Modification of spasticity by transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury

Context/objective

To examine the effects of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) on lower-limb spasticity.

Design

Interventional pilot study to produce preliminary data.

Setting

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria.

Participants

Three subjects with chronic motor-incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) who could walk ≥10 m.

Interventions

Two interconnected stimulating skin electrodes (Ø 5 cm) were placed paraspinally at the T11/T12 vertebral levels, and two rectangular electrodes (8 × 13 cm) on the abdomen for the reference. Biphasic 2 ms-width pulses were delivered at 50 Hz for 30 minutes at intensities producing paraesthesias but no motor responses in the lower limbs.

Outcome measures

The Wartenberg pendulum test and neurological recordings of surface-electromyography (EMG) were used to assess effects on exaggerated reflex excitability. Non-functional co-activation during volitional movement was evaluated. The timed 10-m walk test provided measures of clinical function.

Results

The index of spasticity derived from the pendulum test changed from 0.8 ± 0.4 pre- to 0.9 ± 0.3 post-stimulation, with an improvement in the subject with the lowest pre-stimulation index. Exaggerated reflex responsiveness was decreased after tSCS across all subjects, with the most profound effect on passive lower-limb movement (pre- to post-tSCS EMG ratio: 0.2 ± 0.1), as was non-functional co-activation during voluntary movement. Gait speed values increased in two subjects by 39%.

Conclusion

These preliminary results suggest that tSCS, similar to epidurally delivered stimulation, may be used for spasticity control, without negatively impacting residual motor control in incomplete SCI. Further study in a larger population is warranted.     

Weight gain following spinal cord injury: a pilot study

Study design

Retrospective chart review.

Objective

To define the temporal course of weight gain in persons with new spinal cord injury (SCI), and to identify predictors of weight gain in this population.

Setting

A United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) SCI Unit.

Methods

A retrospective chart review in a VA SCI Unit was conducted. Participants (n = 85) included all persons with new SCI completing initial rehabilitation at the center between 1998 and 2006. Outcome measures were mean change in body mass index (BMI) between rehabilitation admission and final follow-up, time of greatest BMI change, and distribution of participants by BMI classification. These measures were also examined relative to SCI level, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade, primary mode of mobility, and age at rehabilitation admission.

Results

Mean BMI increased by 2.3 kg/m² between rehabilitation admission (mean 45 days post-injury) and final follow-up (mean 5 years post-injury). The distribution of participants shifted from lower BMI classifications at rehabilitation admission to higher BMI classifications at final follow-up. For participants transitioning from normal to overweight or obese, the greatest increase occurred during the first year after acute rehabilitation. Neurological level, impairment category, primary mode of mobility, and age at rehabilitation admission did not significantly predict BMI change. BMI at rehabilitation admission correlated significantly with BMI at final follow-up (P < 0.0005).

Conclusions

These findings confirm a significant increase in BMI after new SCI and suggest that persons with new SCI are at greatest weight gain risk during the first year following acute rehabilitation.     

Trunk strength and function using the multidirectional reach distance in individuals with non-traumatic spinal cord injury

Context

Trunk control is essential to engage in activities of daily living. Measuring trunk strength and function in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) is difficult. Trunk function has not been studied in non-traumatic SCI (NTSCI).

Objectives

To characterize changes in trunk strength and seated functional reach in individuals with NTSCI during inpatient rehabilitation. To determine if trunk strength and seated reach differ between walkers and wheelchair users. To explore relationships between trunk and hip strength and seated functional reach.

Design

Observational study.

Setting

Two SCI rehabilitation facilities.

Participants

32 subacute inpatients (mean age 48.0 ± 15.4 years).

Outcome measures

Isometric strength of trunk and hip and function (Multidirectional Reach Test: MDRT) were assessed at admission and within 2 weeks of discharge. Analysis of variance was conducted for admission measures (MDRT, hip and trunk strength) between walkers and wheelchair users. Changes in MDRT, hip and trunk strength were evaluated using parametric and non-parametric statistics. The level of association between changes in values of MRDT and strength was also examined.

Results

Significant differences between walkers and wheelchair users were found for strength measures (P < 0.05) but not for MDRT. Left- and right-sided reaches increased in wheelchair users only (P < 0.05). Associations between changes in hip strength, trunk strength, and reach distance were found (R = 0.67–0.73).

Conclusion

In clinical settings, it is feasible and relevant to assess trunk, hip strength, and MRDT. Future studies require strategies to increase the number of participants assessed, in order to inform clinicians about relevant rehabilitation interventions.     

The comparison of recovery patterns between ischemic spinal cord injury and traumatic spinal cord injury from acute to chronic phase

Objective: To investigate the neurological and functional recovery patterns of ischemic spinal cord injury (ISCI) compared with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in the acute to chronic phase.Design: Retrospective cohort study.Settings: Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Rehabilitation Medicine at a tertiary hospital.Participants: Fifty-four patients with ISCI and 86 patients with TSCI.Interventions: Not applicable.Outcome measures: MRI findings, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Korean Spinal Cord Independence Measure (KSCIM), ambulatory status, and bladder status were reviewed. The functional outcomes were measured at admission, discharge, and >6 months after discharge.Results: AIS classification did not significantly change after 6 months in both ISCI and TSCI groups. Between admission and discharge, the proportion of patients needing a wheelchair or assistive device to ambulate decreased more in the ISCI group compared with the TSCI group [odds ratio (OR) 0.40, P = 0.04]. In addition, the proportion of catheterized voiding in the ISCI group was significantly higher than in the TSCI group at all time points (OR 5.12, P < 0.001). Lastly, both groups showed that functional improvement was the greatest between admission and discharge. In addition, the proportion of catheterized voiding decreased (Diff = −0.12, P = 0.019) and mRS score decreased (Diff=−0.48, P < 0.001) significantly in the ISCI group at >6 months post discharge.Conclusion: The ISCI group showed better recovery of mobility during inpatient rehabilitation period and worse recovery of bladder function as demonstrated by higher number of patients requiring bladder catheterization at all time points when compared with the TSCI group.     

Changes in spasticity following functional electrical stimulation cycling in patients with spinal cord injury: A systematic review

Context: Spasticity is one of the most common secondary impairment after spinal cord injury (SCI). It can lead to an increase in the level of disability. The functional electrical stimulation cycling (FES-cycling) promotes recovery in patients with SCI. No systematic review has been published examining the influence of FES-cycling on the spasticity of lower extremities post-SCI.Objective: This review aimed to investigate the effects of the FES-cycling on the lower extremities spasticity in patients with SCI.Methods: PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, REHABDATA, Web of Science, and MEDLINE were searched until December 2019. The methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale.Results: Ten studies were met the inclusion criteria. Two were randomized clinical trials, cohort study (n = 2), and pilot study (n=6). The scores on the PEDro scale ranged from one to nine, with a median score of three. The results showed evidence for the beneficial effects of FES-cycling on the spasticity of lower extremities in individuals with SCI.Conclusion: The FES-cycling intervention may reduce the lower extremities spasticity in patients with various injury levels of SCI. It is not a suitable intervention for medically unstable patients or with contraindication for lower extremities movement. Further randomized controlled trials with a large sample size strongly warranted to confirm our findings.     

胶质细胞源性神经营养因子对大鼠脊髓损伤后运动功能的影响

目的:研究胶质细胞源性神经营养因子（GDNF）对大鼠脊髓损伤后后肢运动功能恢复的影响。方法:采用改良Nystr(?)m法后路压迫大鼠胸段脊髓造成损伤模型,经蛛网膜下腔置管局部连续给予NGF （10μg/d）或GDNF（10μg/d）1周,对照组给予生理盐水。伤后4周3组分别观测:①伤段脊髓残存组织面积;②采用斜板试验和运动功能评分观察大鼠后肢运动功能恢复情况。结果:大鼠脊髓损伤后4～14d,GDNF治疗组后肢运动功能评分明显高于NGF组和生理盐水对照组（P<0.05）。伤后28d GDNF组伤段残存脊髓组织面积大于对照组和NGF组（P<0.01）。结论:外源性GDNF能减少脊髓损伤后伤区的坏死、萎缩并促进大鼠后肢运动功能的早期恢复。     

Effect of acute intermittent hypoxia treatment on ventilatory load compensation and magnitude estimation of inspiratory resistive loads in an individual with chronic incomplete cervical spinal cord injury

Context

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes disruption of the efferent input to and afferent input from respiratory muscles, which impairs respiratory motor and sensory functions, respectively. This disturbs the injured individual''s ability to respond to ventilatory loads and may alter the respiratory perceptual sensitivity of applied loads. Acute intermittent hypoxia with elevated CO₂ (AIH treatment) has been shown to induce ventilatory long-term facilitation in individuals with chronic SCI. This study evaluated the effect of ten days of AIH treatment on ventilatory load compensation and respiratory perceptual sensitivity to inspiratory resistive loads (IRL), in an individual with chronic, incomplete cervical SCI.

Methods

Case report and literature review.

Findings

We report a case of a 55-year-old female with a C4 chronic, incomplete SCI (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale D). The subject underwent evaluation at four time-points: Baseline, Post Sham, AIH Day 1 and AIH Day 10. Significant improvements in airflow generated in response to applied IRL were found after AIH treatment compared to Baseline. There were no significant changes in the respiratory perceptual sensitivity to applied IRL after AIH treatment.

Clinical relevance

Rehabilitative interventions after SCI demand restoration of the respiratory motor function. However, they must also ensure that the respiratory perceptual sensitivity of the injured individual does not hinder their capability to compensate to ventilatory challenges.     

慢性脊髓损伤患者与闲暇时间身体活动

身体活动对于脊髓损伤患者的身体健康非常有益。闲暇时间身体活动是指脊髓损伤患者选择进行的身体活动,被推荐为健康干预措施。脊髓损伤患者进行身体活动需要克服多重障碍,在遵循身体活动指南的基础上,医疗相关人员应制定适合脊髓损伤患者个体的活动计划。     

Peer mentoring reduces unplanned readmissions and improves self-efficacy following inpatient rehabilitation for individuals with spinal cord injury

ObjectiveEvaluate effectiveness of peer interventions on self-efficacy, unplanned hospital readmissions, and quality of life for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) undergoing inpatient rehabilitation.DesignInterrupted time-series analysis (ITSA) examined effects of peer interventions on unplanned readmissions. Intervention variables added to ITSA regression examined relationships with exposure to peer interventions. Heterogeneity of treatment effects (HTE) analysis examined differences in intervention effectiveness for patients with quadriplegia and paraplegia.SettingRehabilitation hospital specializing in SCI and brain injury.ParticipantsSCI inpatients (n = 1117) admitted for rehabilitation whose discharge location was home (77% male, 71% Caucasian, mean age 38.2 (SD 16.8)). A subsample of 799 patients participated in secondary analyses examining relationship between peer interventions, readmissions, changes in patient-reported outcomes, and HTE.InterventionsOne-to-one mentoring and participation in peer-led self-management classes.Main outcome measuresUnplanned readmissions, general self-efficacy (GSE), and depressive symptoms 30, 90, and 180 days post discharge; satisfaction with life at 180 days.ResultsAfter implementing the peer interventions, we observed a significant decrease in both level and slope of number of patients readmitted, and level only of unplanned hospital days 30-days post-discharge. Reduction in the number of patients and unplanned hospital days was associated with number of peer visits but not peer-led education classes attended. Higher self-efficacy (GSE) was associated with greater exposure to peer mentoring, and a significant relationship between improvement in GSE and reduced hospital readmissions was observed.ConclusionsOne-to-one peer mentoring improves self-efficacy and reduces unplanned hospital readmissions following inpatient rehabilitation for persons with SCI.     

Community exercise for individuals with spinal cord injury with inspiratory muscle training: A pilot study

Context/Objective: Respiratory disorders are a common cause of rehospitalization, and premature death in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Respiratory training combined with community exercise programs may be a method to reduce secondary complications in this population.Objective: The present study explores the inclusion of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in an existing community exercise program.Design: Case series.Setting: Community.Participants: Participants (N = 6) completed the exercise program. Five were male and one was female; four reported incomplete injuries, and two reported complete injuries; four had cervical injuries, and two had thoracic injuries. The average age was 33 years (SD = 18.6) and time since injury was 7 years (SD = 4.0).Interventions: Participants completed an 8-week program, once-per-week for 4 h that included a circuit of resistance training, aerobic exercise, trunk stability, and education. IMT was completed as a home exercise program.Outcome Measures: Transfer test, T-shirt test, four-directional reach, four-directional trunk strength, weekly training diaries, and a subjective interview.Results: Twenty-eight training logs were collected. All measures improved: transfer test (mean = −14.62, SD = 7.00 s), T-shirt test (mean = −7.83, SD = 13.88 s), four-directional reach (mean = 3.75, SD = 8.06 in) and hand-held dynamometer (mean = 6.73, SD = 8.02 kg). Individuals reported a positive impact of the program.Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated community exercise with IMT use may have positive impact on functional measures for people with SCI who are vulnerable to respiratory compromise. Continued education may increase successful health outcomes.Trial Registration: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT03743077","term_id":"NCT03743077"}}NCT03743077.     

Low-frequency fatigue in individuals with spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This study examined magnitude and recovery of low-frequency fatigue (LFF) in the quadriceps after electrically stimulated contractions in spinal cord-injured (SCI) and able-bodied subjects. SUBJECTS: Nine SCI (ASIA A-C, levels C5-T9, injured 13.6 +/- 12.2 years) and 9 sedentary able-bodied subjects completed this study. METHODS: Fatigue was evoked in 1 thigh, and the nonfatigued leg served as a control. The fatigue test for able-bodied subjects lasted 15 minutes. For SCI, stimulation was adjusted so that the relative drop in force was matched to the able-bodied group. Force was assessed at 20 (P20) and 100 Hz (P100), and the ratio of P20/P100 was used to evaluate LFF in thighs immediately after, at 10, 20, and 60 minutes, and at 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours after a fatigue test. RESULTS: The magnitude of LFF (up to 1 hour after fatigue) was not different between able-bodied and patients with SCI. However, recovery of LFF over 24 hours was greater in able-bodied compared with patients with SCI in both the experimental (P < 0.001) and control legs (P < 0.001). The able-bodied group showed a gradual recovery of LFF over time in the experimental leg, whereas the SCI group did not. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that individuals with SCI are more susceptible to LFF than able-bodied subjects. In SCI, simply assessing LFF produced considerable LFF and accounted for a substantial portion of the response. We propose that muscle injury is causing the dramatic LFF in SCI, and future studies are needed to test whether "fatigue" in SCI is actually confounded by the effects of muscle injury.     

Dietary intake and adherence to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans among individuals with chronic spinal cord injury: A pilot study

Abstract

Objective

To investigate dietary intake and adherence to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) and able-bodied individuals.

Design

A pilot study of dietary intake among a sample of individuals with SCI >1 year ago from a single site compared with able-bodied individuals.

Participants/methods

One hundred black or white adults aged 38–55 years old with SCI >1 year and 100 age-, sex-, and race-matched adults enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Dietary intake was assessed by the CARDIA dietary history. Linear regression analysis was used to compare dietary intake between the subjects with SCI and those enrolled in the CARDIA study. Further, adherence to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for dairy, fruits, and vegetables, and whole-grain foods was assessed.

Results

Compared with CARDIA participants, participants with SCI consumed fewer daily servings of dairy (2.10 vs. 5.0, P < 0.001), fruit (2.01 vs. 3.64, P = 0.002), and whole grain foods (1.20 vs. 2.44 P = 0.007). For each food group, fewer participants with SCI met the recommended servings compared with the CARDIA participants. Specifically, the participants with SCI and in CARDIA who met the guidelines were, respectively: dairy, 22% vs. 54% (P < 0.001), fruits and vegetables 39% vs. 70% (P = 0.001), and whole-grain foods 8% vs. 69.6% (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Compared with able-bodied individuals, SCI participants consumed fewer daily servings of fruit, dairy, and whole grain foods than proposed by the 2010 Dietary Guideline recommendations. Nutrition education for this population may be warranted.     

脊柱脊髓损伤患者低钠血症的临床研究

目的：探讨脊柱脊髓损伤患者低钠血症的临床发病情况、发生机制及治疗措施。方法：回顾性分析543例急性脊柱脊髓损伤患者的临床资料。结果：543例患者中发生低钠者202例，占全部病例的37．2％。脊柱脊髓损伤患者低钠血症的发生率与患者脊髓损伤平面和程度有关。202例低钠者中13例出现神经精神症状。结论：脊柱脊髓损伤患者低钠血症的发生与钠盐摄入量减少、过量水负荷、脊髓损伤后肾脏排水保钠能力下降等原因有关。ASIA运动评分与脊柱脊髓损伤患者低钠血症的发生有相关性。     

Exploring daily blood pressure fluctuations and cardiovascular risk among individuals with motor complete spinal cord injury: a pilot study

Background: Clinically silent autonomic dysfunction with bowel and bladder care, are postulated to contribute to cardiovascular disease after chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Objective: We describe the frequency and severity of dysreflexic episodes, termed transient blood pressure elevations (T-BPE) over 48 hours in adults with cervical or high-thoracic motor-complete SCI.

Setting: Tertiary SCI Rehabilitation Centre in Toronto, Canada.

Participants: Individuals with chronic SCI, C1-T3 AIS A or B, >1 year post-injury, living in the community (n=19).

Outcome Measures: Data were obtained via 48-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) monitoring, with data captured at 10-minute intervals and a concurrent diary describing activities of daily living, and bladder/bowel routines. T-BPE were defined as a?≥?40 mmHg elevation in systolic blood pressure (SBP) above the participant's supine baseline. Severe (≥ 60–79 mmHg) and Extreme ≥80 mmHg elevations in SBP were described.

Results: Thirteen participants experienced T-BPE within the assessment period, with 7/13 experiencing “severe”, and 3/13 experiencing “extreme” SBP elevations. The median number of T-BPE was 8 (IQR?=?3), and the mean?±?SD SBP during T-BPE was 150?±?16 mmHg, These T-BPE were verified as dysreflexic events using a conservative definition of a >40 mmHg increase in SBP, with a concurrent 10 bpm decrease in HR, above the 48-hour average SBP, yielding 12/19 participants with T-BPE.

Conclusions: T-BPE were frequent, often with severe or extreme elevations in SBP, despite few reported symptoms. Recognition and management of these dysreflexic events associated with T-BPE are needed, which may ameliorate cardiovascular disease risk.     

Dietary intake and adherence to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans among individuals with chronic spinal cord injury: A pilot study

Objective

To investigate dietary intake and adherence to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) and able-bodied individuals.

Design

A pilot study of dietary intake among a sample of individuals with SCI >1 year ago from a single site compared with able-bodied individuals.

Participants/methods

One hundred black or white adults aged 38–55 years old with SCI >1 year and 100 age-, sex-, and race-matched adults enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Dietary intake was assessed by the CARDIA dietary history. Linear regression analysis was used to compare dietary intake between the subjects with SCI and those enrolled in the CARDIA study. Further, adherence to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for dairy, fruits, and vegetables, and whole-grain foods was assessed.

Results

Compared with CARDIA participants, participants with SCI consumed fewer daily servings of dairy (2.10 vs. 5.0, P < 0.001), fruit (2.01 vs. 3.64, P = 0.002), and whole grain foods (1.20 vs. 2.44 P = 0.007). For each food group, fewer participants with SCI met the recommended servings compared with the CARDIA participants. Specifically, the participants with SCI and in CARDIA who met the guidelines were, respectively: dairy, 22% vs. 54% (P < 0.001), fruits and vegetables 39% vs. 70% (P = 0.001), and whole-grain foods 8% vs. 69.6% (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Compared with able-bodied individuals, SCI participants consumed fewer daily servings of fruit, dairy, and whole grain foods than proposed by the 2010 Dietary Guideline recommendations. Nutrition education for this population may be warranted.     

Midodrine in patients with spinal cord injury and anejaculation: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled pilot study

Objective

The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of midodrine in the treatment of anejaculation in men with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Study design

Prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study.

Method

Men with anejaculation associated with SCI (level of injury above T10) of more than 1 year in duration were approached. Those with no ejaculatory response to one penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) trial were assigned in a double-blind manner to one of the two following interventions once a week for a maximum of 3 weeks or until ejaculation occurred: oral administration of flexible midodrine (7.5–22.5 mg max) followed by PVS (group M), or oral administration of flexible sham-midodrine (placebo) followed by PVS (group P). Sociodemographic data, medical characteristics, and plasma desglymidodrine concentration were collected for all participants.

Outcome measure

Ejaculation success rate in each group.

Results

Among the 78 men approached, 23 participants (level of SCI: C4–T9) were randomized. Three participants abandoned the study and 20 completed the study; 10 were assigned to group M, 10 to group P. Ejaculation was reached for one participant of group M and for two participants of group P. Autonomic dysreflexia associated to PVS occurred in three patients.

Conclusion

In this small sample study, treatment of anejaculation after SCI with midodrine and PVS did not result in a better rate of antegrade ejaculation in 10 men than in 10 men treated with a placebo and PVS.     

异丙酚对大鼠急性脊髓损伤的影响

目的 研究异丙酚对大鼠急性脊髓损伤的影响.方法 雌性SD大鼠60只,体重230～270 g,随机分为3组(n=20):假手术组、脊髓损伤组和异丙酚组.采用改良的Allen打击法致伤大鼠脊髓,打击后30 min,异丙酚组经尾静脉持续输注1%异丙酚60 mg·lg-1·h-1 1 h,其余2组持续输注0.9%生理盐水6 ml·kg-1·h-1 1 h.应用斜板实验评分法和BBB联合评分法评价后肢运动功能;采用原位末端标记法(TUNEL法)检测脊髓组织细胞凋亡;HE染色后光镜下观察脊髓组织病理学.结果 异丙酚组行为学评分高于脊髓损伤组(P＜0.05);与假手术组相比,脊髓损伤组各时点单位面积凋亡细胞数均升高(P＜0.01);与脊髓损伤组相比,异丙酚组各时点单位面积凋亡细胞数均降低(P＜0.05);脊髓损伤组脊髓病理损伤较异丙酚组重,可见大量神经元坏死.结论 持续静脉输注1%异丙酚60 mg·kg-1·h-1 h可减轻大鼠急性脊髓损伤,其机制与抑制细胞凋亡有关.     

脊髓损伤合并截肢患者的康复效果分析

目的:探讨脊髓损伤合并截肢患者的康复治疗效果。方法:1991年～2011年共收治脊髓损伤合并截肢者6例,ASIA分级A级5例,C级1例;右下肢截肢者3例,左下肢截肢者1例,左上肢截肢者1例,右下肢与右上肢截肢者1例,均进行康复评价并确定康复方案。在患者全身情况和残肢关节活动度获得改善后,对截瘫合并下肢截肢者予穿戴假肢和矫形器行站立和行走训练,合并上肢截肢者予佩戴功能性假肢等康复治疗。经过物理治疗(PT)、作业治疗(OT)训练及佩戴相应的假肢和矫形器,并经过反复训练和强化后观察康复效果。应用脊髓损伤神经学分类国际标准(ASIA标准)评估患者神经功能,使用功能独立性评定(FIM)量表评估患者生活自理能力。结果:本组病例平均住院康复时间为126d(58~236d)。5例截瘫患者ASIA神经功能无明显改善(P>0.05),但FIM运动评分显著提高(入院得分为25.83分,出院平均得分为52.17分)(P<0.05)。另1例颈脊髓损伤患者入院为不完全损伤,经过治疗后感觉评分提高58分,运动评分提高14分,FIM评分中自理活动能力提高9分,转移能力提高14分,运动能力提高5分。结论:脊髓损伤合并截肢患者经过佩戴假肢并予综合康复后,患者丧失的部分功能可得到替代,生活自理能力可得到明显提高。     

Efficacy of QuadroPulse rTMS for improving motor function after spinal cord injury: Three case studies

Context/objective

To examine the effects of repetitive QuadroPulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS_QP) on hand/leg function after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design

Interventional proof-of-concept study.

Setting

University laboratory.

Participants

Three adult subjects with cervical SCI.

Interventions

Repeated trains of magnetic stimuli were applied to the motor cortical hand/leg area. Several exploratory single-day rTMS_QP protocols were examined. Ultimately we settled on a protocol using three 5-day trials of (1) rTMS_QP only; (2) exercise only (targeting hand or leg function); and (3) rTMS_QP combined with exercise.

Outcome measures

Hand motor function was assessed by Purdue Pegboard and Complete Minnesota Dexterity tests. Walking function was based on treadmill walking and the Timed Up and Go test. Electromyographic recordings were used for neurophysiological testing of cortical (by single- and double-pulse TMS) and spinal (via tendon taps and electrical nerve stimulation) excitability.

Results

Single-day rTMS_QP application had no clear effect in the 2 subjects whose hand function was targeted, but improved walking speed in the person targeted for walking, accompanied by increased cortical excitability and reduced spinal excitability. All 3 subjects showed functional improvement following the 5-day rTMS_QP intervention, an effect being even more pronounced after the five-day combined rTMS_QP + exercise sessions. There were no rTMS_QP-associated adverse effects.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest a functional benefit of motor cortical rTMS_QP after SCI. The effect of rTMS_QP appears to be augmented when stimulation is accompanied by targeted exercises, warranting expansion of this pilot study to a larger subject population.