Standing the spinal cord injured patient by electrical stimulation: refinement of a protocol for clinical use.
Standing by functional neuromuscular stimulation can be obtained in a select subpopulation of spinal cord injured individuals. This technology has not yet been made available to patients on a clinical basis. The methodology for a simple two-channel protocol is described in detail, including biomechanics, stimulator design, and muscle response to stimulation. This protocol shows reasonable promise of successful clinical implementation in the future. Results over a five-year period are presented which include data on 21 patients. Estimates of the potential user population of this protocol is 10 percent of the paraplegic population.
Jaeger
R J
RJ
Yarkony
G M
GM
Smith
R M
RM
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D011187:Posture; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*