1
|
Steele AG, Vette AH, Martin C, Masani K, Sayenko DG. Synergistic effects of transcutaneous spinal stimulation and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on lower limb force production: Time to deliver. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296613. [PMID: 39213293 PMCID: PMC11364223 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can facilitate self-assisted standing in individuals with paralysis. However, individual variability in responses to each modality may limit their effectiveness in generating the necessary leg extension force for full body weight standing. To address this challenge, we proposed combining TSS and NMES to enhance leg extensor muscle activation, with optimizing timing adjustment to maximize the interaction between the two modalities. METHODS To assess the effects of TSS and NMES on knee extension and plantarflexion force, ten neurologically intact participants underwent three conditions: (1) TSS control, (2) NMES control, and (3) TSS + NMES. TSS was delivered between the T10 and L2 vertebrae, while NMES was delivered to the skin over the right knee extensors and plantarflexors. TSS and NMES were administered using a 15 Hz train of three 0.5 ms biphasic pulses. During the TSS + NMES condition, the timing between modalities was adjusted in increments of ¼ the interval within a 15 Hz frequency, i.e., 66, 49.5, 33, 16.5, and 1 ms. RESULTS NMES combined with TSS, produced synergistic effects even on non-targeted muscle groups, thereby promoting leg extension across multiple joints in the kinematic chain. The sequence of NMES or TSS trains relative to each other did not significantly impact motor output. Notably, a delay of 16.5 to 49.5 ms between interleaved TSS and NMES pulses, each delivered at 15 Hz, results in more robust and synergistic responses in knee extensors and plantarflexors. CONCLUSIONS By adjusting the timing between TSS and NMES, we can optimize the combined use of these modalities for functional restoration. Our findings highlight the potential of integrated TSS and NMES protocols to enhance motor function, suggesting promising avenues for therapeutic applications, particularly in the rehabilitation of individuals with SCI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander G. Steele
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Albert H. Vette
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Catherine Martin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kei Masani
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- KITE Research Institute–University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dimitry G. Sayenko
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
McIntosh JR, Joiner EF, Goldberg JL, Greenwald P, Dionne AC, Murray LM, Thuet E, Modik O, Shelkov E, Lombardi JM, Sardar ZM, Lehman RA, Chan AK, Riew KD, Harel NY, Virk MS, Mandigo C, Carmel JB. Timing-dependent synergies between motor cortex and posterior spinal stimulation in humans. J Physiol 2024; 602:2961-2983. [PMID: 38758005 PMCID: PMC11178459 DOI: 10.1113/jp286183] [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: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Volitional movement requires descending input from the motor cortex and sensory feedback through the spinal cord. We previously developed a paired brain and spinal electrical stimulation approach in rats that relies on convergence of the descending motor and spinal sensory stimuli in the cervical cord. This approach strengthened sensorimotor circuits and improved volitional movement through associative plasticity. In humans, it is not known whether posterior epidural spinal cord stimulation targeted at the sensorimotor interface or anterior epidural spinal cord stimulation targeted within the motor system is effective at facilitating brain evoked responses. In 59 individuals undergoing elective cervical spine decompression surgery, the motor cortex was stimulated with scalp electrodes and the spinal cord was stimulated with epidural electrodes, with muscle responses being recorded in arm and leg muscles. Spinal electrodes were placed either posteriorly or anteriorly, and the interval between cortex and spinal cord stimulation was varied. Pairing stimulation between the motor cortex and spinal sensory (posterior) but not spinal motor (anterior) stimulation produced motor evoked potentials that were over five times larger than brain stimulation alone. This strong augmentation occurred only when descending motor and spinal afferent stimuli were timed to converge in the spinal cord. Paired stimulation also increased the selectivity of muscle responses relative to unpaired brain or spinal cord stimulation. Finally, clinical signs suggest that facilitation was observed in both injured and uninjured segments of the spinal cord. The large effect size of this paired stimulation makes it a promising candidate for therapeutic neuromodulation. KEY POINTS: Pairs of stimuli designed to alter nervous system function typically target the motor system, or one targets the sensory system and the other targets the motor system for convergence in cortex. In humans undergoing clinically indicated surgery, we tested paired brain and spinal cord stimulation that we developed in rats aiming to target sensorimotor convergence in the cervical cord. Arm and hand muscle responses to paired sensorimotor stimulation were more than five times larger than brain or spinal cord stimulation alone when applied to the posterior but not anterior spinal cord. Arm and hand muscle responses to paired stimulation were more selective for targeted muscles than the brain- or spinal-only conditions, especially at latencies that produced the strongest effects of paired stimulation. Measures of clinical evidence of compression were only weakly related to the paired stimulation effect, suggesting that it could be applied as therapy in people affected by disorders of the central nervous system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James R McIntosh
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine - New York Presbyterian, Och Spine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Evan F Joiner
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jacob L Goldberg
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine - New York Presbyterian, Och Spine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Phoebe Greenwald
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexandra C Dionne
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lynda M Murray
- Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- James J. Peters VA Med. Ctr., Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Earl Thuet
- New York Presbyterian, The Och Spine Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Oleg Modik
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine - New York Presbyterian, Och Spine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Evgeny Shelkov
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine - New York Presbyterian, Och Spine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph M Lombardi
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- New York Presbyterian, The Och Spine Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zeeshan M Sardar
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- New York Presbyterian, The Och Spine Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronald A Lehman
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- New York Presbyterian, The Och Spine Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew K Chan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- New York Presbyterian, The Och Spine Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - K Daniel Riew
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine - New York Presbyterian, Och Spine, New York, NY, USA
- New York Presbyterian, The Och Spine Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Noam Y Harel
- Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- James J. Peters VA Med. Ctr., Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael S Virk
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine - New York Presbyterian, Och Spine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christopher Mandigo
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- New York Presbyterian, The Och Spine Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jason B Carmel
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine - New York Presbyterian, Och Spine, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tran K, Steele A, Crossnoe R, Martin C, Sayenko DG. Multi-site lumbar transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation: When less is more. Neurosci Lett 2024; 820:137579. [PMID: 38096973 PMCID: PMC10872491 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137579] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) has become a valuable tool for facilitating rehabilitation in individuals with neurological deficits. A significant constraint arises from the need for precise knowledge of stimulation locations to effectively apply TSS for targeted functional enhancement. METHODS In this study, we investigate whether single-site or simultaneous multi-site stimulation over the lumbar spinal cord is advantageous for recruitment of specific motor pools projecting to lower limb muscles and generates higher leg extensor forces in neurologically intact individuals. Tests were performed in a supine position. TSS was delivered at T10-T11, T11-T12, T12-L1, and L1-L2 intervertebral spaces individually, then through all four locations simultaneously. The peak-to-peak amplitude of spinally evoked motor potentials and the forces generated by lower limb muscles were compared at the common motor threshold intensity level across all stimulation conditions. RESULTS Recruitment of motor pools projecting to proximal and distal lower limb muscles followed their topographical rostro-caudal arrangement along the lumbosacral enlargement. Single-site stimulation, apart from the T10-T11 location, resulted in larger responses in both proximal and distal muscles while also generating higher knee-extension and plantarflexion forces when compared to multi-site stimulation. CONCLUSIONS Both motor response and force generation were reduced when using multi-site TSS when compared to single-site stimulation. This demonstrates that the segmental effects of TSS are important to consider when performing multi-site TSS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khue Tran
- School of Engineering Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexander Steele
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Remington Crossnoe
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Catherine Martin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dimitry G Sayenko
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pedrocchiguest A, Guanziroli E. Guest Editorial Special Section on Functional Recovery and Brain Plasticity. IEEE OPEN JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 4:275-277. [PMID: 38196974 PMCID: PMC10776091 DOI: 10.1109/ojemb.2023.3339954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of rehabilitation after neurological damage is functional recovery, which includes motor, sensory, and cognitive aspects, which are closely interrelated [22].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Pedrocchiguest
- NEARLAB, Neuroengineering and Medical Robotics Laboratory, AND WE-COBOT, Wearable Collaborative Laboratory, Department of Electronics, Information and BioengineeringPolitecnico di MilanoMilanItaly
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Steele AG, Vette AH, Martin C, Masani K, Sayenko DG. Combining transcutaneous spinal stimulation and functional electrical stimulation increases force generated by lower limbs: When more is more. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.22.573119. [PMID: 38187778 PMCID: PMC10769419 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.22.573119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Background Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation (TSS) has been shown to promote activation of the lower limb and trunk muscles and is being actively explored for improving the motor outcomes of people with neurological conditions. However, individual responses to TSS vary, and often the muscle responses are insufficient to produce enough force for self-supported standing. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) can activate individual muscles and assist in closing this functional gap, but it introduces questions regarding timing between modalities. Methods To assess the effects of TSS and FES on force generation, ten neurologically intact participants underwent (1) TSS only, (2) FES only, and (3) TSS + FES. TSS was delivered using four electrodes placed at T10-T11 through the L1-L2 intervertebral spaces simultaneously, while FES was delivered to the skin over the right knee extensors and plantarflexors. For all conditions, TSS and FES were delivered using three 0.5 ms biphasic square-wave pulses at 15 Hz. During the TSS + FES condition, timing between the two modalities was adjusted in increments of ¼ time between pulses (16.5 ms). Results When TSS preceded FES, a larger force production was observed. We also determined several changes in muscle activation amplitude at different relative stimulus intervals, which help characterize our finding and indicate the facilitating and inhibitory effects of the modalities. Conclusions Utilizing a delay ranging from 15 to 30 ms between stimuli resulted in higher mean force generation in both the knee and ankle joints, regardless of the selected FES location (Average; knee: 112.0%, ankle: 103.1%).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander G Steele
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6550 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas, 77030, United States of America
| | - Albert H Vette
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering, 9211-116 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1H9, Canada
- Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Alberta Health Services, 10230 111 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5G 0B7, Canada
| | - Catherine Martin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6550 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas, 77030, United States of America
| | - Kei Masani
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
- KITE Research Institute - University Health Network, Toronto, ON M4G 3V9, Canada
| | - Dimitry G Sayenko
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6550 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas, 77030, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Oh J, Scheffler MS, Martin CA, Dinh J, Sheynin J, Steele AG, Sayenko DG. Characterizing neurological status in individuals with tetraplegia using transcutaneous spinal stimulation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21522. [PMID: 38057398 PMCID: PMC10700352 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48811-0] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) is emerging as a valuable tool for electrophysiological and clinical assessment. This study had the objective of examining the recruitment patterns of upper limb (UL) motor pools through the delivery of TSS above and below a spinal lesion. It also aimed to explore the connection between the recruitment pattern of UL motor pools and the neurological and functional status following spinal cord injury (SCI). In eight participants with tetraplegia due to cervical SCI, TSS was delivered to the cervical spinal cord between the spinous processes of C3-C4 and C7-T1 vertebrae, and spinally evoked motor potentials in UL muscles were characterized. We found that responses observed in UL muscles innervated by motor pools below the level of injury demonstrated relatively reduced sensitivity to TSS compared to those above the lesion, were asymmetrical in the majority of muscles, and were dependent on the level, extent, and side of SCI. Overall, our findings indicate that electrophysiological data acquired through TSS can offer insights into the extent of UL functional asymmetry, disruptions in neural pathways, and changes in motor control following SCI. This study suggests that such electrophysiological data can supplement clinical and functional assessment and provide further insight regarding residual motor function in individuals with SCI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeonghoon Oh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Michelle S Scheffler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Catherine A Martin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jenny Dinh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jony Sheynin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexander G Steele
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Dimitry G Sayenko
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Oh J, Scheffler MS, Martin CA, Dinh J, Sheynin J, Steele AG, Sayenko DG. Transcutaneous spinal stimulation provides characterization of neurological status in individuals with tetraplegia. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3513515. [PMID: 37986790 PMCID: PMC10659561 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3513515/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) is emerging as a valuable tool for electrophysiological and clinical assessment. This study had the objective of examining the recruitment patterns of upper limb (UL) motor pools through the delivery of TSS above and below a spinal lesion. It also aimed to explore the connection between the recruitment pattern of UL motor pools and the neurological and functional status following spinal cord injury (SCI). In eight participants with tetraplegia due to cervical SCI, TSS was delivered to the cervical spinal cord between the spinous processes of C3-C4 and C7-T1 vertebrae, and spinally evoked motor potentials in UL muscles were characterized. We found that responses observed in UL muscles innervated by motor pools below the level of injury demonstrated relatively reduced sensitivity to TSS compared to those above the lesion, were asymmetrical in the majority of muscles, and were dependent on the level, extent, and side of SCI. Overall, our findings indicate that electrophysiological data acquired through TSS can offer insights into the extent of UL functional asymmetry, disruptions in neural pathways, and changes in motor control following SCI. This study suggests that such electrophysiological data can supplement clinical and functional assessment and provide further insight regarding residual motor function in individuals with SCI.
Collapse
|