Skin and not dorsal root stimulation reduces hypertonus in thoracic motor complete spinal cord injury: a single case report
Brandon Lieu, Dirk G. Everaert, Chester Ho, Monica A. Gorassini
Abstract
We present proof of concept that surface stimulation of the lower back can reduce severe leg hypertonus in a participant with motor complete, thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) but only during the applied stimulation. We propose that activation of skin and muscle afferents from thoracolumbar transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) may recruit excitatory spinal interneurons with bilateral projections that in turn recruit recurrent inhibitory networks to provide on demand suppression of ongoing involuntary motoneuron activity.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineDorsumSpinal cord injurySpinal cordStimulationNeurosciencePhysical medicine and rehabilitationAnatomyPsychologySpinal Cord Injury ResearchTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation StudiesNerve Injury and Rehabilitation