Combined Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation and Task-Specific Rehabilitation Improves Trunk and Sitting Functions in People with Chronic Tetraplegia
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) and conventional task-specific rehabilitation (TSR) on trunk control and sitting stability in people with chronic tetraplegia secondary to a spinal cord injury (SCI). Five individuals with co...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Biomedicines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/1/34 |
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| author | Niraj Singh Tharu Monzurul Alam Yan To Ling Arnold YL Wong Yong-Ping Zheng |
| author_facet | Niraj Singh Tharu Monzurul Alam Yan To Ling Arnold YL Wong Yong-Ping Zheng |
| author_sort | Niraj Singh Tharu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The aim of this study was to examine the effects of transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) and conventional task-specific rehabilitation (TSR) on trunk control and sitting stability in people with chronic tetraplegia secondary to a spinal cord injury (SCI). Five individuals with complete cervical (C4–C7) cord injury participated in 24-week therapy that combined TSCS and TSR in the first 12 weeks, followed by TSR alone for another 12 weeks. The TSCS was delivered simultaneously at T11 and L1 spinal levels, at a frequency ranging from 20–30 Hz with 0.1–1.0 ms. pulse width biphasically. Although the neurological prognosis did not manifest after either treatment, the results show that there were significant increases in forward reach distance (10.3 ± 4.5 cm), right lateral reach distance (3.7 ± 1.8 cm), and left lateral reach distance (3.0 ± 0.9 cm) after the combinational treatment (TSCS+TSR). The stimulation also significantly improved the participants’ trunk control and function in sitting. Additionally, the trunk range of motion and the electromyographic response of the trunk muscles were significantly elevated after TSCS+TSR. The TSCS+TSR intervention improved independent trunk control with significantly increased static and dynamic sitting balance, which were maintained throughout the TSR period and the follow-up period, indicating long-term sustainable recovery. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:30:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d88e740387a44749a6624b3a423f44db |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9059 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:30:38Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomedicines |
| spelling | doaj.art-d88e740387a44749a6624b3a423f44db2023-11-30T21:18:28ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592022-12-011113410.3390/biomedicines11010034Combined Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation and Task-Specific Rehabilitation Improves Trunk and Sitting Functions in People with Chronic TetraplegiaNiraj Singh Tharu0Monzurul Alam1Yan To Ling2Arnold YL Wong3Yong-Ping Zheng4Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, ChinaThe aim of this study was to examine the effects of transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) and conventional task-specific rehabilitation (TSR) on trunk control and sitting stability in people with chronic tetraplegia secondary to a spinal cord injury (SCI). Five individuals with complete cervical (C4–C7) cord injury participated in 24-week therapy that combined TSCS and TSR in the first 12 weeks, followed by TSR alone for another 12 weeks. The TSCS was delivered simultaneously at T11 and L1 spinal levels, at a frequency ranging from 20–30 Hz with 0.1–1.0 ms. pulse width biphasically. Although the neurological prognosis did not manifest after either treatment, the results show that there were significant increases in forward reach distance (10.3 ± 4.5 cm), right lateral reach distance (3.7 ± 1.8 cm), and left lateral reach distance (3.0 ± 0.9 cm) after the combinational treatment (TSCS+TSR). The stimulation also significantly improved the participants’ trunk control and function in sitting. Additionally, the trunk range of motion and the electromyographic response of the trunk muscles were significantly elevated after TSCS+TSR. The TSCS+TSR intervention improved independent trunk control with significantly increased static and dynamic sitting balance, which were maintained throughout the TSR period and the follow-up period, indicating long-term sustainable recovery.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/1/34transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulationtrunk controlsitting balancetetraplegiaspinal cord injury |
| spellingShingle | Niraj Singh Tharu Monzurul Alam Yan To Ling Arnold YL Wong Yong-Ping Zheng Combined Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation and Task-Specific Rehabilitation Improves Trunk and Sitting Functions in People with Chronic Tetraplegia Biomedicines transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation trunk control sitting balance tetraplegia spinal cord injury |
| title | Combined Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation and Task-Specific Rehabilitation Improves Trunk and Sitting Functions in People with Chronic Tetraplegia |
| title_full | Combined Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation and Task-Specific Rehabilitation Improves Trunk and Sitting Functions in People with Chronic Tetraplegia |
| title_fullStr | Combined Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation and Task-Specific Rehabilitation Improves Trunk and Sitting Functions in People with Chronic Tetraplegia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Combined Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation and Task-Specific Rehabilitation Improves Trunk and Sitting Functions in People with Chronic Tetraplegia |
| title_short | Combined Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation and Task-Specific Rehabilitation Improves Trunk and Sitting Functions in People with Chronic Tetraplegia |
| title_sort | combined transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation and task specific rehabilitation improves trunk and sitting functions in people with chronic tetraplegia |
| topic | transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation trunk control sitting balance tetraplegia spinal cord injury |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/1/34 |
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