Targeted Selection of Stimulation Parameters for Restoration of Motor and Autonomic Function in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury
Claudia Angeli, Enrico Rejc, Maxwell Boakye, April N. Herrity, Samineh Mesbah, Charles H. Hubscher, Gail Forrest, Susan J. Harkema
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: This is a report of methods and tools for selection of task and individual configurations targeted for voluntary movement, standing, stepping, blood pressure stabilization, and facilitation of bladder storage and emptying using tonic-interleaved excitation of the lumbosacral spinal cord. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to present strategies used for selection of stimulation parameters for various motor and autonomic functions. CONCLUSIONS: Tonic-interleaved functionally focused neuromodulation targets a myriad of consequences from spinal cord injury with surgical implantation of the epidural electrode at a single location. This approach indicates the sophistication of the human spinal cord circuitry and its important role in the regulation of motor and autonomic functions in humans.