Comparison of Electric Stimulation Methods for Reduction of Triceps Surae Spasticity in Spinal Cord Injury

Salm van der, Arjan and Veltink, Peter H. and IJzerman, Maarten J. and Groothuis-Oudshoorn, Karin C. and Nene, Anand V. and Hermens, Hermie J. (2006) Comparison of Electric Stimulation Methods for Reduction of Triceps Surae Spasticity in Spinal Cord Injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 87 (2). pp. 222-228. ISSN 0003-9993

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Abstract:	Objectives: To compare the effect of 3 methods of electric stimulation to reduce spasticity of the triceps surae in patients with complete spinal cord injury (SCI) and to investigate the carryover effect. - Design: Placebo-controlled study with repeated measurements after the interventions. - Setting: Research department affiliated with a rehabilitation hospital in the Netherlands. - Participants: Ten patients with a complete SCI were recruited from the outpatient population of the rehabilitation hospital. All subjects had American Spinal Injury Association grade A impairment scores, except for one, who had grade C. The patients had no voluntary triceps surae contractibility. - Interventions: Forty-five minutes of cyclic electric stimulation of the agonist, antagonist, or dermatome of the triceps surae or a placebo approach. - Main Outcome Measures: Outcome measures were the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), clonus score, and the H-reflex and M wave (H/M) ratio. The electromyographic response to a stretch of the soleus over the whole range of motion was also determined. The magnitude and ankle angle at which the electromyographic response started were calculated. - Results: Stimulation of the agonist provided a significant reduction in the MAS compared with the placebo approach (P<.001). There was no significant change in the H/M ratio or the electromyographic response amplitude after any of the stimulation methods, whereas stimulation of the antagonist muscle resulted in a significant reduction in the ankle angle at which the electromyographic response started, compared with the placebo approach (P<.037). - Conclusions: Triceps surae stimulation reduces the MAS for that specific muscle, whereas the angle at which the reflex starts changes after antagonist stimulation.
Item Type:	Article
Copyright:	© 2006 Elsevier Science
Faculty:	Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) Management and Governance (SMG)
Research Group:	Biomedical Signals and Systems (BSS) Health Technology & Services Research (HTSR)
Link to this item:	http://purl.utwente.nl/publications/61434
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2005.09.024
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