Author/Editor     Maležič, M; Gregorič, M; Benko, H
Title     Stimulation of paraspinal muscles in patients with spastic tetraparesis
Type     članek
Source     In: 4th Vienna international workshop on functional electrostimulation: basics, technology, clinical application: proceedings. Baden/Vienna: University of Vienna, Department of biomedical engineering and physics,
Publication year     1992
Volume     str. 64-7
Language     eng
Abstract     Ambulatory spinal cord injury patients walk with associated irregular motor activity, spasticity and weakness. Their locomotor patterns can be externally modified by the afferent stimulation of cutaneous and spinal nerves or by the efferent activation of movements. Cutaneous electrical stimulation of the paraspinal muscles combines these approaches. Seven patients, 5 with cervical lesions (C3 to7), 1 with hereditary paraparesis and 1 after barotrauma were included in the study. Up to 50mA and 25Hz stimulation train of 0.5ms biphasic current pulses was applied to the paraspinal muscles in the lumbar and lower end of thoracic region during gait. Force shoes and 3D goniometric system were used for the assessment of forces, curves of their points of action under both feet and joint angles in all three planes together with time, length and velocity parameters. The gait was assessed without and with the stimulation. The forces and angles showed less expressed changes, while the stride time, length and velocity improved considerably by the stimulation. The improvement built up gradually during the trials and showed a prolonged effect. The results were confirmed by subjective opinion of the patients.
Descriptors     SPINAL CORD INJURIES
MUSCLE SPASTICITY
TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRIC NERVE STIMULATION
MUSCLES
GAIT