Non-invasive Spinal Cord Stimulation After Spinal Cord Injury

Details

This project will evaluate the effects of non-invasive lumbar ts-ES on locomotor function in people with incomplete motor SCI (iSCI) who retain some ability to stand or walk. This study has 3 phases: Baseline assessment - 2 sessions - week 1 -Lab visits #1-2 Locomotor training with varied electrical stimulation- 12 sessions - weeks 2-5 - Lab visits #3-14 (1hr, x3/week) End of training assessment - 2 sessions - week 6- Lab visits #15-16. Specific locomotor deficits of each participant will be evaluated, and their step-cycle-based peripheral muscle or nerve stimulation strategy will be determined accordingly to improve stance or step capacity. After augmenting their locomotor function with muscle or peripheral nerve stimulation-induced activation strategies that address particular and unique motor deficits, they will receive intermittent bouts of stance or locomotor training supplemented with ts-ES. The locomotor training will consist of standing/walking on a treadmill with appropriate bodyweight support and added muscle or peripheral nerve stimulation. Specifically, the project aims to assess the following: Does combined muscle (NMES) or peripheral nerve (PN) stimulation with ts-ES during treadmill stepping facilitate locomotor performance? Does four weeks of combined training as described above (1hrx3/week) facilitate exercise capacity (measured by submaximal VO2) in persons with chronic iSCI?