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Zhang J, Wang M, Alam M, Zheng YP, Ye F, Hu X. Effects of non-invasive cervical spinal cord neuromodulation by trans-spinal electrical stimulation on cortico-muscular descending patterns in upper extremity of chronic stroke. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1372158. [PMID: 38576448 PMCID: PMC10991759 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1372158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Trans-spinal electrical stimulation (tsES) to the intact spinal cord poststroke may modulate the cortico-muscular control in stroke survivors with diverse lesions in the brain. This work aimed to investigate the immediate effects of tsES on the cortico-muscular descending patterns during voluntary upper extremity (UE) muscle contractions by analyzing cortico-muscular coherence (CMCoh) and electromyography (EMG) in people with chronic stroke. Methods: Twelve chronic stroke participants were recruited to perform wrist-hand extension and flexion tasks at submaximal levels of voluntary contraction for the corresponding agonist flexors and extensors. During the tasks, the tsES was delivered to the cervical spinal cord with rectangular biphasic pulses. Electroencephalography (EEG) data were collected from the sensorimotor cortex, and the EMG data were recorded from both distal and proximal UE muscles. The CMCoh, laterality index (LI) of the peak CMCoh, and EMG activation level parameters under both non-tsES and tsES conditions were compared to evaluate the immediate effects of tsES on the cortico-muscular descending pathway. Results: The CMCoh and LI of peak CMCoh in the agonist distal muscles showed significant increases (p < 0.05) during the wrist-hand extension and flexion tasks with the application of tsES. The EMG activation levels of the antagonist distal muscle during wrist-hand extension were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with tsES. Additionally, the proximal UE muscles exhibited significant decreases (p < 0.05) in peak CMCoh and EMG activation levels by applying tsES. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in LI of peak CMCoh of proximal UE muscles during tsES. Conclusion: The cervical spinal cord neuromodulation via tsES enhanced the residual descending excitatory control, activated the local inhibitory circuits within the spinal cord, and reduced the cortical and proximal muscular compensatory effects. These results suggested the potential of tsES as a supplementary input for improving UE motor functions in stroke rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, China
| | - Maner Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, China
| | - Monzurul Alam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, China
| | - Yong-Ping Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, China
| | - Fuqiang Ye
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, China
| | - Xiaoling Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, China
- Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA), Hong Kong SAR, China
- Research Centre of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RC-DSAI), Hong Kong SAR, China
- Joint Research Centre for Biosensing and Precision Theranostics, Hong Kong SAR, China
- University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Couto AGB, Vaz MAP, Pinho L, Félix J, Moreira J, Pinho F, Mesquita IA, Mesquita Montes A, Crasto C, Sousa ASP. Interlimb Coordination during Double Support Phase of Gait in People with and without Stroke. J Mot Behav 2023; 56:195-210. [PMID: 37990958 DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2023.2282088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to identify differences between participants with and without stroke regarding the ipsilesional and contralesional lower limbs kinematics, kinetics, muscle activity and their variability during double support phase of gait. Eleven post-stroke and thirteen healthy participants performed 10 gait trials at a self-selected speed while being monitored by an optoelectronic motion capture system, two force plates and an electromyographic system. The following outcomes were evaluated during the double support: the time and the joint position; the external mechanical work on the centre of mass; and the relative electromyographic activity. Both, contralesional/ipsilesional and dominant/non-dominant of participants with and without stroke, respectively, were evaluated during double support phase of gait in trailing or leading positions. The average value of each parameter and the coefficient of variation of the 10 trials were analysed. Post-stroke participants present bilateral decreased mechanical work on the centre of mass and increased variability, decreased contralesional knee and ankle flexion in trailing position, increased ipsilesional knee flexion in leading position and increased variability. Increased relative muscle activity was observed in post-stroke participants with decreased variability. Mechanical work on the centre of mass seems to be the most relevant parameter to identify interlimb coordination impairments in post-stroke subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana G B Couto
- Department of Physiotherapy and Research Center and Projects (NIP), Santa Maria Health School, Porto, Portugal
- Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), ESS, Polytechnic of Porto, rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mário A P Vaz
- Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Porto Biomechanics Laboratory (LABIOMEP), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Liliana Pinho
- Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), ESS, Polytechnic of Porto, rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- College of Health Sciences - Escola Superior de Saúde do Vale do Ave, Cooperative for Higher, Polytechnic and University Education, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal
- Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - José Félix
- Department of Physics and Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), ESS, Polytechnic of Porto, rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Juliana Moreira
- Department of Physiotherapy and Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), ESS, Polytechnic of Porto, rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisco Pinho
- College of Health Sciences - Escola Superior de Saúde do Vale do Ave and Health and Human Movement Unit (H2M), Cooperative for Higher, Polytechnic and University Education, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal
| | - Inês Albuquerque Mesquita
- Research Center and Projects (NIP), Santa Maria Health School, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Functional Sciences and Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), ESS, Polytechnic of Porto, rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - António Mesquita Montes
- Department of Physiotherapy and Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), ESS, Polytechnic of Porto, rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Research Center and Projects (NIP), Santa Maria Health School, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carlos Crasto
- Department of Physiotherapy and Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), ESS, Polytechnic of Porto, rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Research Center and Projects (NIP), Santa Maria Health School, Porto, Portugal
| | - Andreia S P Sousa
- Department of Physiotherapy and Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), ESS, Polytechnic of Porto, rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
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Mahmoud W, Hultborn H, Zuluaga J, Zrenner C, Zrenner B, Ziemann U, Ramos-Murguialday A. Testing spasticity mechanisms in chronic stroke before and after intervention with contralesional motor cortex 1 Hz rTMS and physiotherapy. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2023; 20:150. [PMID: 37941036 PMCID: PMC10631065 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-023-01275-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies showed that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) reduces spasticity after stroke. However, clinical assessments like the modified Ashworth scale, cannot discriminate stretch reflex-mediated stiffness (spasticity) from passive stiffness components of resistance to muscle stretch. The mechanisms through which rTMS might influence spasticity are also not understood. METHODS We measured the effects of contralesional motor cortex 1 Hz rTMS (1200 pulses + 50 min physiotherapy: 3×/week, for 4-6 weeks) on spasticity of the wrist flexor muscles in 54 chronic stroke patients using a hand-held dynamometer for objective quantification of the stretch reflex response. In addition, we measured the excitability of three spinal mechanisms thought to be related to post-stroke spasticity: post-activation depression, presynaptic inhibition and reciprocal inhibition before and after the intervention. Effects on motor impairment and function were also assessed using standardized stroke-specific clinical scales. RESULTS The stretch reflex-mediated torque in the wrist flexors was significantly reduced after the intervention, while no change was detected in the passive stiffness. Additionally, there was a significant improvement in the clinical tests of motor impairment and function. There were no significant changes in the excitability of any of the measured spinal mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that contralesional motor cortex 1 Hz rTMS and physiotherapy can reduce the stretch reflex-mediated component of resistance to muscle stretch without affecting passive stiffness in chronic stroke. The specific physiological mechanisms driving this spasticity reduction remain unresolved, as no changes were observed in the excitability of the investigated spinal mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wala Mahmoud
- Institute for Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hans Hultborn
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jagoba Zuluaga
- Institute for Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Zrenner
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Brigitte Zrenner
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ulf Ziemann
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Ander Ramos-Murguialday
- Institute for Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology & Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Tecnalia, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, San Sebastián, Spain
- Athenea Neuroclinics, San Sebastián, Spain
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Hassan AB, Salihu AT, Masta MA, Gunn H, Marsden J, Abdullahi A, Ahmad RY, Danazumi MS. Effect of transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation on spasticity in upper motor neuron conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Spinal Cord 2023; 61:587-599. [PMID: 37640926 DOI: 10.1038/s41393-023-00928-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of non-invasive transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) on spasticity, activity limitations and participation restrictions in various upper motor neuron diseases. METHODS Six databases including CINAHL plus, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Web of Science were searched for the relevant records from January 2008 to December 2022. Two reviewers independently selected and extracted data on spasticity, activity limitations and participation restrictions. The risk of bias was evaluated using the PEDro scale while the GRADE approach established the certainty of the evidence. RESULTS Eleven studies were identified of which 5 (45.5%) were rated as having a low risk of bias and 8 (72.7%) were meta-analyzed. The meta-analyses did not show any significant differences between cathodal (SMD = -0.67, 95% CI = -1.50 to 0.15, P = 0.11, I2 = 75%, 6 RCTs) or anodal (SMD = 0.11, 95% CI = -0.43 to -0.64, p = 0.69, I2 = 0%, 2 RCTs) and sham tsDCS for spasticity. There was also no significant difference between active and sham tsDCS for activity limitations (SMD = -0.42, 95% CI = -0.04 to 0.21, p = 0.2, I2 = 0%, 2 RCTs) and participation restrictions (MD = -8.10, 95% CI = -18.02 to 1.82, p = 0.11, 1 RCT). CONCLUSIONS The meta-analysis of the available evidence provides an uncertain estimate of the effect of cathodal tsDCS on spasticity, activity limitation and participation restriction. It might be very helpful, or it may make no difference at all. However, considering the level of the evidence and the limitation in the quality of the majority of the included studies, further well-designed research may likely change the estimate of effect. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42021245601.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auwal B Hassan
- Department of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy), Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - Abubakar T Salihu
- Department of Physiotherapy, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mamman A Masta
- Department of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy), Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - Hilary Gunn
- Peninsula Allied Health Centre, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Jonathan Marsden
- Peninsula Allied Health Centre, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Auwal Abdullahi
- Department of Physiotherapy, Bayero University Kano, Kano, Nigeria
| | - Rufa'i Y Ahmad
- Department of Physiotherapy, Bayero University Kano, Kano, Nigeria
| | - Musa S Danazumi
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, College of Sciences, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3085, Australia.
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Hope JM, Field-Fote EC. Assessment of Dorsiflexion Ability across Tasks in Persons with Subacute SCI after Combined Locomotor Training and Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10050528. [PMID: 37237598 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10050528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In people with spinal cord injury (SCI), transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) has an immediate effect on the ability to dorsiflex the ankle, but persistent effects are not known. Furthermore, TSS has been associated with improved walking, increased volitional muscle activation, and decreased spasticity when combined with locomotor training (LT). In this study, the persistent impact of combined LT and TSS on dorsiflexion during the swing phase of walking and a volitional task in participants with SCI is determined. Ten participants with subacute motor-incomplete SCI received 2 weeks of LT alone (wash-in phase), followed by 2 weeks of either LT + TSS (TSS at 50 Hz) or LT + TSSSham (intervention phase). There was no persistent effect of TSS on dorsiflexion during walking and inconsistent effects on the volitional task. There was a strong positive correlation between the dorsiflexor ability for both tasks. There was a moderate effect of 4 weeks of LT on increased dorsiflexion during the task (d = 0.33) and walking (d = 0.34) and a small effect on spasticity (d = -0.2). Combined LT + TSS did not show persistent effects on dorsiflexion ability in people with SCI. Four weeks of locomotor training was associated with increased dorsiflexion across tasks. Improvements in walking observed with TSS may be due to factors other than improved ankle dorsiflexion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine M Hope
- Hulse Spinal Cord Injury Research Laboratory, Crawford Research Institute, Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Edelle C Field-Fote
- Hulse Spinal Cord Injury Research Laboratory, Crawford Research Institute, Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
- Division of Physical Therapy, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Program in Applied Physiology, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA
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Caron G, Bilchak J, Marie-Pascale Côté. Bumetanide increases postsynaptic inhibition after chronic SCI and decreases presynaptic inhibition with step-training. J Physiol 2023; 601:1425-1447. [PMID: 36847245 PMCID: PMC10106440 DOI: 10.1113/jp283753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Current anti-spastic medication significantly compromises motor recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI), indicating a critical need for alternative interventions. Because a shift in chloride homeostasis decreases spinal inhibition and contributes to hyperreflexia after SCI, we investigated the effect of bumetanide, an FDA-approved sodium-potassium-chloride intruder (NKCC1) antagonist, on presynaptic and postsynaptic inhibition. We compared its effect with step-training as it is known to improve spinal inhibition by restoring chloride homeostasis. In SCI rats, a prolonged bumetanide treatment increased postynaptic inhibition but not presynaptic inhibition of the plantar H-reflex evoked by posterior biceps and semitendinosus (PBSt) group I afferents. By using in vivo intracellular recordings of motoneurons, we further show that a prolonged bumetanide increased postsynaptic inhibition by hyperpolarizing the reversal potential for inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) after SCI. However, in step-trained SCI rats an acute delivery of bumetanide decreased presynaptic inhibition of the H-reflex, but not postsynaptic inhibition. These results suggest that bumetanide might be a viable option to improve postsynaptic inhibition after SCI, but it also decreases the recovery of presynaptic inhibition with step-training. We discuss whether the effects of bumetanide are mediated by NKCC1 or by off-target effects. KEY POINTS: After spinal cord injury (SCI), chloride homeostasis is dysregulated over time in parallel with the decrease in presynaptic inhibition of Ia afferents and postsynaptic inhibition of motoneurons, and the development of spasticity. While step-training counteracts these effects, it cannot always be implemented in the clinic because of comorbidities. An alternative intervention is to use pharmacological strategies to decrease spasticity without hindering the recovery of motor function with step-training. Here we found that, after SCI, a prolonged bumetanide (an FDA-approved antagonist of the sodium-potassium-chloride intruder, NKCC1) treatment increases postsynaptic inhibition of the H-reflex, and it hyperpolarizes the reversal potential for inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in motoneurons. However, in step-trained SCI, an acute delivery of bumetanide decreases presynaptic inhibition of the H-reflex, but not postsynaptic inhibition. Our results suggest that bumetanide has the potential to decrease spastic symptoms related to a decrease in postsynaptic but not presynaptic inhibition after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Caron
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19129
| | - Jadwiga Bilchak
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19129
| | - Marie-Pascale Côté
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19129
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Skiadopoulos A, Famodimu GO, Solomon SK, Agarwal P, Harel NY, Knikou M. Priming locomotor training with transspinal stimulation in people with spinal cord injury: study protocol of a randomized clinical trial. Trials 2023; 24:145. [PMID: 36841773 PMCID: PMC9960224 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07193-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The seemingly simple tasks of standing and walking require continuous integration of complex spinal reflex circuits between descending motor commands and ascending sensory inputs. Spinal cord injury greatly impairs standing and walking ability, but both improve with locomotor training. However, even after multiple locomotor training sessions, abnormal muscle activity and coordination persist. Thus, locomotor training alone cannot fully optimize the neuronal plasticity required to strengthen the synapses connecting the brain, spinal cord, and local circuits and potentiate neuronal activity based on need. Transcutaneous spinal cord (transspinal) stimulation alters motoneuron excitability over multiple segments by bringing motoneurons closer to threshold, a prerequisite for effectively promoting spinal locomotor network neuromodulation and strengthening neural connectivity of the injured human spinal cord. Importantly, whether concurrent treatment with transspinal stimulation and locomotor training maximizes motor recovery after spinal cord injury is unknown. METHODS Forty-five individuals with chronic spinal cord injury are receiving 40 sessions of robotic gait training primed with 30 Hz transspinal stimulation at the Thoracic 10 vertebral level. Participants are randomized to receive 30 min of active or sham transspinal stimulation during standing or active transspinal stimulation while supine followed by 30 min of robotic gait training. Over the course of locomotor training, the body weight support, treadmill speed, and leg guidance force are adjusted as needed for each participant based on absence of knee buckling during the stance phase and toe dragging during the swing phase. At baseline and after completion of all therapeutic sessions, neurophysiological recordings registering corticospinal and spinal neural excitability changes along with clinical assessment measures of standing and walking, and autonomic function via questionnaires regarding bowel, bladder, and sexual function are taken. DISCUSSION The results of this mechanistic randomized clinical trial will demonstrate that tonic transspinal stimulation strengthens corticomotoneuronal connectivity and dynamic neuromodulation through posture-dependent corticospinal and spinal neuroplasticity. We anticipate that this mechanistic clinical trial will greatly impact clinical practice because, in real-world clinical settings, noninvasive transspinal stimulation can be more easily and widely implemented than invasive epidural stimulation. Additionally, by applying multiple interventions to accelerate motor recovery, we are employing a treatment regimen that reflects a true clinical approach. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04807764 . Registered on March 19, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Skiadopoulos
- grid.254498.60000 0001 2198 5185Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY USA ,grid.254498.60000 0001 2198 5185Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY USA
| | - Grace O. Famodimu
- Spinal Cord Damage Research Center, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY USA
| | - Shammah K. Solomon
- grid.254498.60000 0001 2198 5185Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY USA ,grid.254498.60000 0001 2198 5185Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY USA
| | - Parul Agarwal
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Population Health Science & Policy, Institute for Health Care Delivery Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Manhattan, NY USA
| | - Noam Y. Harel
- Spinal Cord Damage Research Center, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY USA ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Population Health Science & Policy, Institute for Health Care Delivery Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Manhattan, NY USA
| | - Maria Knikou
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY, USA. .,Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA. .,PhD Program in Biology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, Graduate Center of The City University of New York and College of Staten Island, Manhattan & Staten Island, NY, USA.
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8
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Skiadopoulos A, Famodimu GO, Solomon SK, Agrawal P, Harel NY, Knikou M. Priming locomotor training with transspinal stimulation in people with spinal cord injury: study protocol of a randomized clinical trial. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2527617. [PMID: 36824823 PMCID: PMC9949167 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2527617/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Background The seemingly simple tasks of standing and walking require continuous integration of complex spinal reflex circuits between descending motor commands and ascending sensory inputs. Spinal cord injury greatly impairs standing and walking ability, but both improve with locomotor training. However, even after multiple locomotor training sessions, abnormal muscle activity and coordination persist. Thus, locomotor training alone cannot fully optimize the neuronal plasticity required to strengthen the synapses connecting the brain, spinal cord, and local circuits and potentiate neuronal activity based on need. Transcutaneous spinal cord (transspinal) stimulation alters motoneuron excitability over multiple segments by bringing motoneurons closer to threshold, a prerequisite for effectively promoting spinal locomotor network neuromodulation and strengthening neural connectivity of the injured human spinal cord. Importantly, whether concurrent treatment with transspinal stimulation and locomotor training maximizes motor recovery after spinal cord injury is unknown. Methods Forty-five individuals with chronic spinal cord injury are receiving 40 sessions of robotic gait training primed with 30 Hz transspinal stimulation at the Thoracic 10 vertebral level. Participants are randomized to receive 30-minutes of active or sham transspinal stimulation during standing or active transspinal stimulation while supine followed by 30-minutes of robotic gait training. Over the course of locomotor training, the body weight support, treadmill speed, and leg guidance force are adjusted as needed for each participant based on absence of knee buckling during the stance phase and toe dragging during the swing phase. At baseline and after completion of all therapeutic sessions, neurophysiological recordings registering corticospinal and spinal neural excitability changes along with clinical assessment measures of standing and walking, and autonomic function via questionnaires regarding bowel, bladder and sexual function are taken. Discussion The results of this mechanistic randomized clinical trial will demonstrate that tonic transspinal stimulation strengthens corticomotoneuronal connectivity and dynamic neuromodulation through posture-dependent corticospinal and spinal neuroplasticity. We anticipate that this mechanistic clinical trial will greatly impact clinical practice because in real-world clinical settings, noninvasive transspinal stimulation can be more easily and widely implemented than invasive epidural stimulation. Additionally, by applying multiple interventions to accelerate motor recovery, we are employing a treatment regimen that reflects a true clinical approach. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04807764; Registered on March 19, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Parul Agrawal
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Department of Population Health Science and Policy
| | - Noam Y Harel
- James J Peters VAMC: James J Peters VA Medical Center
| | - Maria Knikou
- College of Staten Island School of Health Sciences
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Fok KL, Kaneko N, Tajali S, Masani K. Paired associative stimulation on the soleus H-Reflex using motor point and peripheral nerve stimulation. Neurosci Lett 2023; 797:137070. [PMID: 36641045 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Paired associative stimulation (PAS) has been shown to modulate the corticospinal excitability via spike timing dependent plasticity (STDP). In this study, we aimed to suppress the spinal H-Reflex using PAS. We paired two stimulation modalities, i.e., peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) and motor point stimulation (MPS). We used PNS to dominantly activate the Ia sensory axon, and we used MPS to dominantly activate the α-motoneuron cell body antidromically. Thus, we applied both PNS and MPS such that the α-motoneuron cell body was activated 5 ms before the activation of the Ia sensory axon ending at the Ia-α motoneuron synapse. If the spinal reflexes can be modulated by STDP, and a combination of MPS and PNS is timed appropriately, then the H-Reflex amplitude will decrease while no change in H-Reflex amplitude is expected for MPS or PNS only. To test this hypothesis, six young healthy participants (5M/1F: 26.8 ± 4.1 yrs) received one of the three following conditions on days separated by at least 24 hr: 1) PAS, 2) MPS only or 3) PNS only. The H-Reflex and M-wave recruitment curves of the soleus were measured immediately prior to, immediately after, 30 min and 60 min after the intervention. The normalized H-Reflex amplitudes were then compared across conditions and times using a two-way ANOVA (3 conditions × 4 times). No main effects of condition or time, or interaction effect were found. These results suggest that relying solely on STDP may be insufficient to inhibit the soleus H-Reflex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Lon Fok
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada; KITE, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 520 Sutherland Drive, Toronto, ON M4G 3V9, Canada
| | - Naotsugu Kaneko
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada; KITE, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 520 Sutherland Drive, Toronto, ON M4G 3V9, Canada; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan; Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Shirin Tajali
- KITE, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 520 Sutherland Drive, Toronto, ON M4G 3V9, Canada
| | - Kei Masani
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada; KITE, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 520 Sutherland Drive, Toronto, ON M4G 3V9, Canada.
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10
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Phipps AM, Thompson AK. Altered cutaneous reflexes to non-noxious stimuli in the triceps surae of people with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury. J Neurophysiol 2023; 129:513-523. [PMID: 36722742 PMCID: PMC9970649 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00266.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Following spinal cord injury (SCI) task-dependent modulation of spinal reflexes are often impaired. To gain insight into the state of the spinal interneuronal pathways following injury, we studied the amplitude modulation of triceps surae cutaneous reflexes to non-noxious stimuli during standing and early-to-mid stance phase of walking in participants with and without chronic incomplete SCI. Reflex eliciting nerve stimulation was delivered to the superficial peroneal, sural, and distal tibial nerves about the ankle. Reflexes were analyzed in the short (SLR, 50-80 ms post stimulation onset) and the medium (MLR, 80-120 ms) latency response windows. Further, the relation between cutaneous and H-reflexes was also examined during standing. In participants without injuries the soleus SLR was modulated task-dependently with nerve specificity, and the soleus and medial gastrocnemius MLRs were modulated task-dependently. In contrast, participants with SCI, no task-dependent or nerve-specific modulation of triceps cutaneous reflexes was observed. The triceps surae cutaneous and H-reflexes were not correlated in either group (r = 0.01-0.37). The presence of cutaneous reflexes but the absence of significant amplitude modulation may suggest impaired function of spinal interneuronal pathways in this population. The lack of correlation between the cutaneous and H-reflexes may suggest that interneurons that are involved in H-reflex modulation and cutaneous reflex modulation do not receive common input, or the impact of the common input is outweighed by other input. Present findings highlight the importance of examining multiple spinal reflexes to better understanding spinal interneuronal pathways that affect motor control in people after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan M Phipps
- Department of Health Science and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
| | - Aiko K Thompson
- Department of Health Science and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
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11
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Baricich A, Battaglia M, Cuneo D, Cosenza L, Millevolte M, Cosma M, Filippetti M, Dalise S, Azzollini V, Chisari C, Spina S, Cinone N, Scotti L, Invernizzi M, Paolucci S, Picelli A, Santamato A. Clinical efficacy of botulinum toxin type A in patients with traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or multiple sclerosis: An observational longitudinal study. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1133390. [PMID: 37090974 PMCID: PMC10117778 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1133390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) is the treatment of choice for focal spasticity, with a concomitant effect on pain reduction and improvement of quality of life (QoL). Current evidence of its efficacy is based mainly on post stroke spasticity. This study aims to clarify the role of BoNT-A in the context of non-stroke spasticity (NSS). We enrolled 86 patients affected by multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury with clinical indication to perform BoNT-A treatment. Subjects were evaluated before injection and after 1, 3, and 6 months. At every visit, spasticity severity using the modified Ashworth scale, pain using the numeric rating scale, QoL using the Euro Qol Group EQ-5D-5L, and the perceived treatment effect using the Global Assessment of Efficacy scale were recorded. In our population BoNT-A demonstrated to have a significant effect in improving all the outcome variables, with different effect persistence over time in relation to the diagnosis and the number of treated sites. Our results support BoNT-A as a modifier of the disability condition and suggest its implementation in the treatment of NSS, delivering a possible starting point to generate diagnosis-specific follow-up programs. Clinical trial identifier NCT04673240.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Baricich
- Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, “Ospedale Maggiore della Carità” University Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | - Marco Battaglia
- Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, “Ospedale Maggiore della Carità” University Hospital, Novara, Italy
- *Correspondence: Marco Battaglia
| | - Daria Cuneo
- Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, A.S.L. Vercelli, Vercelli, Italy
| | - Lucia Cosenza
- Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Rehabilitation, “Santi Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo” National Hospital, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Marzia Millevolte
- Neurorehabilitation Clinic, Department Neurological Sciences, University Hospital of Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Michela Cosma
- Neuroscience and Rehabilitation Department, Ferrara University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mirko Filippetti
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefania Dalise
- Neurorehabilitation Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Azzollini
- Neurorehabilitation Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carmelo Chisari
- Neurorehabilitation Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Spina
- Spasticity and Movement Disorder Unit, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico Riuniti, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Cinone
- Spasticity and Movement Disorder Unit, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico Riuniti, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Lorenza Scotti
- Department of Translational Medicine, Unit of Medical Statistics, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Marco Invernizzi
- Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Dipartimento Attività Integrate Ricerca e Innovazione (DAIRI), Translational Medicine, “Santi Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo” National Hospital, Alessandria, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Picelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Andrea Santamato
- Spasticity and Movement Disorder Unit, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico Riuniti, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
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12
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Abstract
Spasticity is characterized by an enhanced size and reduced threshold for activation of stretch reflexes and is associated with "positive signs" such as clonus and spasms, as well as "negative features" such as paresis and a loss of automatic postural responses. Spasticity develops over time after a lesion and can be associated with reduced speed of movement, cocontraction, abnormal synergies, and pain. Spasticity is caused by a combination of damage to descending tracts, reductions in inhibitory activity within spinal cord circuits, and adaptive changes within motoneurons. Increased tone, hypertonia, can also be caused by changes in passive stiffness due to, for example, increase in connective tissue and reduction in muscle fascicle length. Understanding the cause of hypertonia is important for determining the management strategy as nonneural, passive causes of stiffness will be more amenable to physical rather than pharmacological interventions. The management of spasticity is determined by the views and goals of the patient, family, and carers, which should be integral to the multidisciplinary assessment. An assessment, and treatment, of trigger factors such as infection and skin breakdown should be made especially in people with a recent change in tone. The choice of management strategies for an individual will vary depending on the severity of spasticity, the distribution of spasticity (i.e., whether it affects multiple muscle groups or is more prominent in one or two groups), the type of lesion, and the potential for recovery. Management options include physical therapy, oral agents; focal therapies such as botulinum injections; and peripheral nerve blocks. Intrathecal baclofen can lead to a reduction in required oral antispasticity medications. When spasticity is severe intrathecal phenol may be an option. Surgical interventions, largely used in the pediatric population, include muscle transfers and lengthening and selective dorsal root rhizotomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Marsden
- School of Health Professions, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom.
| | - Valerie Stevenson
- Department of Therapies and Rehabilitation, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery UCLH, London, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Jarrett
- Department of Neurology, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, United Kingdom
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13
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Chen B, Perez MA. Altered regulation of Ia afferent input during voluntary contraction in humans with spinal cord injury. eLife 2022; 11:e80089. [PMID: 36069767 PMCID: PMC9451536 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory input converging on the spinal cord contributes to the control of movement. Although sensory pathways reorganize following spinal cord injury (SCI), the extent to which sensory input from Ia afferents is regulated during voluntary contraction after the injury remains largely unknown. To address this question, the soleus H-reflex and conditioning of the H-reflex by stimulating homonymous [depression of the soleus H-reflex evoked by common peroneal nerve (CPN) stimulation, D1 inhibition] and heteronymous (d), [monosynaptic Ia facilitation of the soleus H-reflex evoked by femoral nerve stimulation (FN facilitation)] nerves were tested at rest, and during tonic voluntary contraction in humans with and without chronic incomplete SCI. The soleus H-reflex size increased in both groups during voluntary contraction compared with rest, but to a lesser extent in SCI participants. Compared with rest, the D1 inhibition decreased during voluntary contraction in controls but it was still present in SCI participants. Further, the FN facilitation increased in controls but remained unchanged in SCI participants during voluntary contraction compared with rest. Changes in the D1 inhibition and FN facilitation were correlated with changes in the H-reflex during voluntary contraction, suggesting an association between outcomes. These findings provide the first demonstration that the regulation of Ia afferent input from homonymous and heteronymous nerves is altered during voluntary contraction in humans with SCI, resulting in lesser facilitatory effect on motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Chen
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Northwestern University, and Edward Hines Jr., VA Medical CenterChicagoUnited States
| | - Monica A Perez
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Northwestern University, and Edward Hines Jr., VA Medical CenterChicagoUnited States
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14
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Bruel A, Ghorbel SB, Russo AD, Stanev D, Armand S, Courtine G, Ijspeert A. Investigation of neural and biomechanical impairments leading to pathological toe and heel gaits using neuromusculoskeletal modelling. J Physiol 2022; 600:2691-2712. [PMID: 35442531 PMCID: PMC9401908 DOI: 10.1113/jp282609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Pathological toe and heel gaits are commonly present in various conditions such as spinal cord injury, stroke or cerebral palsy. These conditions present various neural and biomechanical impairments and the cause-effect relationships between these impairments and pathological gaits are hard to establish clinically. Based on neuromechanical simulation, this study focuses on the plantarflexor muscles and builds a new reflex circuit controller to model and evaluate the potential effect of both neural and biomechanical impairments on gait. Our results suggest an important contribution of active reflex mechanisms in pathological toe gait. This "what if" based on neuromechanical modelling is thus deemed of great interest to target potential pathological gait causes. ABSTRACT This study investigates the pathological toe and heel gaits in human locomotion using neuromusculoskeletal modelling and simulation. In particular, it aims at investigating potential cause-effect relationships between biomechanical or neural impairments and pathological gaits. Toe and heel gaits are commonly present in spinal cord injury, stroke or cerebral palsy. Toe walking is mainly attributed to spasticity and contracture at plantarflexor muscles, whereas heel walking can be attributed to muscle weakness from biomechanical or neural origin. To investigate the effect of these impairments on gait, this study focuses on the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles as they contribute to ankle plantarflexion. We built a reflex circuit model on top of Geyer and Herr's work (2010) with additional pathways affecting the plantarflexor muscles. The SCONE software, which provides optimisation tools for 2D neuromechanical simulation of human locomotion, is used to optimise the corresponding reflex parameters and simulate healthy gait. We then modelled various bilateral plantarflexors biomechanical and neural impairments, and individually introduced them in the healthy model. We characterised the resulting simulated gaits as pathological or not by comparing ankle kinematics and ankle moment with the healthy optimised gait based on metrics used in clinical studies. Our simulations suggest that toe walking can be generated by hyperreflexia, whereas muscle and neural weaknesses induce partially heel gait. Thus, this "what if" approach is deemed of great interest as it allows the investigation of the effect of various impairments on gait and suggests an important contribution of active reflex mechanisms in pathological toe gait. Abstract figure legend Various biomechanical and neural impairments are individually modelled at the level of the plantarflexor muscles in a musculoskeletal model and a complex reflex circuit-based gait controller. For instance, as shown on the left, the plantarflexors spindle reflex gain (KS) is increased to mimic hyperreflexia. The gait controller is then optimised for each of the impaired condition and the resulting gaits are characterised as pathological gait based on ankle kinematics and ankle moment metrics used in clinical studies. Thus, this "what if" approach allows the investigation of the effect of various impairments on gait presented in the table on the right. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Bruel
- BioRobotics laboratory, EPFL, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Dimitar Stanev
- BioRobotics laboratory, EPFL, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Auke Ijspeert
- BioRobotics laboratory, EPFL, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
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15
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Takahashi Y, Kawakami M, Mikami R, Nakajima T, Nagumo T, Yamaguchi T, Honaga K, Kondo K, Ishii R, Fujiwara T, Liu M. Relationship between spinal reflexes and leg motor function in sub-acute and chronic stroke patients. Clin Neurophysiol 2022; 138:74-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2022.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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16
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Xu J, Lopez AJ, Hoque MM, Borich MR, Kesar TM. Temporal Profile of Descending Cortical Modulation of Spinal Excitability: Group and Individual-Specific Effects. Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 15:777741. [PMID: 35197831 PMCID: PMC8859157 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2021.777741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensorimotor control is modulated through complex interactions between descending corticomotor pathways and ascending sensory inputs. Pairing sub-threshold transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) modulates the Hoffmann’s reflex (H-reflex), providing a neurophysiologic probe into the influence of descending cortical drive on spinal segmental circuits. However, individual variability in the timing and magnitude of H-reflex modulation is poorly understood. Here, we varied the inter-stimulus interval (ISI) between TMS and PNS to systematically manipulate the relative timing of convergence of descending TMS-induced volleys with respect to ascending PNS-induced afferent volleys in the spinal cord to: (1) characterize effective connectivity between the primary motor cortex (M1) and spinal circuits, mediated by both direct, fastest-conducting, and indirect, slower-conducting descending pathways; and (2) compare the effect of individual-specific vs. standard ISIs. Unconditioned and TMS-conditioned H-reflexes (24 different ISIs ranging from −6 to 12 ms) were recorded from the soleus muscle in 10 able-bodied individuals. The magnitude of H-reflex modulation at individualized ISIs (earliest facilitation delay or EFD and individual-specific peak facilitation) was compared with standard ISIs. Our results revealed a significant effect of ISI on H-reflex modulation. ISIs eliciting earliest-onset facilitation (EFD 0 ms) ranged from −3 to −5 ms across individuals. No difference in the magnitude of facilitation was observed at EFD 0 ms vs. a standardized short-interval ISI of −1.5 ms. Peak facilitation occurred at longer ISIs, ranging from +3 to +11 ms. The magnitude of H-reflex facilitation derived using an individual-specific peak facilitation was significantly larger than facilitation observed at a standardized longer-interval ISI of +10 ms. Our results suggest that unique insights can be provided with individual-specific measures of top-down effective connectivity mediated by direct and/or fastest-conducting pathways (indicated by the magnitude of facilitation observed at EFD 0 ms) and other descending pathways that encompass relatively slower and/or indirect connections from M1 to spinal circuits (indicated by peak facilitation and facilitation at longer ISIs). By comprehensively characterizing the temporal profile and inter-individual variability of descending modulation of spinal reflexes, our findings provide methodological guidelines and normative reference values to inform future studies on neurophysiological correlates of the complex array of descending neural connections between M1 and spinal circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Alejandro J. Lopez
- Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Maruf M. Hoque
- Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Michael R. Borich
- Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Trisha M. Kesar
- Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- *Correspondence: Trisha M. Kesar
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17
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Anodal tDCS of contralesional hemisphere modulates ipsilateral control of spinal motor networks targeting the paretic arm post-stroke. Clin Neurophysiol 2022; 136:1-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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18
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Vinti M, Saikia MJ, Donoghue J, Mankodiya K, Kerman KL. A modified surface EMG biomarker for gait assessment in spastic cerebral palsy. Hum Mov Sci 2021; 80:102875. [PMID: 34736019 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2021.102875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Muscle clinical metrics are crucial for spastic cocontraction management in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). We investigated whether the ankle plantar flexors cocontraction index (CCI) normalized with respect to the bipedal heel rise (BHR) approach provides more robust spastic cocontraction estimates during gait than those obtained through the widely accepted standard maximal isometric plantar flexion (IPF). METHODS Ten control and 10 CP children with equinus gait pattern performed the BHR and IPF testing and walked barefoot 10-m distance. We compared agonist medial gastrocnemius EMG during both testing and CCIs obtained as the ratios of antagonist EMG during swing phase of gait and either BHR or IPF agonist EMG. RESULTS Agonist EMG values from the BHR were: (i) internally reliable (Cronbach's α = 0.993), (ii) ~50 ± 0.4% larger than IPF, (iii) and positively correlated. Derived CCIs were significantly smaller (p < 0.05) in both populations. CONCLUSION The bipedal heel rise approach may be accurate enough to reveal greater agonist activity of plantar flexors than the maximal isometric plantar flexion and seems to be more appropriate to obtain cocontraction estimates during swing of gait. SIGNIFICANCE This modified biomarker may represent a step forward towards improved accuracy of spastic gait management in pediatric.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vinti
- Department of Pediatrics, Hasbro Children's Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA.
| | - Manob Jyoti Saikia
- Center for Applied Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - John Donoghue
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI 02906, USA
| | - Kunal Mankodiya
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Rhode Island, RI 02881, USA
| | - Karen L Kerman
- Department of Pediatrics, Hasbro Children's Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA
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19
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Calvert JS, Gill ML, Linde MB, Veith DD, Thoreson AR, Lopez C, Lee KH, Gerasimenko YP, Edgerton VR, Lavrov IA, Zhao KD, Grahn PJ, Sayenko DG. Voluntary Modulation of Evoked Responses Generated by Epidural and Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation in Humans with Spinal Cord Injury. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10214898. [PMID: 34768418 PMCID: PMC8584516 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10214898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous (TSS) and epidural spinal stimulation (ESS) are electrophysiological techniques that have been used to investigate the interactions between exogenous electrical stimuli and spinal sensorimotor networks that integrate descending motor signals with afferent inputs from the periphery during motor tasks such as standing and stepping. Recently, pilot-phase clinical trials using ESS and TSS have demonstrated restoration of motor functions that were previously lost due to spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the spinal network interactions that occur in response to TSS or ESS pulses with spared descending connections across the site of SCI have yet to be characterized. Therefore, we examined the effects of delivering TSS or ESS pulses to the lumbosacral spinal cord in nine individuals with chronic SCI. During low-frequency stimulation, participants were instructed to relax or attempt maximum voluntary contraction to perform full leg flexion while supine. We observed similar lower-extremity neuromusculature activation during TSS and ESS when performed in the same participants while instructed to relax. Interestingly, when participants were instructed to attempt lower-extremity muscle contractions, both TSS- and ESS-evoked motor responses were significantly inhibited across all muscles. Participants with clinically complete SCI tested with ESS and participants with clinically incomplete SCI tested with TSS demonstrated greater ability to modulate evoked responses than participants with motor complete SCI tested with TSS, although this was not statistically significant due to a low number of subjects in each subgroup. These results suggest that descending commands combined with spinal stimulation may increase activity of inhibitory interneuronal circuitry within spinal sensorimotor networks in individuals with SCI, which may be relevant in the context of regaining functional motor outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S. Calvert
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Megan L. Gill
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
| | - Margaux B. Linde
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
| | - Daniel D. Veith
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
| | - Andrew R. Thoreson
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
| | - Cesar Lopez
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
| | - Kendall H. Lee
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Yury P. Gerasimenko
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology of Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Victor R. Edgerton
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Institut Guttmann, Hospital de Neurorehabilitació, Institut Universitari Adscrit a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo 2007, Australia
| | - Igor A. Lavrov
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Kristin D. Zhao
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Peter J. Grahn
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (M.L.G.); (M.B.L.); (D.D.V.); (A.R.T.); (C.L.); (K.H.L.); (K.D.Z.); (P.J.G.)
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Dimitry G. Sayenko
- Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-713-363-7949
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20
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Ghédira M, Albertsen IM, Mardale V, Loche CM, Vinti M, Gracies JM, Bayle N, Hutin E. Agonist and antagonist activation at the ankle monitored along the swing phase in hemiparetic gait. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2021; 89:105459. [PMID: 34438333 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2021.105459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Descending command in hemiparesis is reduced to agonists and misdirected to antagonists. We monitored agonist and antagonist activation along the swing phase of gait, comparing paretic and non-paretic legs. METHODS Forty-two adults with chronic hemiparesis underwent gait analysis with bilateral EMG from tibialis anterior, soleus and gastrocnemius medialis. We monitored ankle and knee positions, and coefficients of agonist activation in tibialis anterior and of antagonist activation in soleus and gastrocnemius medialis over the three thirds of swing phase. These coefficients were defined as the ratio of the root-mean-square EMG from one muscle over any period to the root-mean-square EMG from the same muscle over 100 ms of its maximal voluntary isometric contraction. FINDINGS As against the non-paretic side, the paretic side showed lesser ankle dorsiflexion and knee flexion (P < 1.E-5), with higher coefficients of agonist activation in tibialis anterior (+100 ± 28%, P < 0.05), and of antagonist activation in soleus (+224 ± 41%, P < 0.05) and gastrocnemius medialis (+276 ± 49%, P < 0.05). On the paretic side, coefficient of agonist activation in tibialis anterior decreased from mid-swing on; coefficients of antagonist activation in soleus and gastrocnemius medialis increased and ankle dorsiflexion decreased in late swing (P < 0.05). INTERPRETATION During the swing phase in hemiparesis, normalized tibialis anterior recruitment is higher on the paretic than on the non-paretic leg, failing to compensate for a marked increase in plantar flexor activation (cocontraction). The situation deteriorates along swing with a decrease in tibialis anterior recruitment in parallel with an increase in plantar flexor activation, both likely related to gastrocnemius stretch during knee re-extension. Clinical Trial Registration-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03119948.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mouna Ghédira
- Laboratoire Analyse et Restauration du Mouvement (ARM), Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), France; EA 7377 BIOTN, Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), Créteil, France.
| | - Inke Marie Albertsen
- Laboratoire Analyse et Restauration du Mouvement (ARM), Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), France; EA 7377 BIOTN, Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), Créteil, France
| | - Valentina Mardale
- Laboratoire Analyse et Restauration du Mouvement (ARM), Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), France
| | - Catherine-Marie Loche
- Laboratoire Analyse et Restauration du Mouvement (ARM), Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), France
| | - Maria Vinti
- Laboratoire Analyse et Restauration du Mouvement (ARM), Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), France
| | - Jean-Michel Gracies
- Laboratoire Analyse et Restauration du Mouvement (ARM), Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), France; EA 7377 BIOTN, Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), Créteil, France
| | - Nicolas Bayle
- Laboratoire Analyse et Restauration du Mouvement (ARM), Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), France; EA 7377 BIOTN, Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), Créteil, France
| | - Emilie Hutin
- Laboratoire Analyse et Restauration du Mouvement (ARM), Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), France; EA 7377 BIOTN, Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), Créteil, France
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21
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Fok KL, Lee JW, Unger J, Chan K, Musselman KE, Masani K. Co-contraction of ankle muscle activity during quiet standing in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury is associated with postural instability. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19599. [PMID: 34599267 PMCID: PMC8486862 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99151-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous findings indicate that co-contractions of plantarflexors and dorsiflexors during quiet standing increase the ankle mechanical joint stiffness, resulting in increased postural sway. Balance impairments in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) may be due to co-contractions like in other individuals with reduced balance ability. Here we investigated the effect of co-contraction between plantar- and dorsiflexors on postural balance in individuals with iSCI (iSCI-group) and able-bodied individuals (AB-group). Thirteen able-bodied individuals and 13 individuals with iSCI were asked to perform quiet standing with their eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). Kinetics and electromyograms from the tibialis anterior (TA), soleus and medial gastrocnemius were collected bilaterally. The iSCI-group exhibited more co-contractions than the AB-group (EO: 0.208% vs. 75.163%, p = 0.004; EC: 1.767% vs. 92.373%, p = 0.016). Furthermore, postural sway was larger during co-contractions than during no co-contraction in the iSCI-group (EO: 1.405 cm/s2 vs. 0.867 cm/s2, p = 0.023; EC: 1.831 cm/s2 vs. 1.179 cm/s2, p = 0.030), but no differences were found for the AB-group (EO: 0.393 cm/s2 vs. 0.499 cm/s2, p = 1.00; EC: 0.686 cm/s2 vs. 0.654 cm/s2, p = 1.00). To investigate the mechanism, we performed a computational simulation study using an inverted pendulum model and linear controllers. An increase of mechanical stiffness in the simulated iSCI-group resulted in increased postural sway (EO: 2.520 cm/s2 vs. 1.174 cm/s2, p < 0.001; EC: 4.226 cm/s2 vs. 1.836 cm/s2, p < 0.001), but not for the simulated AB-group (EO: 0.658 cm/s2 vs. 0.658 cm/s2, p = 1.00; EC: 0.943 cm/s2 vs. 0.926 cm/s2, p = 0.190). Thus, we demonstrated that co-contractions may be a compensatory strategy for individuals with iSCI to accommodate for decreased motor function, but co-contractions may result in increased ankle mechanical joint stiffness and consequently postural sway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Lon Fok
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jae W Lee
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Janelle Unger
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Katherine Chan
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kristin E Musselman
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kei Masani
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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22
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Hofstoetter US, Freundl B, Lackner P, Binder H. Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Enhances Walking Performance and Reduces Spasticity in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11040472. [PMID: 33917893 PMCID: PMC8068213 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11040472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gait dysfunction and spasticity are common debilitating consequences of multiple sclerosis (MS). Improvements of these motor impairments by lumbar transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) have been demonstrated in spinal cord injury. Here, we explored for the first time the motor effects of lumbar tSCS applied at 50 Hz for 30 min in 16 individuals with MS and investigated their temporal persistence post-intervention. We used a comprehensive protocol assessing walking ability, different presentations of spasticity, standing ability, manual dexterity, and trunk control. Walking ability, including walking speed and endurance, was significantly improved for two hours beyond the intervention and returned to baseline after 24 h. Muscle spasms, clonus duration, and exaggerated stretch reflexes were reduced for two hours, and clinically assessed lower-extremity muscle hypertonia remained at improved levels for 24 h post-intervention. Further, postural sway during normal standing with eyes open was decreased for two hours. No changes were detected in manual dexterity and trunk control. Our results suggest that transcutaneous lumbar SCS can serve as a clinically accessible method without known side effects that holds the potential for substantial clinical benefit across the disability spectrum of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula S. Hofstoetter
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence:
| | - Brigitta Freundl
- Neurological Center, Klinik Penzing—Wiener Gesundheitsverbund, 1140 Vienna, Austria; (B.F.); (P.L.); (H.B.)
| | - Peter Lackner
- Neurological Center, Klinik Penzing—Wiener Gesundheitsverbund, 1140 Vienna, Austria; (B.F.); (P.L.); (H.B.)
| | - Heinrich Binder
- Neurological Center, Klinik Penzing—Wiener Gesundheitsverbund, 1140 Vienna, Austria; (B.F.); (P.L.); (H.B.)
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23
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Islam MA, Pulverenti TS, Knikou M. Neuronal Actions of Transspinal Stimulation on Locomotor Networks and Reflex Excitability During Walking in Humans With and Without Spinal Cord Injury. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:620414. [PMID: 33679347 PMCID: PMC7930001 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.620414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the neuromodulatory effects of transspinal stimulation on soleus H-reflex excitability and electromyographic (EMG) activity during stepping in humans with and without spinal cord injury (SCI). Thirteen able-bodied adults and 5 individuals with SCI participated in the study. EMG activity from both legs was determined for steps without, during, and after a single-pulse or pulse train transspinal stimulation delivered during stepping randomly at different phases of the step cycle. The soleus H-reflex was recorded in both subject groups under control conditions and following single-pulse transspinal stimulation at an individualized exactly similar positive and negative conditioning-test interval. The EMG activity was decreased in both subject groups at the steps during transspinal stimulation, while intralimb and interlimb coordination were altered only in SCI subjects. At the steps immediately after transspinal stimulation, the physiological phase-dependent EMG modulation pattern remained unaffected in able-bodied subjects. The conditioned soleus H-reflex was depressed throughout the step cycle in both subject groups. Transspinal stimulation modulated depolarization of motoneurons over multiple segments, limb coordination, and soleus H-reflex excitability during assisted stepping. The soleus H-reflex depression may be the result of complex spinal inhibitory interneuronal circuits activated by transspinal stimulation and collision between orthodromic and antidromic volleys in the peripheral mixed nerve. The soleus H-reflex depression by transspinal stimulation suggests a potential application for normalization of spinal reflex excitability after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Anamul Islam
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Timothy S. Pulverenti
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Maria Knikou
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States
- PhD Program in Biology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, Graduate Center of the City University of New York and College of Staten Island, New York, NY, United States
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24
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Nakayama H, Kawakami M, Takahashi Y, Kondo K, Shimizu E. The changes in spinal reciprocal inhibition during motor imagery in lower extremity. Neurol Sci 2021; 42:3813-3820. [PMID: 33464412 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05054-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Motor imagery (MI) is known to improve motor function through enhancement of motor cortex activity. Spinal reciprocal inhibition (RI) is modulated by motor cortex activity, and, therefore, MI may change RI. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in RI during MI involving the lower extremity. Spinal RI was measured from the tibialis anterior (TA) to the soleus (SOL). Eleven healthy adults participated in experiment 1. All participants performed the following three conditions, and RI was assessed during each condition: (1) resting condition; (2) MI of ankle dorsiflexion condition (MI-DF); and (3) MI of ankle plantarflexion condition (MI-PF). Twelve healthy adults participated in experiment 2. All participants performed the following two conditions, and RI was assessed before and after MI practice for 10 min: (1) resting condition and (2) MI-DF. The interval between the conditioning and test stimulus (inter-stimulus interval; ISI) was set at 0, 1, 2, or 3 ms and 20 ms. In experiment 1, RI during MI-PF was significantly decreased compared with that during resting with both stimulus intervals. RI during MI-DF showed no significant change compared with that during resting with both ISIs. In experiment 2, the difference between the rest condition and the MI-DF condition after the MI task with ISI of 20 ms was significantly higher than before the MI task. Our findings suggest that real-time changes in RI during MI involving the lower extremity may vary depending on the direction of motion and MI practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideto Nakayama
- Yatsu Hoken Hospital, 4-6-16 Yatsu, Narashino-shi, Chiba, 275-0026, Japan.,Tokyo Bay Rehabilitation Hospital, 4-1-1 Yatsu, Narashino-shi, Chiba, 275-0026, Japan.,Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Chuo-ku, inohana, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Michiyuki Kawakami
- Tokyo Bay Rehabilitation Hospital, 4-1-1 Yatsu, Narashino-shi, Chiba, 275-0026, Japan. .,Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
| | - Yoko Takahashi
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyou-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Kunitsugu Kondo
- Tokyo Bay Rehabilitation Hospital, 4-1-1 Yatsu, Narashino-shi, Chiba, 275-0026, Japan
| | - Eiji Shimizu
- Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Chuo-ku, inohana, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
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25
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Nakagawa K, Tomoi M, Higashi K, Utsumi S, Kawano R, Tanaka E, Kurisu K, Yuge L. Short-term effect of a close-fitting type of walking assistive device on spinal cord reciprocal inhibition. J Clin Neurosci 2020; 77:142-147. [PMID: 32386864 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2020.04.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
One of the major problems with walking encountered by patients with spastic hemiplegia is diminished toe clearance due to spasticity of their leg muscles. To improve their walking, a specialized robot assist for ankle movements (RE-Gait) has been utilized. The present study examined the neurophysiological effects whether spinal cord reciprocal Ia inhibition (RI) in the leg was altered by using RE-Gait. Sixteen patients with a clinical diagnosis of stroke were divided into the two groups, RE-Gait walking group (Group R) and normal (controlled) walking group (Group C). In each group, they walked on a flat floor for 15 min with or without RE-Gait. The depression of soleus (Sol) H-reflexes conditioned by common peroneal nerve stimuli with the conditioning-test (C-T) intervals of 1, 2, 3, and 4 ms were assessed before and immediately after each walking session. After the intervention, the LSM (SE) of Sol H-reflex amplitude with 1, 2 and 3 ms C-T interval conditions were significantly decreased in group R (1 ms: 88.15 (4.60), 2 ms: 86.37 (4.60), 3 ms: 89.68 (4.62)) compared to group C (1 ms: 105.57 (4.56), 2 ms: 100.89 (4.58), 3 ms: 107.72 (4.58)) [1 ms: p = 0.012, 2 ms: p = 0.035, 3 ms: p = 0.011]. Walking assistive robot that targets ankle movements might be a new rehabilitation tool for regulating spinal cord excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Nakagawa
- Division of Bio-Environmental Adaptation Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Masahiro Tomoi
- Division of Bio-Environmental Adaptation Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Keita Higashi
- Department of Rehabilitation, Innoshima Medical Association Hospital, Onomichi, Japan
| | - Sho Utsumi
- Division of Bio-Environmental Adaptation Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Reo Kawano
- Center for Integrated Medical Research, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Eiichiro Tanaka
- Graduate School of Information, Production and Systems, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Kita-Kyushu, Japan
| | - Kaoru Kurisu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Louis Yuge
- Division of Bio-Environmental Adaptation Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
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26
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Alteration of glycinergic receptor expression in lumbar spinal motoneurons is involved in the mechanisms underlying spasticity after spinal cord injury. J Chem Neuroanat 2020; 106:101787. [PMID: 32339654 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2020.101787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Spasticity is a disabling motor disorder affecting 70% of people with brain and spinal cord injury. The rate-dependent depression (RDD) of the H reflex is the only electrophysiological measurement correlated with the degree of spasticity assessed clinically in spastic patients. Several lines of evidence suggest that the mechanism underlying the H reflex RDD depends on the strength of synaptic inhibition through GABAA (GABAAR) and glycine receptors (GlyR). In adult rats with spinal cord transection (SCT), we studied the time course of the expression of GABAAR and GlyR at the membrane of retrogradely identified Gastrocnemius and Tibialis anterior motoneurons (MNs) 3, 8 and 16 weeks after injury, and measured the RDD of the H reflex at similar post lesion times. Three weeks after SCT, a significant decrease in the expression of GABAA and GlyR was observed compared to intact rats, and the H-reflex RDD was much less pronounced than in controls. Eight weeks after SCT, GlyR values returned to normal. Simultaneously, we observed a tendency to recover normal RDD of the H reflex at higher frequencies. We tested whether an anti-inflammatory treatment using methylprednisolone performed immediately after SCT could prevent alterations in GABAA/glycine receptors and/or the development of spasticity observed 3 weeks after injury. This treatment restored control levels of GlyR but not the expression of GABAAR, and it completely prevented the attenuation of RDD. These data strongly suggest that alteration of glycinergic inhibition of lumbar MNs is involved in the mechanisms underlying spasticity after SCI.
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27
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Vastano R, Perez MA. Changes in motoneuron excitability during voluntary muscle activity in humans with spinal cord injury. J Neurophysiol 2020; 123:454-461. [PMID: 31461361 PMCID: PMC7052637 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00367.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The excitability of resting motoneurons increases following spinal cord injury (SCI). The extent to which motoneuron excitability changes during voluntary muscle activity in humans with SCI, however, remains poorly understood. To address this question, we measured F waves by using supramaximal electrical stimulation of the ulnar nerve at the wrist and cervicomedullary motor-evoked potentials (CMEPs) by using high-current electrical stimulation over the cervicomedullary junction in the first dorsal interosseous muscle at rest and during 5 and 30% of maximal voluntary contraction into index finger abduction in individuals with chronic cervical incomplete SCI and aged-matched control participants. We found higher persistence (number of F waves present in each set) and amplitude of F waves at rest in SCI compared with control participants. With increasing levels of voluntary contraction, the amplitude, but not the persistence, of F waves increased in both groups but to a lesser extent in SCI compared with control participants. Similarly, the CMEP amplitude increased in both groups but to a lesser extent in SCI compared with controls. These results were also found at matched absolutely levels of electromyographic activity, suggesting that these changes were not related to decreases in voluntary motor output after SCI. F-wave and CMEP amplitudes were positively correlated across conditions in both groups. These results support the hypothesis that the responsiveness of the motoneuron pool during voluntary activity decreases following SCI, which could alter the generation and strength of voluntary muscle contractions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY How the excitability of motoneurons changes during voluntary muscle activity in humans with spinal cord injury (SCI) remains poorly understood. We found that F-wave and cervicomedullary motor-evoked potential amplitude, outcomes reflecting motoneuronal excitability, increased during voluntary activity compared with rest in SCI participants but to a lesser extent that in controls. These results suggest that the responsiveness of motoneurons during voluntary activity decreases following SCI, which might affect functionally relevant plasticity after the injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Vastano
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
- Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida
| | - Monica A Perez
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
- Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida
- Shirley Ryan Ability Laboratory, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Hines Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
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28
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Lower extremity long-latency reflexes differentiate walking function after stroke. Exp Brain Res 2019; 237:2595-2605. [PMID: 31372688 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-019-05614-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The neural mechanisms of walking impairment after stroke are not well characterized. Specifically, there is a need for understanding the mechanisms of impaired plantarflexor power generation in late stance. Here, we investigated the association between two neurophysiologic markers, the long-latency reflex (LLR) response and dynamic facilitation of antagonist motor-evoked responses, and walking function. Fourteen individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis and thirteen healthy controls performed both isometric and dynamic plantarflexion. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) assessed supraspinal drive to the tibialis anterior. LLR activity was assessed during dynamic voluntary plantarflexion and individuals post-stroke were classified as either LLR present (LLR+) or absent (LLR-). All healthy controls and nine individuals post-stroke exhibited LLRs, while five did not. LLR+ individuals revealed higher clinical scores, walking speeds, and greater ankle plantarflexor power during walking compared to LLR- individuals. LLR- individuals exhibited exaggerated responses to TMS during dynamic plantarflexion relative to healthy controls. The LLR- subset revealed dysfunctional modulation of stretch responses and antagonist supraspinal drive relative to healthy controls and the higher functioning LLR+ individuals post-stroke. These abnormal physiologic responses allow for characterization of individuals post-stroke along a dimension that is clinically relevant and provides additional information beyond standard behavioral assessments. These findings provide an opportunity to distinguish among the heterogeneity of lower extremity motor impairments present following stroke by associating them with responses at the nervous system level.
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29
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Cattagni T, Geiger M, Supiot A, de Mazancourt P, Pradon D, Zory R, Roche N. A single session of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation applied over the affected primary motor cortex does not alter gait parameters in chronic stroke survivors. Neurophysiol Clin 2019; 49:283-293. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neucli.2019.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
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30
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Hofstoetter US, Freundl B, Danner SM, Krenn MJ, Mayr W, Binder H, Minassian K. Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Induces Temporary Attenuation of Spasticity in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2019; 37:481-493. [PMID: 31333064 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2019.6588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is currently regarded as a breakthrough procedure for enabling movement after spinal cord injury (SCI), yet one of its original applications was for spinal spasticity. An emergent method that activates similar target neural structures non-invasively is transcutaneous SCS. Its clinical value for spasticity control would depend on inducing carry-over effects, because the surface-electrode-based approach cannot be applied chronically. We evaluated single-session effects of transcutaneous lumbar SCS in 12 individuals with SCI by a test-battery approach, before, immediately after and 2 h after intervention. Stimulation was applied for 30 min at 50 Hz with an intensity sub-threshold for eliciting reflexes in lower extremity muscles. The tests included evaluations of stretch-induced spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale [MAS] sum score, pendulum test, electromyography-based evaluation of tonic stretch reflexes), clonus, cutaneous-input-evoked spasms, and the timed 10 m walk test. Across participants, the MAS sum score, clonus, and spasms were significantly reduced immediately after SCS, and all spasticity measures were improved 2 h post-intervention, with large effect sizes and including clinically meaningful improvements. The effect on walking speed varied across individuals. We further conducted a single-case multi-session study over 6 weeks to explore the applicability of transcutaneous SCS as a home-based therapy. Self-application of the intervention was successful; weekly evaluations suggested progressively improving therapeutic effects during the active period and carry-over effects for 7 days. Our results suggest that transcutaneous SCS can be a viable non-pharmacological option for managing spasticity, likely working through enhancing pre- and post-synaptic spinal inhibitory mechanisms, and may additionally serve to identify responders to treatments with epidural SCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula S Hofstoetter
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Brigitta Freundl
- Neurological Center, SMZ Baumgartner Hoehe, Otto-Wagner-Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon M Danner
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Matthias J Krenn
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi.,Center for Neuroscience and Neurological Recovery, Methodist Rehabilitation Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Winfried Mayr
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinrich Binder
- Neurological Center, SMZ Baumgartner Hoehe, Otto-Wagner-Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karen Minassian
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Horstman GM, Housley SN, Cope TC. Dysregulation of mechanosensory circuits coordinating the actions of antagonist motor pools following peripheral nerve injury and muscle reinnervation. Exp Neurol 2019; 318:124-134. [PMID: 31039333 PMCID: PMC6588415 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Movement disorders observed following peripheral nerve injury and muscle reinnervation suggest discoordination in the activation of antagonist muscles. Although underlying mechanisms remain undecided, dysfunction in spinal reflex circuits is a reasonable candidate. Based on the well known role of reflex inhibition between agonist and antagonist muscles in normal animals, we hypothesized its reduction following muscle reinnervation, similar to that associated with other disorders exhibiting antagonist discoordination, e.g. spinal cord injury and dystonia. Experiments performed on acutely-decerebrated rats examined interactions of mechanosensory reflexes between ipsilateral muscles acting as mechanical antagonists at the ankle joint: ankle extensor, gastrocnemii (G) muscles (agonists) and ankle flexor, tibialis anterior (TA) muscle (antagonist). The force of agonist stretch reflex contraction was measured for its suppression or facilitation by concurrent conditioning stretch of the antagonist muscle. Data were compared between two groups of adult rats, an antagonist reinnervation group with TA muscle reinnervated and a control group with TA normally innervated. Results revealed a three-fold increase in reflex suppression in the antagonist reinnervation group, contrary to our predicted decrease. Reflex facilitation also increased, not only in strength, seven-fold, but also in its frequency of stochastic occurrence across stimulus trials. These observations suggest dysregulation in specific spinal reflex circuits as novel candidate origins of modified antagonist muscle coordination following peripheral nerve injury and muscle reinnervation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle M Horstman
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, United States of America
| | - Stephen N Housley
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, United States of America
| | - Timothy C Cope
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, United States of America; School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, United States of America; W.H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, United States of America.
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Modulation of soleus stretch reflexes during walking in people with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury. Exp Brain Res 2019; 237:2461-2479. [PMID: 31309252 PMCID: PMC6751142 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-019-05603-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In people with spasticity due to chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), it has been presumed that the abnormal stretch reflex activity impairs gait. However, locomotor stretch reflexes across all phases of walking have not been investigated in people with SCI. Thus, to understand modulation of stretch reflex excitability during spastic gait, we investigated soleus stretch reflexes across the entire gait cycle in nine neurologically normal participants and nine participants with spasticity due to chronic incomplete SCI (2.5–11 year post-injury). While the participant walked on the treadmill at his/her preferred speed, unexpected ankle dorsiflexion perturbations (6° at 250°/s) were imposed every 4–6 steps. The soleus H-reflex was also examined. In participants without SCI, spinal short-latency “M1”, spinal medium latency “M2”, and long-latency “M3” were clearly modulated throughout the step cycle; the responses were largest in the mid-stance and almost completely suppressed during the stance-swing transition and swing phases. In participants with SCI, M1 and M2 were abnormally large in the mid–late-swing phase, while M3 modulation was similar to that in participants without SCI. The H-reflex was also large in the mid–late-swing phase. Elicitation of H-reflex and stretch reflexes in the late swing often triggered clonus and affected the soleus activity in the following stance. In individuals without SCI, moderate positive correlation was found between H-reflex and stretch reflex sizes across the step cycle, whereas in participants with SCI, such correlation was weak to non-existing, suggesting that H-reflex investigation would not substitute for stretch reflex investigation in individuals after SCI.
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Thompson AK, Wolpaw JR. H-reflex conditioning during locomotion in people with spinal cord injury. J Physiol 2019; 599:2453-2469. [PMID: 31215646 PMCID: PMC7241089 DOI: 10.1113/jp278173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Key points In people or animals with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), changing a spinal reflex through an operant conditioning protocol can improve locomotion. All previous studies conditioned the reflex during steady‐state maintenance of a specific posture. By contrast, the present study down‐conditioned the reflex during the swing‐phase of locomotion in people with hyperreflexia as a result of chronic incomplete SCI. The aim was to modify the functioning of the reflex in a specific phase of a dynamic movement. This novel swing‐phase conditioning protocol decreased the reflex much faster and farther than did the steady‐state protocol in people or animals with or without SCI, and it also improved locomotion. The reflex decrease persisted for at least 6 months after conditioning ended. The results suggest that conditioning reflex function in a specific phase of a dynamic movement offers a new approach to enhancing and/or accelerating recovery after SCI or in other disorders.
Abstract In animals and people with incomplete spinal cord injury, appropriate operant conditioning of a spinal reflex can improve impaired locomotion. In all previous conditioning studies, the reflex was conditioned during steady‐state maintenance of a stable posture; this steady‐state protocol aimed to change the excitability of the targeted reflex pathway; reflex size gradually changed over 8–10 weeks. The present study introduces a new protocol, comprising a dynamic protocol that aims to change the functioning of the reflex pathway during a specific phase of a complex movement. Specifically, we down‐conditioned the soleus H‐reflex during the swing‐phase of locomotion in people with hyperreflexia as a result of chronic incomplete SCI. The swing‐phase H‐reflex, which is absent or very small in neurologically normal individuals, is abnormally large in this patient population. The results were clear. With swing‐phase down‐conditioning, the H‐reflex decreased much faster and farther than did the H‐reflex in all previous animal or human studies with the steady‐state protocol, and the decrease persisted for at least 6 months after conditioning ended. The H‐reflex decrease was accompanied by improvements in walking speed and in the modulation of locomotor electromyograph activity in proximal and distal muscles of both legs. These results provide new insight into the factors controlling spinal reflex conditioning; they suggest that the conditioning protocols targeting reflex function in a specific movement phase provide a promising new opportunity to enhance functional recovery after SCI or in other disorders. In people or animals with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), changing a spinal reflex through an operant conditioning protocol can improve locomotion. All previous studies conditioned the reflex during steady‐state maintenance of a specific posture. By contrast, the present study down‐conditioned the reflex during the swing‐phase of locomotion in people with hyperreflexia as a result of chronic incomplete SCI. The aim was to modify the functioning of the reflex in a specific phase of a dynamic movement. This novel swing‐phase conditioning protocol decreased the reflex much faster and farther than did the steady‐state protocol in people or animals with or without SCI, and it also improved locomotion. The reflex decrease persisted for at least 6 months after conditioning ended. The results suggest that conditioning reflex function in a specific phase of a dynamic movement offers a new approach to enhancing and/or accelerating recovery after SCI or in other disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiko K Thompson
- College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jonathan R Wolpaw
- Wadsworth Center, NYS Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA.,Department of Neurology, Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
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Association Between Spasticity and Functional Impairments During the First Year After Stroke in Korea: The KOSCO Study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2019; 97:557-564. [PMID: 29509548 DOI: 10.1097/phm.0000000000000916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between spasticity severity and functional outcomes during the first year after stroke. DESIGN The Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation is a large, multicenter, prospective cohort study of all patients with acute first-ever stroke admitted to participating hospitals in nine Korean areas. To investigate the correlation between spasticity severity and functional status measured by using the Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Functional Ambulatory Category (FAC), modified Rankin scale (mRS), and American Speech-Language Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System Swallowing Scale (ASHA-NOMS), data were analyzed at 3, 6, and 12 mos after the occurrence of stroke. RESULTS A total of 7359 stroke patients, 3056 were finally included. Prevalence rates of spasticity in patients after stroke were 6.8% at 3 mos, 6.9% at 6 mos, and 7.6% at 12 mos. The scores of mRS and NIHSS were higher and those of K-MBI, FIM, FMA, and ASHA-NOMS were lower in more severe spastic patients, indicating poorer functional outcomes (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the coexistence of spasticity and poor functional outcome during the first year after first-ever stroke patients.
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Takahashi Y, Kawakami M, Yamaguchi T, Idogawa Y, Tanabe S, Kondo K, Liu M. Effects of Leg Motor Imagery Combined With Electrical Stimulation on Plasticity of Corticospinal Excitability and Spinal Reciprocal Inhibition. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:149. [PMID: 30846928 PMCID: PMC6393385 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor imagery (MI) combined with electrical stimulation (ES) enhances upper-limb corticospinal excitability. However, its after-effects on both lower limb corticospinal excitability and spinal reciprocal inhibition remain unknown. We aimed to investigate the effects of MI combined with peripheral nerve ES (MI + ES) on the plasticity of lower limb corticospinal excitability and spinal reciprocal inhibition. Seventeen healthy individuals performed the following three tasks on different days, in a random order: (1) MI alone; (2) ES alone; and (3) MI + ES. The MI task consisted of repetitive right ankle dorsiflexion for 20 min. ES was percutaneously applied to the common peroneal nerve at a frequency of 100 Hz and intensity of 120% of the sensory threshold of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. We examined changes in motor-evoked potential (MEP) of the TA (task-related muscle) and soleus muscle (SOL; task-unrelated muscle). We also examined disynaptic reciprocal inhibition before, immediately after, and 10, 20, and 30 min after the task. MI + ES significantly increased TA MEPs immediately and 10 min after the task compared with baseline, but did not change the task-unrelated muscle (SOL) MEPs. MI + ES resulted in a significant increase in the magnitude of reciprocal inhibition immediately and 10 min after the task compared with baseline. MI and ES alone did not affect TA MEPs or reciprocal inhibition. MI combined with ES is effective in inducing plastic changes in lower limb corticospinal excitability and reciprocal Ia inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Takahashi
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Tokyo Bay Rehabilitation Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Michiyuki Kawakami
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomofumi Yamaguchi
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Physical Therapy, Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Yamagata, Japan
| | | | - Shigeo Tanabe
- Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | | | - Meigen Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Gómez-Soriano J, Serrano-Muñoz D, Bravo-Esteban E, Avendaño-Coy J, Ávila-Martin G, Galán-Arriero I, Taylor J. Afferent stimulation inhibits abnormal cutaneous reflex activity in patients with spinal cord injury spasticity syndrome. NeuroRehabilitation 2018; 43:135-146. [PMID: 30040758 DOI: 10.3233/nre-172404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tibialis Anterior (TA) cutaneous reflex (CR) activity evoked following cutaneous stimulation of the plantar (Pl) surface (Pl-TA CR) has demonstrated hyperreflexia and damage of inhibitory mechanisms in subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) and spasticity. OBJECTIVES To modulate Pl-TA CR and Soleus H-reflex activity with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and vibratory stimulation of the plantar pad during rest and controlled isometric plantarflexion. METHODS Non-injured subjects (n = 11) and individuals with incomplete SCI with (n = 14) and without spasticity (n = 14) were recruited. The effect of TENS and vibratory stimuli on Pl-TA CR and soleus H-reflex activity were assessed during rest and controlled ramp-and-hold plantarflexion. RESULTS Vibration failed to inhibit H-reflex activity during rest or plantarflexoin following SCI compared to healthy subjects. In contrast, vibration-induced inhibition of Pl-TA CR was specifically detected in SCI spastic subjects during both rest and the hold phase of plantarflexion. TENS inhibited Pl-TA CR activity in the SCI spasticity group only during hold plantarflexion. CONCLUSIONS Plantar vibratory stimuli inhibited the pl-TA CR, but not the H reflex, during rest and controlled movement in SCI spastic subjects. Assessment of Pl-TA CR modulation should contribute to the development of modality-specific sensory stimuli programmes for the neurorehabilitation of SCI spasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Gómez-Soriano
- Toledo Physiotherapy Research Group (GIFTO), Nursing and Physiotherapy School, Castilla La Mancha University, Toledo, Spain.,Sensorimotor Function Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, Toledo, Spain
| | - Diego Serrano-Muñoz
- Sensorimotor Function Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, Toledo, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Bravo-Esteban
- Toledo Physiotherapy Research Group (GIFTO), Nursing and Physiotherapy School, Castilla La Mancha University, Toledo, Spain
| | - Juan Avendaño-Coy
- Toledo Physiotherapy Research Group (GIFTO), Nursing and Physiotherapy School, Castilla La Mancha University, Toledo, Spain
| | - Gerardo Ávila-Martin
- Sensorimotor Function Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, Toledo, Spain
| | - Iriana Galán-Arriero
- Sensorimotor Function Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, Toledo, Spain
| | - Julian Taylor
- Sensorimotor Function Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, Toledo, Spain.,Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research, National Spinal Injuries Centre, Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust, NHS, Aylesbury, UK.,Harris Manchester College, Oxford University, UK
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Okuyama K, Ogura M, Kawakami M, Tsujimoto K, Okada K, Miwa K, Takahashi Y, Abe K, Tanabe S, Yamaguchi T, Liu M. Effect of the combination of motor imagery and electrical stimulation on upper extremity motor function in patients with chronic stroke: preliminary results. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2018; 11:1756286418804785. [PMID: 30327684 PMCID: PMC6178123 DOI: 10.1177/1756286418804785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The combination of motor imagery (MI) and afferent input with electrical stimulation (ES) enhances the excitability of the corticospinal tract compared with motor imagery alone or electrical stimulation alone. However, its therapeutic effect is unknown in patients with hemiparetic stroke. We performed a preliminary examination of the therapeutic effects of MI + ES on upper extremity (UE) motor function in patients with chronic stroke. Methods A total of 10 patients with chronic stroke demonstrating severe hemiparesis participated. The imagined task was extension of the affected finger. Peripheral nerve electrical stimulation was applied to the radial nerve at the spiral groove. MI + ES intervention was conducted for 10 days. UE motor function as assessed with the Fugl-Meyer assessment UE motor score (FMA-UE), the amount of the affected UE use in daily life as assessed with a Motor Activity Log (MAL-AOU), and the degree of hypertonia in flexor muscles as assessed with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) were evaluated before and after intervention. To assess the change in spinal neural circuits, reciprocal inhibition between forearm extensor and flexor muscles with the H reflex conditioning-test paradigm at interstimulus intervals (ISIs) of 0, 20, and 100 ms were measured before and after intervention. Results UE motor function, the amount of the affected UE use, and muscle hypertonia in flexor muscles were significantly improved after MI + ES intervention (FMA-UE: p < 0.01, MAL-AOU: p < 0.01, MAS: p = 0.02). Neurophysiologically, the intervention induced restoration of reciprocal inhibition from the forearm extensor to the flexor muscles (ISI at 0 ms: p = 0.03, ISI at 20 ms: p = 0.03, ISI at 100 ms: p = 0.01). Conclusion MI + ES intervention was effective for improving UE motor function in patients with severe paralysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Okuyama
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miho Ogura
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michiyuki Kawakami
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kengo Tsujimoto
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohsuke Okada
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuma Miwa
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Takahashi
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaoru Abe
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeo Tanabe
- Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Toyoake-shi, Aichi, Japan
| | - Tomofumi Yamaguchi
- Department of Physical Therapy, Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Meigen Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Impaired Ability to Suppress Excitability of Antagonist Motoneurons at Onset of Dorsiflexion in Adults with Cerebral Palsy. Neural Plast 2018; 2018:1265143. [PMID: 30402086 PMCID: PMC6198563 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1265143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently showed that impaired gait function in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) is associated with reduced rate of force development in ankle dorsiflexors. Here, we explore potential mechanisms. We investigated the suppression of antagonist excitability, calculated as the amount of soleus H-reflex depression at the onset of ankle dorsiflexion compared to rest, in 24 adults with CP (34.3 years, range 18–57; GMFCS 1.95, range 1–3) and 15 healthy, age-matched controls. Furthermore, the central common drive to dorsiflexor motoneurons during a static contraction in the two groups was examined by coherence analyses. The H-reflex was significantly reduced by 37% at the onset of dorsiflexion compared to rest in healthy adults (P < 0.001) but unchanged in adults with CP (P = 0.91). Also, the adults with CP had significantly less coherence. These findings suggest that the ability to suppress antagonist motoneuronal excitability at movement onset is impaired and that the central common drive during static contractions is reduced in adults with CP.
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Takahashi Y, Fujiwara T, Yamaguchi T, Matsunaga H, Kawakami M, Honaga K, Mizuno K, Liu M. Voluntary contraction enhances spinal reciprocal inhibition induced by patterned electrical stimulation in patients with stroke. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2018; 36:99-105. [PMID: 29439361 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-170759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reciprocal inhibition (RI) may be important for recovering locomotion after stroke. Patterned electrical stimulation (PES) can modulate RI in a manner that could be enhanced by voluntary muscle contraction (VC). OBJECTIVE To investigate whether VC enhances the PES-induced spinal RI in patients with stroke. METHODS Twelve patients with chronic stroke underwent three 20 min tasks, each on different days: (1) PES (10 pulses, 100 Hz every 2 s) applied to the common peroneal nerve; (2) VC consisting of isometric contraction of the affected-side tibialis anterior muscle; (3) PES combined with VC (PES + VC). RI from the tibialis anterior to the soleus muscle was assessed before, immediately after, and 10, 20, and 30 min after the task. RESULTS Compared to the baseline, PES + VC significantly increased the changes in reciprocal inhibition at immediately after and 10 min after the task. PES alone significantly increased this change immediately after the task, while VC alone showed no significant increase. CONCLUSION VC enhanced the PES-induced plastic changes in RI in patients with stroke. This effect can potentially increase the success rate of newer neurorehabilitative approaches in achieving functional recovery after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Takahashi
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Tokyo Bay Rehabilitation Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Fujiwara
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomofumi Yamaguchi
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Physical Therapy, Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Yamagata, Japan.,JSPS Overseas Research Fellow.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Michiyuki Kawakami
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaoru Honaga
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Tokyo Bay Rehabilitation Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Mizuno
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Meigen Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Activation of elbow extensors during passive stretch of flexors in patients with post-stroke spasticity. Clin Neurophysiol 2018; 129:2065-2074. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Temporal Indices of Ankle Clonus and Relationship to Electrophysiologic and Clinical Measures in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurol Phys Ther 2018; 41:229-238. [PMID: 28922314 DOI: 10.1097/npt.0000000000000197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Clonus arising from plantar flexor hyperreflexia is a phenomenon that is commonly observed in persons with spastic hypertonia. We assessed the temporal components of a biomechanical measure to quantify ankle clonus, and validated these in persons with spasticity due to spinal cord injury. METHODS In 40 individuals with chronic (>1 year) spinal cord injury, we elicited ankle clonus using a standardized mechanical perturbation (drop test). We examined reliability and construct validity of 2 components of the drop test: clonus duration (timed with a stopwatch) and number of oscillations in the first 10-second interval (measured via optical motion capture). We compared these measures to the Spinal Cord Assessment Tool for Spastic reflexes (SCATS) clonus score and H-reflex/M-wave (H/M) ratio, a clinical and electrophysiologic measure, respectively. RESULTS Intra- and interrater reliability of clonus duration measurement was good [intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC (2, 1) = 1.00]; test-retest reliability was good both at 1 hour [ICC (2, 2) = 0.99] and at 1 week [ICC (2, 2) = 0.99]. Clonus duration was moderately correlated with SCATS clonus score (r = 0.58). Number of oscillations had good within-session test-retest reliability [ICC (2, 1) > 0.90] and strong correlations with SCATS clonus score (r = 0.86) and soleus H/M ratio (r = 0.77). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Clonus duration and number of oscillations as measured with a standardized test are reliable and valid measures of plantar flexor hyperreflexia that are accessible for clinical use. Tools for objective measurement of ankle clonus are valuable for assessing effectiveness of interventions directed at normalizing reflex activity associated with spasticity.Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A179).
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Dornak T, Justanova M, Konvalinkova R, Muzik J, Hoskovcova M, Srp M, Riha M, Navratilova D, Otruba P, Gal O, Dusek L, Jech R, Bares M, Kanovsky P. Early manifestation of spasticity after first stroke in the territory of the internal carotid artery: A prospective multicenter study. Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub 2018; 162:319-323. [PMID: 29795545 DOI: 10.5507/bp.2018.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The main aim of this study was to provide an estimate of the incidence and prevalence of spasticity following stroke in the internal carotid artery territory for Regional Stroke Centers in the Czech Republic. A secondary goal was to identify predictors for the development of spasticity. METHODS In a prospective cohort study, 256 consecutive patients with clinical signs of central paresis due to a first-ever stroke were examined in the acute stage. All patients had primary stroke of carotid origin and paresis of the upper and/or lower limb for longer than 7 days after stroke onset. All were examined between 7-10 days after the stroke. We evaluated the degree and pattern of paresis, spasticity using the Modified Ashworth scale and the Barthel Index, baseline characteristics and demographic data. RESULTS Of 256 patients (157 males; mean age 69.9±12.4 years), 115 (44.9%) patients developed spasticity during the first 10 days after stroke onset. Eighty-three (32.5%) patients presented with mild neurological deficit (modified Rankin Scale 0 - 2) and 69 (27.0%) patients were bedridden. CONCLUSION Spasticity was noted in 44.9% patients with neurological deficit due to first-ever stroke in the carotid territory in the first 10 days after stroke onset. Severe spasticity was rare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Dornak
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Justanova
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University Brno and St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Romana Konvalinkova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Muzik
- Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Hoskovcova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Srp
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Riha
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Central Military Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela Navratilova
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Otruba
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Ota Gal
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Dusek
- Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Jech
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Bares
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University Brno and St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kanovsky
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Facilitation of antagonist motor output through short-latency sensory pathways during postnatal development in the mouse. Neurosci Lett 2018. [PMID: 29526514 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Reciprocal inhibition of motor neurons via Ia inhibitory interneurons recruited by stimulation of proprioceptive afferents supplying antagonist muscles has been well described. Changes in the efficacy of inhibition, and sometimes even a switch from inhibition to facilitation, have been reported in the literature after disruption of descending pathways. We sought to test whether such facilitation could be expressed in normal animals by evaluating the presence of facilitation in acute preparations from uninjured animals. Using an isolated spinal cord preparation from neonatal mice, changes in the monosynaptic stretch reflex response in knee flexor motor neurons (posterior biceps semitendinosus; PBST) were monitored following conditioning stimulation of proprioceptive sensory afferents in other muscle nerves. As expected for reciprocal inhibition, conditioning by stimulation of quadriceps (knee extensors and PBST antagonists) sensory afferents resulted in inhibition of the stretch reflex response. Facilitation, however, of the stretch reflex response by quadriceps conditioning stimulation was observed when the glycinergic reciprocal inhibitory pathway was blocked by application of strychnine. Facilitation was elicited by low-threshold proprioceptive afferents and occurred at latencies consistent with a disynaptic circuit. The magnitude of facilitation was larger at birth than at one week postnatal. Our results also suggest reciprocal facilitation is restricted to antagonist muscle pairs, as facilitation of PBST responses was not observed when conditioned with the obturator nerve supplying the adductor muscles. Overall, these data suggest the efficacy of facilitation is modulated during the first postnatal week, while the specificity of facilitation is already established by birth.
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Okuyama K, Kawakami M, Hiramoto M, Muraoka K, Fujiwara T, Liu M. Relationship between spasticity and spinal neural circuits in patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Exp Brain Res 2017; 236:207-213. [PMID: 29119209 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-017-5119-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Spasticity is a common problem in patients with stroke that contributes to motor dysfunction. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying spasticity are not fully understood. The purpose of the present study was to explain the relationship between features of spinal neural circuits assessed using electrophysiological techniques and the clinical manifestations of stroke. The participants were 71 patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke. To assess spinal neural circuits, Hmax/Mmax of the forearm flexor muscles and reciprocal inhibition (RI) between forearm extensor and flexor muscles with the H reflex conditioning-test paradigm were measured. The relationships between electrophysiological parameters and clinical variables (age, time from stroke onset, upper extremity functional scores, and spasticity) were then analyzed. It was found that the third phase of RI (RI-3) correlated with the modified Ashworth scores of the wrist and finger flexors. No other correlations were found between electrophysiological and clinical measures. These results suggest that RI-3 is associated with spasticity and may be helpful to understand the basis of post-stroke spasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Okuyama
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Michiyuki Kawakami
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
| | - Miho Hiramoto
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kaori Muraoka
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Fujiwara
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Meigen Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
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Leech KA, Kim HE, Hornby TG. Strategies to augment volitional and reflex function may improve locomotor capacity following incomplete spinal cord injury. J Neurophysiol 2017; 119:894-903. [PMID: 29093168 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00051.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Many studies highlight the remarkable plasticity demonstrated by spinal circuits following an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Such plasticity can contribute to improvements in volitional motor recovery, such as walking function, although similar mechanisms underlying this recovery may also contribute to the manifestation of exaggerated responses to afferent input, or spastic behaviors. Rehabilitation interventions directed toward augmenting spinal excitability have shown some initial success in improving locomotor function. However, the potential effects of these strategies on involuntary motor behaviors may be of concern. In this article, we provide a brief review of the mechanisms underlying recovery of volitional function and exaggerated reflexes, and the potential overlap between these changes. We then highlight findings from studies that explore changes in spinal excitability during volitional movement in controlled conditions, as well as altered kinematic and behavioral performance during functional tasks. The initial focus will be directed toward recovery of reflex and volitional behaviors following incomplete SCI, followed by recent work elucidating neurophysiological mechanisms underlying patterns of static and dynamic muscle activation following chronic incomplete SCI during primarily single-joint movements. We will then transition to studies of locomotor function and the role of altered spinal integration following incomplete SCI, including enhanced excitability of specific spinal circuits with physical and pharmacological interventions that can modulate locomotor output. The effects of previous and newly developed strategies will need to focus on changes in both volitional function and involuntary spastic reflexes for the successful translation of effective therapies to the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristan A Leech
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hyosub E Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of California at Berkeley , Berkeley, California
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Safarpour Y, Mousavi T, Jabbari B. Botulinum Toxin Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis-a Review. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2017; 19:33. [PMID: 28819801 DOI: 10.1007/s11940-017-0470-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of review The purpose of this review is to provide updated information on the role of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS). This review aims to answer which symptoms of multiple sclerosis may be amenable to BoNT therapy. Recent findings We searched the literature on the efficacy of BoNTs for treatment of MS symptoms up to April 1st 2017 via the Yale University Library's search engine including but not limited to Pub Med and Ovis SP. The level of efficacy was defined according to the assessment's criteria set forth by the Subcommittee on Guideline Development of the American Academy of Neurology. Significant efficacy was found for two indications based on the available blinded studies (class I and II) and has been suggested for several others through open-label clinical trials. Summary There is level A evidence (effective- two or more class I) that injection of BoNT-A into the bladder's detrusor muscle improves MS-related neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) and MS-related overactive (OA) bladder. There is level B evidence (probably effective- two class II studies) for utility of intramuscular BoNT-A injections for spasticity of multiple sclerosis. Emerging data based on retrospective class IV studies demonstrates that intramuscular injection of BoNTs may help other symptoms of MS such as focal tonic spasms, focal myokymia, spastic dysphagia, and double vision in internuclear ophthalmoplegia. There is no data on MS-related trigeminal neuralgia and sialorrhea, two conditions which have been shown to respond to BoNT therapy in non-MS population.
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Plantier V, Brocard F. [Calpain as a new therapeutic target for treating spasticity after a spinal cord injury]. Med Sci (Paris) 2017; 33:629-636. [PMID: 28990565 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/20173306020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
After a spinal cord injury (SCI), patients develop spasticity, a motor disorder characterized by hyperreflexia and stiffness of muscles. Spasticity results from alterations in motoneurons with an upregulation of their persistent sodium current (I NaP), simultaneously with a disinhibition caused by a reduction of expression of chloride (Cl-) co-transporters KCC2. Until recently the origin of alterations was unknown. After reviewing pathophysiology of spasticity, the manuscript relates our recent work showing a tight relationship between the calpain-dependent proteolysis of voltage-gated sodium channels, the upregulation of I NaP and spasticity following SCI. We also discuss KCC2 as a substrate of calpains which may contribute to the disinhibition of motoneurons below the lesion. This led us to consider the proteolytic cleavage of both sodium channels and KCC2 as the upstream mechanism contributing to the development of spasticity after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Plantier
- Équipe P3M, Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, UMR7289, Aix Marseille Université et Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Marseille, France
| | - Frédéric Brocard
- Équipe P3M, Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, UMR7289, Aix Marseille Université et Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Marseille, France
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Maupas E, Dyer JO, Melo SDA, Forget R. Patellar tendon vibration reduces the increased facilitation from quadriceps to soleus in post-stroke hemiparetic individuals. Ann Phys Rehabil Med 2017; 60:319-328. [PMID: 28528818 DOI: 10.1016/j.rehab.2017.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stimulation of the femoral nerve in healthy people can facilitate soleus H-reflex and electromyography (EMG) activity. In stroke patients, such facilitation of transmission in spinal pathways linking the quadriceps and soleus muscles is enhanced and related to co-activation of knee and ankle extensors while sitting and walking. Soleus H-reflex facilitation can be depressed by vibration of the quadriceps in healthy people, but the effects of such vibration have never been studied on the abnormal soleus facilitation observed in people after stroke. OBJECTIVES To determine whether vibration of the quadriceps can modify the enhanced heteronymous facilitation of the soleus muscle observed in people with spastic stroke after femoral nerve stimulation and compare post-vibration effects on soleus facilitation in control and stroke individuals. METHODS Modulation of voluntary soleus EMG activity induced by femoral nerve stimulation (2×motor threshold) was assessed before, during and after vibration of the patellar tendon in 10 healthy controls and 17 stroke participants. RESULTS Voluntary soleus EMG activity was facilitated by femoral nerve stimulation in 4/10 (40%) controls and 11/17 (65%) stroke participants. The level of facilitation was greater in the stroke than control group. Vibration significantly reduced early heteronymous facilitation in both groups (50% of pre-vibration values). However, the delay in recovery of soleus facilitation after vibration was shorter for the stroke than control group. The control condition with the vibrator turned off had no effect on the modulation. CONCLUSIONS Patellar tendon vibration can reduce the facilitation between knee and ankle extensors, which suggests effective presynaptic inhibition but decreased post-activation depression in the lower limb of people after chronic hemiparetic stroke. Further studies are warranted to determine whether such vibration could be used to reduce the abnormal extension synergy of knee and ankle extensors in people after hemiparetic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Maupas
- ASEI, centre Paul-Dottin, 31520 Ramonville-Saint-Agne, France; Laboratoire de physiologie de la posture et du mouvement PoM, université Champollion, 81000 Albi, France.
| | - Joseph-Omer Dyer
- Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation, institut de réadaptation Gingras-Lindsay de Montréal, CIUSSS du centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Québec, Canada; École de réadaptation, faculté de médecine, université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sibele de Andrade Melo
- Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation, institut de réadaptation Gingras-Lindsay de Montréal, CIUSSS du centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Québec, Canada; École de réadaptation, faculté de médecine, université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Robert Forget
- Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation, institut de réadaptation Gingras-Lindsay de Montréal, CIUSSS du centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Québec, Canada; École de réadaptation, faculté de médecine, université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Wei TS, Liu PT, Chang LW, Liu SY. Gait asymmetry, ankle spasticity, and depression as independent predictors of falls in ambulatory stroke patients. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177136. [PMID: 28542281 PMCID: PMC5441600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Falls are the leading cause of injury in stroke patients. However, the cause of a fall is complicated, and several types of risk factors are involved. Therefore, a comprehensive model to predict falls with high sensitivity and specificity is needed. METHODS This study was a prospective study of 112 inpatients in a rehabilitation ward with follow-up interviews in patients' homes. Evaluations were performed 1 month after stroke and included the following factors: (1) status of cognition, depression, fear of fall and limb spasticity; (2) functional assessments [walking velocity and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM)]; and (3) objective, computerized gait and balance analyses. The outcome variable was the number of accidental falls during the 6-month follow-up period after baseline measurements. RESULTS The non-faller group exhibited significantly better walking velocity and FIM scale compared to the faller group (P < .001). The faller group exhibited higher levels of spasticity in the affected limbs, asymmetry of gait parameters in single support (P < .001), double support (P = .027), and step time (P = .003), and lower stability of center of gravity in the medial-lateral direction (P = .008). Psychological assessments revealed that the faller group exhibited more severe depression and lower confidence without falling. A multivariate logistic regression model identified three independent predictors of falls with high sensitivity (82.6%) and specificity (86.5%): the asymmetry ratio of single support [adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 2.2, 95% CI (1.2-3.8)], the level of spasticity in the gastrocnemius [aOR = 3.2 (1.4-7.3)], and the degree of depression [aOR = 1.4 (1.2-1.8)]. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed depression, in additional to gait asymmetry and spasticity, as another independent factor for predicting falls. These results suggest that appropriate gait training, reduction of ankle spasticity, and aggressive management of depression may be critical to prevent falls in stroke patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ta-Sen Wei
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Colleges of Engineering and Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation & Fall Prevention Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Peng-Ta Liu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation & Fall Prevention Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Wey Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Colleges of Engineering and Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sen-Yung Liu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation & Fall Prevention Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
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Alcan V, Canal MR, Zinnuroğlu M. Using fuzzy logic for diagnosis and classification of spasticity. Turk J Med Sci 2017; 47:148-160. [PMID: 28263483 DOI: 10.3906/sag-1512-65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Spasticity is generally defined as a sensory-motor control disorder. However, there is no pathophysiological mechanism or appropriate measurement and evaluation standards that can explain all aspects of a possible spasticity occurrence. The objective of this study is to develop a fuzzy logic classifier (FLC) diagnosis system, in which a quantitative evaluation is performed by surface electromyography (EMG), and investigate underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of spasticity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Surface EMG signals recorded from the tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius muscles of hemiplegic patients with spasticity and a healthy control group were analyzed in standing, resting, dorsal flexion, and plantar flexion positions. The signals were processed with different methods: by using their amplitudes in the time domain, by applying short-time Fourier transform, and by applying wavelet transform. A Mamdani-type multiple-input, single-output FLC with 64 rules was developed to analyze EMG signals. RESULTS The wavelet transform provided better positive findings among all three methods used in this study. The FLC test results showed that the test was 100% sensitive to identify spasticity with 95.8% accuracy and 93.8% specificity. CONCLUSION A FLC was successfully designed to detect and identify spasticity in spite of existing measurement difficulties in its nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veysel Alcan
- Department of Electricity-Electronics Technology, Ministry of National Education, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Rahmi Canal
- Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Murat Zinnuroğlu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
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