Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 15, 2026
Paradigms of Lower Extremity Electrical Stimulation Training After Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: February 1, 2018
Upper Extremity Muscle Recovery Profiles With Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
Gustavo Balbinot1, Guijin Li2, Alexandra Chen3
1Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada; Movement Neurorehabilitation and Neurorepair laboratory, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada; Institute for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada; KITE Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation to Application, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
Background:
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) often cause significant functional impairments. Functional electrical stimulation therapy (FEST) aims to enhance muscle strength, particularly when natural recovery decreases. However, the recovery profiles of individual muscles treated with FEST during the chronic phase are not well understood. The primary objective of this study was to characterize the timing and magnitude of gains in individual muscle strength during FEST. The secondary objective was to identify factors predictive of the response.
Materials And Methods:
This cohort study evaluated the strength recovery profiles of 136 muscles treated with FEST, from 17 participants with chronic cervical SCI. Electrophysiology was conducted at baseline to assess corticospinal tract (CST) integrity and the excitability of the lower motor neuron pools using surface electromyography.
Results:
Overall, 69 muscles did not respond to the treatment whereas 67 muscles showed a median strength increase of one muscle motor score (MMS). Among responder muscles, achieving a one-MMS increase required approximately 59 days (19.2 FEST sessions). A prediction model highlighted key predictors of responsiveness to FEST, including baseline MMS, characteristics of lesion location/severity, and neurophysiologic indicators of CST integrity.
Conclusions:
Our findings can inform rehabilitation medicine guidelines for FEST in cervical SCI. The data indicate that achieving a one-point increase in muscle strength requires approximately 59 days and 19 FEST sessions. CST integrity and the responsiveness of lower motor neuron pools may influence FEST outcomes. These insights will enable more personalized and effective rehabilitation strategies, optimizing outcomes and resource allocation for individuals living with cervical SCI.
Clinical Trial Registration:
The Clinicaltrials.gov registration number for the study is NCT05462925.
More Related Videos
11:34Breathing-controlled Electrical Stimulation BreEStim for Management of Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity
Published on: January 10, 2013
09:14Surface Electromyographic Biofeedback as a Rehabilitation Tool for Patients with Global Brachial Plexus Injury Receiving Bionic Reconstruction
Published on: September 28, 2019