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Scalia M, Borzuola R, Parrella M, Borriello G, Sica F, Monteleone F, Maida E, Macaluso A. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Does Not Influence Spinal Excitability in Multiple Sclerosis Patients. J Clin Med 2024; 13:704. [PMID: 38337396 PMCID: PMC10856365 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030704] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has beneficial effects on physical functions in Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying these functional improvements are still unclear. This study aims at comparing acute responses in spinal excitability, as measured by soleus Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex), between MS patients and healthy individuals, under three experimental conditions involving the ankle planta flexor muscles: (1) passive NMES (pNMES); (2) NMES superimposed onto isometric voluntary contraction (NMES+); and (3) isometric voluntary contraction (ISO). (2) Methods: In total, 20 MS patients (MS) and 20 healthy individuals as the control group (CG) took part in a single experimental session. Under each condition, participants performed 15 repetitions of 6 s at 20% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction, with 6 s of recovery between repetitions. Before and after each condition, H-reflex amplitudes were recorded. (3) Results: In MS, H-reflex amplitude did not change under any experimental condition (ISO: p = 0.506; pNMES: p = 0.068; NMES+: p = 0.126). In CG, H-reflex amplitude significantly increased under NMES+ (p = 0.01), decreased under pNMES (p < 0.000) and was unaltered under ISO (p = 0.829). (4) Conclusions: The different H-reflex responses between MS and CG might reflect a reduced ability of MS patients in modulating spinal excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Scalia
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy; (M.S.); (R.B.); (M.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Riccardo Borzuola
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy; (M.S.); (R.B.); (M.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Martina Parrella
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy; (M.S.); (R.B.); (M.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Giovanna Borriello
- Neurology Unit, San Pietro Fatebenefratelli Hospital, MS Centre, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Sica
- Santa Maria Goretti Hospital, 04100 Latina, Italy; (F.S.); (F.M.)
| | | | - Elisabetta Maida
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Andrea Macaluso
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy; (M.S.); (R.B.); (M.P.); (A.M.)
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Faw TD, Lakhani B, Schmalbrock P, Knopp MV, Lohse KR, Kramer JLK, Liu H, Nguyen HT, Phillips EG, Bratasz A, Fisher LC, Deibert RJ, Boyd LA, McTigue DM, Basso DM. Eccentric rehabilitation induces white matter plasticity and sensorimotor recovery in chronic spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2021; 346:113853. [PMID: 34464653 PMCID: PMC10084731 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Experience-dependent white matter plasticity offers new potential for rehabilitation-induced recovery after neurotrauma. This first-in-human translational experiment combined myelin water imaging in humans and genetic fate-mapping of oligodendrocyte lineage cells in mice to investigate whether downhill locomotor rehabilitation that emphasizes eccentric muscle actions promotes white matter plasticity and recovery in chronic, incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). In humans, of 20 individuals with SCI that enrolled, four passed the imaging screen and had myelin water imaging before and after a 12-week (3 times/week) downhill locomotor treadmill training program (SCI + DH). One individual was excluded for imaging artifacts. Uninjured control participants (n = 7) had two myelin water imaging sessions within the same day. Changes in myelin water fraction (MWF), a histopathologically-validated myelin biomarker, were analyzed in a priori motor learning and non-motor learning brain regions and the cervical spinal cord using statistical approaches appropriate for small sample sizes. PDGFRα-CreERT2:mT/mG mice, that express green fluorescent protein on oligodendrocyte precursor cells and subsequent newly-differentiated oligodendrocytes upon tamoxifen-induced recombination, were either naive (n = 6) or received a moderate (75 kilodyne), contusive SCI at T9 and were randomized to downhill training (n = 6) or unexercised groups (n = 6). We initiated recombination 29 days post-injury, seven days prior to downhill training. Mice underwent two weeks of daily downhill training on the same 10% decline grade used in humans. Between-group comparison of functional (motor and sensory) and histological (oligodendrogenesis, oligodendroglial/axon interaction, paranodal structure) outcomes occurred post-training. In humans with SCI, downhill training increased MWF in brain motor learning regions (postcentral, precuneus) and mixed motor and sensory tracts of the ventral cervical spinal cord compared to control participants (P < 0.05). In mice with thoracic SCI, downhill training induced oligodendrogenesis in cervical dorsal and lateral white matter, increased axon-oligodendroglial interactions, and normalized paranodal structure in dorsal column sensory tracts (P < 0.05). Downhill training improved sensorimotor recovery in mice by normalizing hip and knee motor control and reducing hyperalgesia, both of which were associated with new oligodendrocytes in the cervical dorsal columns (P < 0.05). Our findings indicate that eccentric-focused, downhill rehabilitation promotes white matter plasticity and improved function in chronic SCI, likely via oligodendrogenesis in nervous system regions activated by the training paradigm. Together, these data reveal an exciting role for eccentric training in white matter plasticity and sensorimotor recovery after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy D Faw
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Bimal Lakhani
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Petra Schmalbrock
- Department of Radiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Michael V Knopp
- Department of Radiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Keith R Lohse
- Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
| | - John L K Kramer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Hanwen Liu
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Huyen T Nguyen
- Department of Radiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Eileen G Phillips
- Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Anna Bratasz
- Small Animal Imaging Shared Resources, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Lesley C Fisher
- Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Rochelle J Deibert
- Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Lara A Boyd
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Dana M McTigue
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - D Michele Basso
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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Del Pilar Pérez-Trujillo M, González-Platas M, Pérez-Martín MY, Revert-Gironés MC, González-Platas J. Dry needling for treating spasticity in multiple sclerosis. J Phys Ther Sci 2021; 33:505-510. [PMID: 34219954 PMCID: PMC8245259 DOI: 10.1589/jpts.33.505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
[Purpose] The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of dry needling (DN) in the treatment of spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). [Participants and Methods] Twelve participants (3 males and 9 females) with MS, with no evidence of a relapse in the last four weeks and with an EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) greater than 2.5 points (related with pyramidal score) were recruited. DN was performed in lower limbs for 12 consecutive sessions and evaluated with: PSFS (Penn Spasm Frequency Scale), VAS (visual analogical scale) of spasticity, EDSS (Pyramidal item), Time up and go (TUG), 25 foot, 9hold peg test (9HPT) and the improvement or not in the quality of life (MSQol54) was verified before and after treatment. A follow up visit was carried out to assess improvement. [Results] All patients improved in: VAS scale, EDSS score, quality of life, 9HPT, 25 foot test and TUG and 90% of them showed a decrease in the number of spasms/hour (PSFS). [Conclusion] Dry needling produces positive changes in spasticity in patients with MS and their quality of life, as well as walking capacity and manual dexterity. Therefore, DN should be considered in the treatment of spasticity in patients with MS.
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Andreu-Caravaca L, Chung LH, Ramos-Campo DJ, Marín-Cascales E, Encarnación-Martínez A, Rubio-Arias JÁ. Neuromuscular and Mobility Responses to a Vibration Session in Hypoxia in Multiple Sclerosis. Int J Sports Med 2020; 42:307-313. [PMID: 33075829 DOI: 10.1055/a-1273-8304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of vibration training (WBVT) under hypoxic and normoxic conditions on the voluntary rate of force development (RFD), balance and muscle oxygen saturation (SMO2) in persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). 10 participants completed the study (30% males, 44.4±7.7 years, 164.3±8.9 cm, 65.2±11.1 kg, 2.5±1.3 Expanded Disability Status Scale, 24.1±4.0 kg.m-2 BMI). Maximal force, RFD during isometric knee extension, static balance with eyes open and closed and sit-to-stand test were evaluated before and immediately after one session of WBVT (12 60-s bout of vibration; frequency 35 Hz; amplitude 4 mm; 1-min rest intervals) under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. In addition, SMO2 of the gastrocnemius lateralis was assessed during each condition. No changes were found in force, static balance and sit-to-stand test. Time-to-peak RFD increased in the left leg (p=0.02) and tended to increase in the right leg (p=0.06) after the hypoxic session. SMO2 resulted in significant increases from the initial to final intervals of the WBVT under both hypoxic and normoxic conditions (p<0.05). Increases in SMO2 during WBVT demonstrates muscle work that may contribute to the observed muscle adaptations in long-term WBVT programs without inducing decreases in neuromuscular activation, physical function and balance within a session.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Andreu-Caravaca
- International Chair of Sports Medicine, Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, Murcia.,Faculty of Sport, Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, Murcia
| | - Linda H Chung
- UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport, Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, Murcia
| | | | - Elena Marín-Cascales
- UCAM Research Center for High Performance Sport, Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, Murcia
| | - Alberto Encarnación-Martínez
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, Research Group in Sport Biomechanics (GIBD), University of Valencia, Valencia
| | - Jacobo Á Rubio-Arias
- LFE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Madrid
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