Abdominal electric stimulation facilitates penile vibratory stimulation for ejaculation after spinal cord injury: a single-subject trial

OBJECTIVE: To compare the success rate of penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) alone with PVS and abdominal electric stimulation (AES). DESIGN: Single-subject trials. SETTING: Outpatient. PARTICIPANT: Man with chronic T3 complete (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade A) spinal cord injury. Spasticity, Babinski response, anal wink, and bulbocavernosus reflexes were all present. INTERVENTION: Stimulation was presented to the frenulum using a Ferti Care Personal vibrator set at maximal settings (frequency, 110 Hz; amplitude, 3.55 mm). AES was applied to the abdomen using a commercially available muscle stimulator at maximal stimulus intensity and duration settings. Trials were randomized to PVS only or PVS plus AES. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence or absence of ejaculation, and time to ejaculation. RESULTS: Only 4 of 30 trials were positive with PVS alone, while 31 of 34 trials were positive with PVS plus AES. Additionally, 17 of 26 PVS trials, which were initially negative with PVS alone, were then positive with the addition of AES. This represents a clinically relevant improvement with use of AES. Time to ejaculation for positive trials with either technique was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: AES significantly lowered the threshold for ejaculation elicited with vibratory stimulation and increased the success rate over that when PVS alone was used.     

Effects of vibratory stimulation on sexual response in women with spinal cord injury

Women with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) have predictable alterations in sexual responses. They commonly have a decreased ability to achieve genital sexual arousal. This study determined whether the use of vibratory stimulation would result in increased genital arousal as measured by vaginal pulse amplitude in women with SCIs. Subjects included 46 women with SCIs and 11 nondisabled control subjects. Results revealed vibratory clitoral stimulation resulted in increased vaginal pulse amplitude as compared with manual clitoral stimulation in both SCI and nondisabled subjects; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Subjective levels of arousal were also compared between SCI and nondisabled control subjects. Both vibratory and manual clitoral stimulation resulted in significantly increased arousal levels in both groups of subjects; however, statistically significant differences between the two conditions were only noted in nondisabled subjects. Further studies of the effects of repetitive vibratory stimulation are underway.     

Electrical stimulation in treating spasticity resulting from spinal cord injury

To study the efficacy of electrical stimulation in treating spasticity of six spinal cord injured patients, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was applied to the dermatomes belonging to the same spinal cord level as the selected spastic muscle group. Spasticity was assessed in knee extensors by a pendulum test in which the knee joint angle of a swinging lower leg was recorded with an electrogoniometer. TENS was found to produce a noticeable decrease of spasticity in three of the patients, but had little effect on the others.     

重复经颅磁刺激对不完全性脊髓损伤患者痉挛的影响

目的:观察高频重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)对不完全性脊髓损伤(SCI)患者双下肢痉挛的影响。方法:对18例不完全性SCI患者作为SCI组,另取7例健康正常人作为正常组。给予SCI组进行rTMS治疗,采用"8"字形线圈rTMS刺激不完全性SCI患者(M1区),刺激强度为90%的RMT,刺激频率10Hz,共4周。观察其对患者下肢改良Ashworth痉挛评分(MAS)的影响,同时观察rTMS刺激治疗前后患者下肢F波的出现率、潜伏时(F-lat)、H反射潜伏时(H-lat)、H反射以及M波最大波幅比值(Hmax/Mmax值)等电生理指标的变化,同时与正常组做比较。结果:治疗后,SCI组下肢MAS分级较治疗前明显改善(P0.05);SCI组治疗前F波和H反射潜伏时较正常组明显延长(P0.05),Hmax/Mmax值较正常组增高(P0.05);治疗后F波的平均潜伏时较治疗前减少(P0.05),H反射潜伏时无显著差异,Hmax/Mmax值降低(P0.05);SCI组F波出现率在治疗前后无差异性变化,Hmax/Mmax值和MAS之间无明显相关性。结论:rTMS治疗前后SCI患者的电生理和MAS指标变化,提示高频rTMS对治疗不完全性脊髓损伤患者下肢痉挛有一定的缓解作用,值得进一步的研究。     

直肠电刺激缓解脊髓损伤后痉挛状态的机理

目的：研究直肠电刺激（ＲＰＥＳ）缓解脊髓损伤（ＳＣＩ）后痉挛状态的作用机理。方法：１０例ＳＣＩ后痉挛患者和１０例偏瘫后痉挛患者,在ＲＰＥＳ治疗和口服Ｂａｃｌｏｆｅｎ前后进行康复评分和电生理指标测定,包括Ｆ波,屈肌反射,Ｈ反射,Ｔ反射。结果：ＳＣＩ患者经ＲＰＥＳ治疗后,下肢康复评分显著降低（Ｐ＜０．００１）,Ｆ波振幅、时程、Ｆ／Ｍ比显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）,屈肌反射振幅、时程显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０１）,Ｂａｃｌｏｆｅｎ治疗后,康复评分显著降低,Ｆ波振幅、时程、Ｆ／Ｍ比显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）。偏瘫患者患侧下肢康复评分和电生理指标均无显著变化。结论：ＲＰＥＳ对降低ＳＣＩ后痉挛状态有较好的疗效,主要作用部位在脊髓节段,作用机理与降低α运动神经元活性和一般中间神经元活性有关,而与γ运动神经元及Ｒｅｎｓｈａｗ细胞活性无关。其解痉作用可能部分与γ氨基丁酸相关,但仍有其它神经介质参与。     

Infertility in men with spinal cord injury

Infertility is a significant and frustrating problem for many men after spinal cord injury. The two major causes are poor semen quality and ejaculatory dysfunction. Factors attributed to poor semen quality include stasis of prostatic fluid, testicular hyperthermia, recurrent urinary tract infections, abnormal testicular histology, possible changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, possible sperm antibodies, chronic long-term use of various medications, and type of bladder management. Further work is needed to define the impact and importance of each of these factors. Ejaculations are reported to occur in only 5% of men with spinal cord injury (SCI) who have complete upper motor lesions and 18% of those who have complete lower motor lesions. Ejaculations occur in up to 70% of men with incomplete lesions. Methods that have been used to induce an ejaculate include intrathecal neostigmine, subcutaneous physostigmine, direct aspiration of sperm from the vas deferens, vibratory stimulation, electroejaculation, and direct stimulation of the hypogastric nerve. The most commonly used methods in the United States are electroejaculation and vibratory stimulation; using these two methods, ejaculates can be obtained up to 85% and 59% of the time, respectively. Each of these methods has advantages and disadvantages. Particular care needs to be given to monitoring men undergoing these procedures who are prone to autonomic dysreflexia. The future outlook is encouraging once improved technology for obtaining semen and various methods to assist reproduction, such as in vitro fertilization, are available.     

Antispastic effect of penile vibration in men with spinal cord lesion

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possible antispastic effect of penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) in men with spinal cord lesion (SCL). DESIGN: Unblinded, before-after trial. SETTING: Ambulatory care. PARTICIPANTS: Nine men with SCLs from C2 to T8 were randomly allocated into 2 groups. INTERVENTION: Twenty-four hours of electromyographic recordings from the quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscles were taken, followed by PVS or no treatment and another 24 hours of electromyographic recordings. The presence of electromyographic activity of an amplitude 4 times the baseline, with a duration of more than 5 seconds, was taken to signify a spasm. The number of spasms per hour was calculated before and after PVS and no treatment. Spasticity was evaluated by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Reduction in spasticity and spasms. RESULTS: The electromyographic data showed a significant reduction in the frequency of leg spasms up to 3 hours (P<.05). Significantly decreased spasticity, as evaluated by MAS, was found immediately after vibration (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: PVS may be useful as an antispastic therapy.     

重复经颅磁刺激对脊髓损伤大鼠痉挛状态及BDNF-TrkB信号通路的影响

摘要 目的：探讨重复经颅磁刺激（rTMS）对脊髓损伤（SCI）大鼠痉挛状态的影响,探讨rTMS对痉挛的作用与脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）-酪氨酸激酶受体B（TrkB）信号通路的关系。 方法：研究分为A、B、C三部分。分别有18只、30只、15只雌性SD大鼠,共63只。A、B部分的大鼠均随机分为假手术组（Sham组）、SCI组和SCI+rTMS组。C部分的大鼠随机分为SCI组、SCI+rTMS组、SCI+rTMS+K252a组。SCI制模1周后对rTMS治疗组进行为期4周的干预。A部分每组大鼠干预前后使用H反射（Hmax/Mmax比值）评估大鼠后肢的痉挛状态,BBB评分连续每周评估运动功能。B部分在实验结束后采用Western Blot和免疫荧光检测各组大鼠皮质、脊髓损伤临近部位以及腰骶部BDNF、TrkB和KCC2的表达。C部分在SCI制模后1周,使用K252a阻断SCI+rTMS+K252a组的BDNF-TrkB信号通路,在4周rTMS治疗期间,用BBB评分评估大鼠后肢运动,实验结束后采用Western Blot检测KCC2的表达。 结果：①A部分：SCI后2—5周,SCI+rTMS组BBB评分明显大于SCI组（P＜0.05）。SCI后第5周,SCI+rTMS组痉挛大鼠Hmax/Mmax明显低于SCI组（P＜0.05）,两组大鼠RDD差异无显著性意义（P＞0.05）。②B部分：Western Blot和免疫荧光显示,SCI 5周后,SCI+rTMS组皮质部位、脊髓损伤临近部位以及腰骶部脊髓BDNF、TrkB和KCC2的表达量较SCI组均明显增加（P＜0.05）。③C部分：SCI后第2—5周,SCI+rTMS+K252a组BBB评分明显小于SCI+rTMS组（P＜0.05）。Western Blot显示,SCI后第5周,SCI+rTMS+K252a组各部位KCC2的表达量明显小于SCI+rTMS组（P＜0.05）。结论：rTMS可改善SCI大鼠的痉挛状态和运动功能,该过程与BDNF、TrkB和KCC2含量增加有关,rTMS缓解SCI后痉挛的机制可能与BDNF-TrkB-KCC2信号通路相关。     

Epidemiology of spasticity following traumatic spinal cord injury

Two epidemiologic studies of spasticity at discharge and first annual follow-up in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) are reported. Study 1 analyzed occurrence of spasticity and its severity for 96 subjects at one SCI center, with 67% of subjects developing spasticity by discharge and 37% receiving antispasticity medication. By follow-up, these figures were 78% and 49%, respectively. Incidence of spasticity was higher among cervical and upper thoracic than lower thoracic and lumbosacral levels of injury groups (p less than 0.001). Study 2 analyzed presence of spasticity severe enough to have warranted treatment on 466 subjects at 13 collaborating SCI centers, where 26% of subjects received treatment by discharge and 46% by follow-up. Probability of spasticity treatment was significantly related (p less than 0.05) to days from injury to discharge and level of injury group, whereas age, gender, and Frankel grade were not related. Among only cervical and upper thoracic subjects, Frankel grade was significantly related (p less than 0.01), with grades A (27%) and D (29%) being less frequently treated than grades B (50%) and C (52%). Importance of controlling the above significantly related factors is emphasized for future studies of methods to reduce incidence or severity of spasticity.     

Comparison of electric stimulation methods for reduction of triceps surae spasticity in spinal cord injury

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.     

局部振动治疗对脊髓损伤患者下肢痉挛及自理能力的疗效分析

目的：观察局部振动治疗对脊髓损伤患者下肢肌张力及日常生活能力的影响。方法：将64例脊髓损伤患者随机分为观察组和对照组各32例。对照组患者仅进行系统康复训练,观察组患者在接受系统康复训练的基础上给予双下肢振动治疗。治疗前后采用改良Ashworth量表（MAS）和改良Barthel指数(MBI)量表对2组患者痉挛程度及日常生活活动能力进行评定。结果：治疗后,2组MAS评分均较治疗前明显降低（P<0.05）,但观察组降低更加显著（P<0.05）;2组MBI评分亦较治疗前明显提高（P<0.05）,但2组间比较差异无统计学意义。结论：振动治疗可改善脊髓损伤患者肌痉挛,但对患者日常生活活动能力及转移能力改善证据不足。     

Insulin growth factors may explain relationship between spasticity and skeletal muscle size in men with spinal cord injury

The major objectives of this cross-sectional study were to (1) measure insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in individuals with complete spinal cord injury (SCI) and spasticity and (2) determine the relationships between IGF-1 and cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of thigh skeletal muscle groups. Eight individuals with motor complete SCI underwent magnetic resonance imaging to measure the CSA of the whole thigh, knee extensor, and knee flexor skeletal muscle groups and dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry to measure fat-free mass. After participants fasted for 12 h, we measured their IGF-1 levels and determined spasticity using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Spearman rho correlations were used to test for the relationships among the tested variables, and independent t-tests were used to determine the difference in plasma IGF-1. Plasma IGF-1 was 44% greater in those with MAS scores of 2 or higher (p < 0.05). Plasma IGF-1 was positively related to knee extensor skeletal muscle CSA (r = 0. 83, p < 0.01). IGF-1 was strongly related to knee extensor and flexor spasticity (r = 0.88, p < 0.004). The findings suggest that IGF-1 is greater in SCI individuals with increased spasticity, and this may explain the strong positive relationships that were noted between spasticity and skeletal muscle CSA.     

Management of spasticity in spinal cord injury: nursing concerns

Nursing diagnoses are proposed for the management of spasticity in the spinal cord-injured person. The diagnoses, pain and self-care deficit related to spasticity, can guide independent nursing management to reduce nociceptive stimulation and increase self-management of spasticity in spinal cord injury. The Gate Control Theory helps to explain alpha muscle susceptibility to nociceptive stimulation and offers rationale underlying nursing management of spasticity. The Modified Ashworth Scale is used to define, measure and evaluate the effectiveness of management of spasticity. Independent nursing management provides the foundation for spasticity intervention. Other interdisciplinary team interventions, including therapist intervention, pharmacological intervention and invasive procedures supplement the nursing management framework.     

Lower extremity manifestations of spasticity in chronic spinal cord injury

The prevalence of various manifestations of spasticity from questionnaire responses and from clinical examination of chronic spinal cord injured patients is reported. Extensor spasms, flexor withdrawal spasms, and clonus were reported by most subjects. Those with incomplete lesions reported more interference with activities, more pain, and less functional usefulness, than did those with complete lesions. Extensor spasms were reported to interfere more with transfers, whereas flexor withdrawal spasms were reported to be more frequent at night and to interfere more with sleep. Increased muscle tone was observed more often in extensor than in flexor muscles. Those with incomplete lesions had more hypertonus and more limited passive joint movements than did those with complete lesions. Flexor withdrawal reactions and extensor spasms were also more pronounced in those with incomplete lesions, particularly those with Frankel grade C lesions.     

Functional neuromuscular stimulation in spinal cord injury

With recent advances in clinical medicine and biomedical engineering, functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) can now be added to the psychiatric armamentarium to decrease the debilitating effects of traumatic spinal cord injury. In this article, the components of FNS systems and their evolution in design are presented. The clinical implications of FNS are discussed with respect to upper and lower extremities and bladder applications, and perspectives on future developments and directions are reviewed.