Interdisciplinary consensus on the use of high-intensity magnetic stimulation in the treatment of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction manifested by anal incontinence

[Electromagnetic stimulation in diaphragm dysfunction: repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation as a method of choice during the rehabilitation period after stroke. (Literature review)]

Diaphragm dysfunction develops in central nervous system damage, chest injuries, complications of cardiac surgery, long-term artificial lung ventilation, respiratory diseases. Anatomical morphological features of phrenic nerves allow to effectively use electromagnetic stimulation methods for functional recovery of the diaphragm in different pathological conditions. Invasive and non-invasive, electric and magnetic methods of stimulation are used depending on the severity of manifestations of the diaphragm dysfunction and its genesis.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a review and comparison of modern methods of electromagnetic stimulation of the diaphragm; to determine the role of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) in the diaphragm dysfunction as a result of stroke.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An analysis of publications from the Pubmed and Elibrary databases for 2008-2024 years was conducted. The search was done by the following keywords: diaphragm dysfunction, repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation of phrenic nerve, stroke, hemiparesis.

RESULTS

There is a real possibility of effective diaphragm stimulation for recovery of its function due to the innervation of the diaphragm strictly by the phrenic nerves, their large diameter, presence of myelinated fibers as well as anatomical location of the phrenic nerves. Direct electric stimulation of the phrenic nerve is usually applied in the case of long-term continuous support of respiratory function. Non-invasive techniques of electric or magnetic stimulation of the phrenic nerve or directly of the diaphragmatic muscle are used in the case of temporary respiratory support or recovery of diaphragm function. The motor neurons of the brain and peripheral nerves are activated, thus a peak strength of the variable magnetic field usually reachs 1-2 T in rPMS. Application of rPMS affects the efferent nerve fibers, causing muscle contractions, and activates sensory afferent fibers, creating a stimulating effect on the superjacent nervous structures. It is advisable to use rPMS of the phrenic nerve in the cervical segment or rPMS of one of the segments of the diaphragmatic muscle in the case of unilateral diaphragm lesion during the recovery period after stroke. It is important to consider the frequency of exposure in the 10-30 Hz range, the closest location of the coil to the stimulation area, the choice of the coil shape depending on the localization when adjusting parameters of rPMS.

CONCLUSION

The use of rPMS of the phrenic nerve and diaphragm allows to preserve and recover motor and contractile functions of the diaphragm in different pathological conditions, including its unilateral lesion as a result of stroke. The method of rPMS of the phrenic nerves has a number of advantages over electric stimulation and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, since it allows to achieve an effective motor response with less intensity of exposure, is painless and non-contact, better tolerated by patients.

Complex neurophysiological algorithm for pudendal nerve neuropathy for descending perineum syndrome

Aim: to improve diagnostics for descending perineum syndrome.

Patients and Methods: the prospective cohort study included 127 patients (85 (66.9%) — females), aged 49.9 ± 14.4 years with descending perineum syndrome. All patients had proctogenic constipation, anal incontinence and/or chronic neurogenic pelvic pain. All patients underwent a neurophysiological examination according to the original complex pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) method — neurophysiological protocol for detection of the pelvic floor muscles innervation disorders.

Results: the latency of the M-response of the pudendal nerve increased on at least one side in 85 (66.9%) patients (50 women and 35 men). The use of a new complex neurophysiological diagnostic protocol made it possible to identify signs of pudendal neuropathy in 29.9% of patients. The incidence of neuropathy in patients with clinically significant perineal prolapse syndrome was 96.5% in females and 97.6% in males.

Conclusion: the new complex neurophysiological diagnostic algorithm made it possible to identify disorders of innervation along the efferent pathway in the Alcock’s canal and distally in 85 (66.9%) cases, along the efferent pathway proximal to the Alcock’s canal — in 23 (18.1%); a combination of efferent and afferent disturbances occurred in 15 (11.8%).