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Dolbow DR, Bersch I, Gorgey AS, Davis GM. The Clinical Management of Electrical Stimulation Therapies in the Rehabilitation of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2995. [PMID: 38792536 PMCID: PMC11122106 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13102995] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: People with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) often have trouble remaining active because of paralysis. In the past, exercise recommendations focused on the non-paralyzed muscles in the arms, which provides limited benefits. However, recent studies show that electrical stimulation can help engage the paralyzed extremities, expanding the available muscle mass for exercise. Methods: The authors provide an evidence-based approach using expertise from diverse fields, supplemented by evidence from key studies toward the management of electrical stimulation therapies in individuals with SCIs. Literature searches were performed separately using the PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar search engines. The keywords used for the searches included functional electrical stimulation cycling, hybrid cycling, neuromuscular electrical stimulation exercise, spinal cord injury, cardiovascular health, metabolic health, muscle strength, muscle mass, bone mass, upper limb treatment, diagnostic and prognostic use of functional electrical stimulation, tetraplegic hands, and hand deformities after SCI. The authors recently presented this information in a workshop at a major rehabilitation conference. Additional information beyond what was presented at the workshop was added for the writing of this paper. Results: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling can improve aerobic fitness and reduce the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The evidence indicates that while both FES leg cycling and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) resistance training can increase muscle strength and mass, NMES resistance training has been shown to be more effective for producing muscle hypertrophy in individual muscle groups. The response to the electrical stimulation of muscles can also help in the diagnosis and prognosis of hand dysfunction after tetraplegia. Conclusions: Electrical stimulation activities are safe and effective methods for exercise and testing for motor neuron lesions in individuals with SCIs and other paralytic or paretic conditions. They should be considered part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program in diagnosing, prognosing, and treating individuals with SCIs to improve function, physical activity, and overall health.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R. Dolbow
- Physical Therapy Program, College of Osteopathic Medicine, William Carey University, 710 William Carey Parkway, Hattiesburg, MS 39401, USA
| | - Ines Bersch
- International FES Centre®, Swiss Paraplegia Centre, CH-6207 Nottwil, Switzerland
| | - Ashraf S. Gorgey
- Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Center, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23249, USA;
| | - Glen M. Davis
- Discipline of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
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Gorgey AS, Goldsmith JA, Khalil RE, Liu XH, Pan J, Cardozo C, Adler RA. Predictors of muscle hypertrophy responsiveness to electrically evoked resistance training after spinal cord injury. Eur J Appl Physiol 2023; 123:479-493. [PMID: 36305973 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-022-05069-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to identify potential predictors of muscle hypertrophy responsiveness following neuromuscular electrical stimulation resistance training (NMES-RT) in persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Data for twenty individuals with motor complete SCI who completed twice weekly NMES-RT lasting 12-16 weeks as part of their participation in one of two separate clinical trials were pooled and retrospectively analyzed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) of the whole thigh and knee extensor muscle before and after NMES-RT. Muscle biopsies and fasting biomarkers were also measured. Following the completion of the respective NMES-RT trials, participants were classified into either high-responders (n = 8; muscle CSA > 20%) or low-responders (n = 12; muscle CSA < 20%) based on whole thigh muscle CSA hypertrophy. Whole thigh muscle and knee extensors CSAs were significantly greater (P < 0.0001) in high-responders (29 ± 7% and 47 ± 15%, respectively) compared to low-responders (12 ± 3% and 19 ± 6%, respectively). There were no differences in total caloric intake or macronutrient intake between groups. Extensor spasticity was lower in the high-responders compared to the low-responders as was the dosage of baclofen. Prior to the intervention, the high-responders had greater body mass compared to the low-responders with SCI (87.8 ± 13.7 vs. 70.4 ± 15.8 kg; P = 0.012), body mass index (BMI: 27.6 ± 2.7 vs. 22.9 ± 6.0 kg/m2; P = 0.04), as well as greater percentage in whole body and regional fat mass (P < 0.05). Furthermore, high-responders had a 69% greater increase (P = 0.086) in total Akt protein expression than low-responders. High-responders also exhibited reduced circulating IGF-1 with a concomitant increase in IGFBP-3. Exploratory analyses revealed upregulation of mRNAs for muscle hypertrophy markers [IRS-1, Akt, mTOR] and downregulation of protein degradation markers [myostatin, MurF-1, and PDK4] in the high-responders compared to low-responders. The findings indicate that body composition, spasticity, baclofen usage, and multiple signaling pathways (anabolic and catabolic) are involved in the differential muscle hypertrophy response to NMES-RT in persons with chronic SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf S Gorgey
- Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Service, Central Virginia VA Health Care System, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA.
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Jacob A Goldsmith
- Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Service, Central Virginia VA Health Care System, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Refka E Khalil
- Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Service, Central Virginia VA Health Care System, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Xin-Hua Liu
- National Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury and Medical and Surgical Service, James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jiangping Pan
- National Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury and Medical and Surgical Service, James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christopher Cardozo
- National Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury and Medical and Surgical Service, James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert A Adler
- Endocrinology Service, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA
- Endocrine Division, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
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Invasive and Non-Invasive Approaches of Electrical Stimulation to Improve Physical Functioning after Spinal Cord Injury. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10225356. [PMID: 34830637 PMCID: PMC8625266 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10225356] [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: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This review of literature provides the latest evidence involving invasive and non-invasive uses of electrical stimulation therapies that assist in restoring functional abilities and the enhancement of quality of life in those with spinal cord injuries. The review includes neuromuscular electrical stimulation and functional electrical stimulation activities that promote improved body composition changes and increased muscular strength, which have been shown to improve abilities in activities of daily living. Recommendations for optimizing electrical stimulation parameters are also reported. Electrical stimulation is also used to enhance the skills of reaching, grasping, standing, and walking, among other activities of daily living. Additionally, we report on the use of invasive and non-invasive neuromodulation techniques targeting improved mobility, including standing, postural control, and assisted walking. We attempt to summarize the effects of epidural stimulation on cardiovascular performance and provide a mechanistic explanation to the current research findings. Future trends such as the combination of epidural stimulation and exoskeletal-assisted walking are also discussed.
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