Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Improves Quality of Life for People With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 7512515369p1-7512515369p1
Author(s):  
Rebecca Martin
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Spinal Cord Stimulation ◽  
Neural Circuits ◽  
Bladder Function ◽  
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation

Abstract Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) is a novel mechanism to excite spinal neural circuits and unmask latent voluntary function. This research presentation will discuss outcomes associated with an 8-week trial combining TSCS with therapy. Participants improved in walking function, bowel and bladder function, and sensation with commensurate improvements in quality of life. TSCS is a feasible, meaningful intervention for patients with incomplete spinal cord injury. Primary Author and Speaker: Rebecca Martin

scholarly journals Modification of spasticity by transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ursula S. Hofstoetter ◽  
William B. McKay ◽  
Keith E. Tansey ◽  
Winfried Mayr ◽  
Helmut Kern ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Spinal Cord Stimulation ◽  
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation

scholarly journals Feasibility and utility of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation combined with walking-based therapy for people with motor incomplete spinal cord injury

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liza V. McHugh ◽  
Ashley A. Miller ◽  
Kristan A. Leech ◽  
Cynthia Salorio ◽  
Rebecca H. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Spinal Cord Stimulation ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Minimal Detectable Change ◽  
Walk Test ◽  
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation

Abstract Study design Prospective case series. Objectives To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of combining transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) with walking-based physical therapy. Setting Hospital-based outpatient center in Maryland, United States. Methods Ten individuals with chronic (>1 year) motor incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) completed 23 sessions of 2-h therapy over 8 weeks. TSCS was delivered for the first 30 min of each session using a clinically available device with adjustable current. To assess feasibility of the intervention, we tracked pain, adverse events, and participant retention. Preliminary efficacy was assessed by evaluating changes in walking speed, endurance, and quality following the intervention with select functional outcome measures (10-m walk test (10MWT), 6-min walk test (6MWT), timed up and go, and walking index for spinal cord injury II). Results We found that the combined intervention was feasible in an outpatient clinical setting. Participants tolerated the TSCS well, with no reports of significant adverse events or other issues (e.g., skin irritation or pain that disrupted training). None of the participants elected to discontinue the study. Participants also showed significant improvements in each measure of walking function following the intervention. Changes in walking speed, as measured by the 10MWT (0.56 ± 0.29 m/s to 0.72 ± 0.36 m/s), exceeded the minimal clinically important difference for individuals with iSCI. Changes in walking quality and endurance, as measured by the 6MWT (149.88 ± 99.87 m to 194.53 ± 106.56 m), exceeded the minimal detectable change for individuals with iSCI. Conclusions These results indicate that TSCS is clinically feasible and may be useful as an adjunct to walking-based therapy for adults with iSCI.

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