been explored in rodent and pig models and, while they have proven beneficial in the injured spinal cord, the negative aspects of spinal parenchymal penetration (e.g., gliosis, neural tissue damage, and obdurate inflammation) are of concern when considering therapeutic potential. We therefore designed a novel approach for epidural stimulation of the rat spinal cord using a wireless stimulation system and ventral electrode array. Our approach allowed for preservation of mobility following surgery and was suitable for long term stimulation strategies in awake, freely functioning animals. Further, electrophysiology mapping of the ventral spinal cord revealed the ventral approach was suitable to target muscle groups of the rat forelimb and, at a single electrode lead position, different stimulation protocols could be applied to achieve unique activation patterns of the muscles of the forelimb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew K Hogan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, USA.
| | - Sean M Barber
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, USA
| | | | - Bethany R Kondiles
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, USA.,International Collaboration on Repair Discovories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Meng Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, USA
| | - William J Steele
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, USA
| | | | - Philip J Horner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, USA
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30
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de Freitas RM, Sasaki A, Sayenko DG, Masugi Y, Nomura T, Nakazawa K, Milosevic M. Selectivity and excitability of upper-limb muscle activation during cervical transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation in humans. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2021; 131:746-759. [PMID: 34138648 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00132.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) efficacy for rehabilitation of upper-limb motor function was suggested to depend on recruitment of Ia afferents. However, selectivity and excitability of motor activation with different electrode configurations remain unclear. In this study, activation of upper-limb motor pools was examined with different cathode and anode configurations during cervical tSCS in 10 able-bodied individuals. Muscle responses were measured from six upper-limb muscles simultaneously. First, postactivation depression was confirmed with tSCS paired pulses (50-ms interval) for each cathode configuration (C6, C7, and T1 vertebral levels), with anode on the anterior neck. Selectivity and excitability of activation of the upper-limb motor pools were examined by comparing the recruitment curves (10-100 mA) of first evoked responses across muscles and cathode configurations. Our results showed that hand muscles were preferentially activated when the cathode was placed over T1 compared with the other vertebral levels, whereas there was no selectivity for proximal arm muscles. Furthermore, higher stimulation intensities were required to activate distal hand muscles than proximal arm muscles, suggesting different excitability thresholds between muscles. In a separate protocol, responses were compared between anode configurations (anterior neck, shoulders, iliac crests, and back), with one selected cathode configuration. The level of discomfort was also assessed. Largest muscle responses were elicited with the anode configuration over the anterior neck, whereas there were no differences in the discomfort. Our results therefore inform methodological considerations for electrode configuration to help optimize recruitment of Ia afferents during cervical tSCS.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We examined selectivity and excitability of motor activation in multiple upper-limb muscles during cervical transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation with different cathode and anode configurations. Hand muscles were more activated when the cathode was configured over the T1 vertebra compared with C6 and C7 locations. Higher stimulation intensities were required to activate distal hand muscles than proximal arm muscles. Finally, configuration of anode over anterior neck elicited larger responses compared with other configurations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto M de Freitas
- Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Sasaki
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Japan.,Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Chiyoda, Japan
| | - Dimitry G Sayenko
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Yohei Masugi
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Japan.,Institute of Sports Medicine and Science, Tokyo International University, Kawagoe, Japan
| | - Taishin Nomura
- Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Kimitaka Nakazawa
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Japan
| | - Matija Milosevic
- Department of Mechanical Science and Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Japan
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31
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Sharma P, Shah PK. In vivo electrophysiological mechanisms underlying cervical epidural stimulation in adult rats. J Physiol 2021; 599:3121-3150. [PMID: 33894695 DOI: 10.1113/jp281146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS To electrophysiologically determine the predominant neural structures activated with cervical epidural stimulation (ES), well-established electrophysiological protocols (single-pulse, paired-pulse and multiple frequency stimulation) were delivered at rest, during motor activity and under anaesthesia in adult rats. Cervical ES resulted in spinal evoked motor responses with three different waveforms - early response (ER), middle response (MR) and late response (LR). ERs remained unmodulated by repeated stimulation protocols. In contrast, MRs and LRs were modulated by repeated stimulation protocols and volitional motor activity. ERs are consequential to the direct activation of motor efferents; MRs are secondary to type-I sensory afferent activation and LRs result from the engagement of wider spinal interneuronal circuitry with potential influence from supraspinal pathways. Evidence from this work is fundamental in enhancing our understanding of cervical ES, and critical in refining the design of neuromodulation-based rehabilitative strategies and in the construction of neuroprosthetics. ABSTRACT Epidural stimulation (ES) of the lumbar spinal cord has demonstrated significant improvements in various physiological functions after a traumatic spinal cord injury in humans. Electrophysiological evidence from rodent, human and computational studies collectively suggest that the functional recovery following lumbar ES is mediated via direct activation of sensory afferent fibres. However, the mechanisms underlying cervical ES have not been comprehensively studied, which greatly limits our understanding of its effectiveness in restoring upper limb function. In this work, we determined the predominant neural structures that are activated with cervical ES using in vivo cervical spinal evoked motor responses (SEMRs). Standard electrophysiological protocols (single-pulse, paired-pulse and multiple frequency stimulation) were implemented in 11 awake and anaesthetized rats in four experimental stages. Three distinct types of cervical SEMRs were identified based on latency of their appearance: early response (ER), middle response (MR) and late response (LR). ERs remained unmodulated by repeated stimulation protocols. MRs and LRs were modulated by repeated stimulation protocols and volitional motor activity. Except for LRs being completely abolished under urethane, ketamine or urethane anaesthesia did not affect the appearance of cervical SEMRs. Our data, backed by literature, suggest that ERs are secondary to the direct activation of motor efferents, MRs are elicited by activation of type-I sensory afferents and LRs result from the engagement of interneuronal circuitry with potential influence from supraspinal pathways. The gathered information paves the way to designing motor rehabilitation strategies that can utilize cervical ES to recover upper limb function following neurological deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawan Sharma
- Division of Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Technology and Management, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11727, USA
| | - Prithvi K Shah
- Division of Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Technology and Management, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11727, USA
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Martins Â, Gouveia D, Cardoso A, Gamboa Ó, Millis D, Ferreira A. Nervous system modulation through electrical stimulation in companion animals. Acta Vet Scand 2021; 63:22. [PMID: 34053462 PMCID: PMC8167506 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-021-00585-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Domestic animals with severe spontaneous spinal cord injury (SCI), including dogs and cats that are deep pain perception negative (DPP-), can benefit from specific evaluations involving neurorehabilitation integrative protocols. In human medicine, patients without deep pain sensation, classified as grade A on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale, can recover after multidisciplinary approaches that include rehabilitation modalities, such as functional electrical stimulation (FES), transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation (TESCS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS). This review intends to explore the history, biophysics, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy and the parameters of FES, TESCS, and TDCS, as safe and noninvasive rehabilitation modalities applied in the veterinary field. Additional studies need to be conducted in clinical settings to successfully implement these guidelines in dogs and cats.
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Tchantchaleishvili V. Matija Milosevic to serve as an Associate Editor of Artificial Organs. Artif Organs 2021; 45:542-543. [PMID: 33982287 DOI: 10.1111/aor.13977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Kumru H, Flores Á, Rodríguez-Cañón M, Edgerton VR, García L, Benito-Penalva J, Navarro X, Gerasimenko Y, García-Alías G, Vidal J. Cervical Electrical Neuromodulation Effectively Enhances Hand Motor Output in Healthy Subjects by Engaging a Use-Dependent Intervention. J Clin Med 2021; 10:E195. [PMID: 33430460 PMCID: PMC7827883 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10020195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrical enabling motor control (eEmc) through transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation is a non-invasive method that can modify the functional state of the sensory-motor system. We hypothesize that eEmc delivery, together with hand training, improves hand function in healthy subjects more than either intervention alone by inducing plastic changes at spinal and cortical levels. Ten voluntary participants were included in the following three interventions: (i) hand grip training, (ii) eEmc, and (iii) eEmc with hand training. Functional evaluation included the box and blocks test (BBT) and hand grip maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), spinal and cortical motor evoked potential (sMEP and cMEP), and resting motor thresholds (RMT), short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), and F wave in the abductor pollicis brevis muscle. eEmc combined with hand training retained MVC and increased F wave amplitude and persistency, reduced cortical RMT and facilitated cMEP amplitude. In contrast, eEmc alone only increased F wave amplitude, whereas hand training alone reduced MVC and increased cortical RMT and SICI. In conclusion, eEmc combined with hand grip training enhanced hand motor output and induced plastic changes at spinal and cortical level in healthy subjects when compared to either intervention alone. These data suggest that electrical neuromodulation changes spinal and, perhaps, supraspinal networks to a more malleable state, while a concomitant use-dependent mechanism drives these networks to a higher functional state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice Kumru
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació Adscrit a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (V.R.E.); (L.G.); (J.B.-P.); (X.N.); (G.G.-A.); (J.V.)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - África Flores
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia & Insititute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and CIBERNED, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (Á.F.); (M.R.-C.)
| | - María Rodríguez-Cañón
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia & Insititute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and CIBERNED, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (Á.F.); (M.R.-C.)
| | - Victor R. Edgerton
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació Adscrit a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (V.R.E.); (L.G.); (J.B.-P.); (X.N.); (G.G.-A.); (J.V.)
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Loreto García
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació Adscrit a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (V.R.E.); (L.G.); (J.B.-P.); (X.N.); (G.G.-A.); (J.V.)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Jesús Benito-Penalva
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació Adscrit a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (V.R.E.); (L.G.); (J.B.-P.); (X.N.); (G.G.-A.); (J.V.)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Xavier Navarro
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació Adscrit a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (V.R.E.); (L.G.); (J.B.-P.); (X.N.); (G.G.-A.); (J.V.)
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia & Insititute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and CIBERNED, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (Á.F.); (M.R.-C.)
| | - Yury Gerasimenko
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Guillermo García-Alías
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació Adscrit a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (V.R.E.); (L.G.); (J.B.-P.); (X.N.); (G.G.-A.); (J.V.)
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia & Insititute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and CIBERNED, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (Á.F.); (M.R.-C.)
| | - Joan Vidal
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació Adscrit a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (V.R.E.); (L.G.); (J.B.-P.); (X.N.); (G.G.-A.); (J.V.)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain
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Inanici F, Brighton LN, Samejima S, Hofstetter CP, Moritz CT. Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Restores Hand and Arm Function After Spinal Cord Injury. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2021; 29:310-319. [DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2021.3049133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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36
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Qian Q, Ling YT, Zhong H, Zheng YP, Alam M. Restoration of arm and hand functions via noninvasive cervical cord neuromodulation after traumatic brain injury: a case study. Brain Inj 2020; 34:1771-1780. [PMID: 33264033 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2020.1850864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation (tES) on upper limb functional rehabilitation in a patient with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to identify the optimum stimulation parameters of tES. Design: A preliminary case study. Methods: Two successive interventions: Phase I-voluntary physical training (vPT) and Phase II - tES along with vPT (tES+vPT). tES was delivered at C3 and C6 cervical regions. Clinical assessments presented the variation of muscle tone and motor functions, before and after each training phase, and evaluated at 1-month follow up after the last intervention. Results: Our results indicate that vPT alone contributed to a release of muscle spasticity of both arms of the patient with no significant improvement of hand function, while tES+vPT further reduced the spasticity of the left arm, and improved the voluntary motor function of both arms. The grip forces were also increased after the tES+vPT treatment. We found that 1 ms biphasic tES at 30 Hz produced optimum motor outputs. Conclusion: The study demonstrates, for the first time, the potential benefits of cervical tES in regard to improving upper limb motor functions in a patient with chronic TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyang Qian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Yan To Ling
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Hui Zhong
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California , Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Yong-Ping Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Monzurul Alam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hung Hom, Hong Kong
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Spungen AM, Bauman WA, Biswas K, Jones KM, Snodgrass AJ, Goetz LL, Gorman PH, Kirshblum S, Sabharwal S, White KT, Asselin PK, Morin KG, Cirnigliaro CM, Huang GD. The design of a randomized control trial of exoskeletal-assisted walking in the home and community on quality of life in persons with chronic spinal cord injury. Contemp Clin Trials 2020; 96:106102. [PMID: 32800962 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2020.106102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
There are more than 300,000 estimated cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States, and approximately 27,000 of these are Veterans. Immobilization from SCI results in adverse secondary medical conditions and reduced quality of life. Veterans with SCI who have completed rehabilitation after injury and are unable to ambulate receive a wheelchair as standard of care. Powered exoskeletons are a technology that offers an alternative form of limited mobility by enabling over-ground walking through an external framework for support and computer-controlled motorized hip and knee joints. Few studies have reported the safety and efficacy for use of these devices in the home and community environments, and none evaluated their impact on patient-centered outcomes through a randomized clinical trial (RCT). Absence of reported RCTs for powered exoskeletons may be due to a range of challenges, including designing, statistically powering, and conducting such a trial within an appropriate experimental framework. An RCT for the study of exoskeletal-assisted walking in the home and community environments also requires the need to address key factors such as: avoiding selection bias, participant recruitment and retention, training, and safety concerns, particularly in the home environment. These points are described here in the context of a national, multisite Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program-sponsored trial. The rationale and methods for the study design were focused on providing a template for future studies that use powered exoskeletons or other strategies for walking and mobility in people with immobilization due to SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Spungen
- National Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, United States of America; Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States of America; Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States of America.
| | - William A Bauman
- National Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, United States of America; Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States of America; Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States of America.
| | - Kousick Biswas
- Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, VA Maryland Health Care System, Perry Point, MD 21902, United States of America.
| | - Karen M Jones
- Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, VA Maryland Health Care System, Perry Point, MD 21902, United States of America.
| | - Amanda J Snodgrass
- VA Cooperative Studies Program Clinical Research Pharmacy Coordinating Center, Albuquerque, NM 87106, United States of America; University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM 87106, United States of America.
| | - Lance L Goetz
- Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23249, United States of America; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, United States of America.
| | - Peter H Gorman
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America; VA Maryland Healthcare System, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America.
| | - Steven Kirshblum
- Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, West Orange, NJ 07052, United States of America; Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, United States of America; Kessler Foundation, West Orange, NJ 07052, United States of America.
| | - Sunil Sabharwal
- VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, MA 02130, United States of America; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America.
| | - Kevin T White
- James A Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL 33612, United States of America; University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, United States of America.
| | - Pierre K Asselin
- National Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, United States of America; Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States of America.
| | - Kel G Morin
- National Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, United States of America.
| | - Christopher M Cirnigliaro
- National Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10468, United States of America.
| | - Grant D Huang
- Cooperative Studies Program Central Office, VA Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC 20420, United States of America.
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Islam MA, Zaaya M, Comiskey E, Demetrio J, O’Keefe A, Palazzo N, Pulverenti TS, Knikou M. Modulation of soleus H-reflex excitability following cervical transspinal conditioning stimulation in humans. Neurosci Lett 2020; 732:135052. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Zheng Y, Hu X. Elicited upper limb motions through transcutaneous cervical spinal cord stimulation. J Neural Eng 2020; 17:036001. [DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ab8f6f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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40
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Manson GA, Calvert JS, Ling J, Tychhon B, Ali A, Sayenko DG. The relationship between maximum tolerance and motor activation during transcutaneous spinal stimulation is unaffected by the carrier frequency or vibration. Physiol Rep 2020; 8:e14397. [PMID: 32170844 PMCID: PMC7070156 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) is a useful tool to modulate spinal sensorimotor circuits and has emerged as a potential treatment for motor disorders in neurologically impaired populations. One major limitation of TSS is the discomfort associated with high levels of stimulation during the experimental procedure. The objective of this study was to examine if the discomfort caused by TSS can be alleviated using different stimulation paradigms in a neurologically intact population. Tolerance to TSS delivered using conventional biphasic balanced rectangular pulses was compared to two alternative stimulation paradigms: a 5 kHz carrier frequency and biphasic balanced rectangular pulses combined with vibrotactile stimulation. In ten healthy participants, tolerance to TSS was examined using both single-pulse (0.2 Hz) and continuous (30 Hz) stimulation protocols. In both the single-pulse and continuous stimulation protocols, participants tolerated significantly higher levels of stimulation with the carrier frequency paradigm compared to the other stimulation paradigms. However, when the maximum tolerable stimulation intensity of each stimulation paradigm was normalized to the intensity required to evoke a lower limb muscle response, there were no statistical differences between the stimulation paradigms. Our results suggest that, when considering the intensity of stimulation required to obtain spinally evoked motor potentials, neither alternative stimulation paradigm is more effective at reducing discomfort than the conventional, unmodulated pulse configuration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerome A Manson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan S Calvert
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA.,Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jeremiah Ling
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Boranai Tychhon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amir Ali
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dimitry G Sayenko
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
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Zheng Y, Hu X. Muscle activation pattern elicited through transcutaneous stimulation near the cervical spinal cord. J Neural Eng 2020; 17:016064. [DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ab5e09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Cortical and Subcortical Effects of Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation in Humans with Tetraplegia. J Neurosci 2020; 40:2633-2643. [PMID: 31996455 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2374-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of studies supports the view that transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the spinal cord (TESS) promotes functional recovery in humans with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the neural mechanisms contributing to these effects remain poorly understood. Here we examined motor-evoked potentials in arm muscles elicited by cortical and subcortical stimulation of corticospinal axons before and after 20 min of TESS (30 Hz pulses with a 5 kHz carrier frequency) and sham-TESS applied between C5 and C6 spinous processes in males and females with and without chronic incomplete cervical SCI. The amplitude of subcortical, but not cortical, motor-evoked potentials increased in proximal and distal arm muscles for 75 min after TESS, but not sham-TESS, in control subjects and SCI participants, suggesting a subcortical origin for these effects. Intracortical inhibition, elicited by paired stimuli, increased after TESS in both groups. When TESS was applied without the 5 kHz carrier frequency both subcortical and cortical motor-evoked potentials were facilitated without changing intracortical inhibition, suggesting that the 5 kHz carrier frequency contributed to the cortical inhibitory effects. Hand and arm function improved largely when TESS was used with, compared with without, the 5 kHz carrier frequency. These novel observations demonstrate that TESS influences cortical and spinal networks, having an excitatory effect at the spinal level and an inhibitory effect at the cortical level. We hypothesized that these parallel effects contribute to further the recovery of limb function following SCI.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Accumulating evidence supports the view that transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the spinal cord (TESS) promotes recovery of function in humans with spinal cord injury (SCI). Here, we show that a single session of TESS over the cervical spinal cord in individuals with incomplete chronic cervical SCI influenced in parallel the excitability cortical and spinal networks, having an excitatory effect at the spinal level and an inhibitory effect at the cortical level. Importantly, these parallel physiological effects had an impact on the magnitude of improvements in voluntary motor output.
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Wu YK, Levine JM, Wecht JR, Maher MT, LiMonta JM, Saeed S, Santiago TM, Bailey E, Kastuar S, Guber KS, Yung L, Weir JP, Carmel JB, Harel NY. Posteroanterior cervical transcutaneous spinal stimulation targets ventral and dorsal nerve roots. Clin Neurophysiol 2019; 131:451-460. [PMID: 31887616 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2019.11.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aim to non-invasively facilitate activation of spared neural circuits after cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We developed and tested a novel configuration for cervical transcutaneous spinal stimulation (cTSS). METHODS cTSS was delivered via electrodes placed over the midline at ~T2-T4 levels posteriorly and ~C4-C5 levels anteriorly. Electromyographic responses were measured in arm and hand muscles across a range of stimulus intensities. Double-pulse experiments were performed to assess homosynaptic post-activation depression (PAD). Safety was closely monitored. RESULTS More than 170 cTSS sessions were conducted without major safety or tolerability issues. A cathode-posterior, 2 ms biphasic waveform provided optimal stimulation characteristics. Bilateral upper extremity muscle responses were easily obtained in subjects with SCI and ALS. Resting motor threshold at the abductor pollicis brevis muscle ranged from 5.5 to 51.0 mA. As stimulus intensity increased, response latencies to all muscles decreased. PAD was incomplete at lower stimulus intensities, and decreased at higher stimulus intensities. CONCLUSIONS Posteroanterior cTSS has the capability to target motor neurons both trans-synaptically via large-diameter afferents and non-synaptically via efferent motor axons. SIGNIFICANCE Posteroanterior cTSS is well tolerated and easily activates upper extremity muscles in individuals with SCI and ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Kuang Wu
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jonah M Levine
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Jaclyn R Wecht
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Matthew T Maher
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - James M LiMonta
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Sana Saeed
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Tiffany M Santiago
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Eric Bailey
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Shivani Kastuar
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Kenneth S Guber
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Lok Yung
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA
| | - Joseph P Weir
- University of Kansas, 1301 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Jason B Carmel
- Columbia University, 650 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Noam Y Harel
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Calvert JS, Manson GA, Grahn PJ, Sayenko DG. Preferential activation of spinal sensorimotor networks via lateralized transcutaneous spinal stimulation in neurologically intact humans. J Neurophysiol 2019; 122:2111-2118. [PMID: 31553681 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00454.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS), a noninvasive technique to modulate sensorimotor circuitry within the spinal cord, has been shown to enable a wide range of functions that were thought to be permanently impaired in humans with spinal cord injury. However, the extent to which TSS can be used to target specific mediolateral spinal cord circuitry remains undefined. We tested the hypothesis that TSS applied unilaterally to the skin ~2 cm lateral to the midline of the lumbosacral spine selectively activates ipsilateral spinal sensorimotor circuitry, resulting in ipsilateral activation of downstream lower extremity neuromusculature. TSS cathodes and anodes were positioned lateral from the midline of the spine in 15 healthy subjects while supine, and the timing of TSS pulses was synchronized to recordings of lower extremity muscle activity and force. At motor threshold, left and right TSS-evoked muscle activity was significantly higher in the ipsilateral leg compared with contralateral recordings from the same muscles. Similarly, we observed a significant increase in force production in the ipsilateral leg compared with the contralateral leg. Delivery of paired TSS pulses, during which an initial stimulus was applied to one side of the spinal cord and 50 ms later a second stimulus was applied to the contralateral side, revealed that ipsilateral leg muscle responses decreased following the initial stimulus, whereas contralateral muscle responses did not decrease, indicating side-specific activation of lateral spinal sensorimotor circuitry. Our results indicate TSS can selectively engage ipsilateral neuromusculature via lumbosacral sensorimotor networks responsible for lower extremity function in healthy humans.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate the selectivity of transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS), which has been shown to enable function in humans with chronic paralysis. Specifically, we demonstrate that TSS applied to locations lateral to the spinal cord can selectively activate ipsilateral spinal sensorimotor networks. We quantified lumbosacral spinal network activity by recording lower extremity muscle electromyography and force. Our results suggest lumbosacral TSS engages side-specific spinal sensorimotor networks associated with ipsilateral lower extremity function in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S Calvert
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Gerome A Manson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Peter J Grahn
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.,Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Dimitry G Sayenko
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
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