Multisite Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation for Walking and Autonomic Recovery in Motor-Incomplete Tetraplegia: A Single-Subject Design.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study investigated the effect of cervical and lumbar transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) combined with intensive training to improve walking and autonomic function after chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods

Two 64-year-old men with chronic motor incomplete cervical SCI participated in this single-subject design study. They each underwent 2 months of intensive locomotor training and 2 months of multisite cervical and lumbosacral tSCS paired with intensive locomotor training.

Results

The improvement in 6-Minute Walk Test distance after 2 months of tSCS with intensive training was threefold greater than after locomotor training alone. Both participants improved balance ability measured by the Berg Balance Scale and increased their ability to

SUBMITTER: Samejima S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8788019 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature