Dermatome electrical stimulation as a therapeutic ambulatory aid for incomplete spinal cord injured patients.
Electrical stimulation of the L-3,4 dermatome during treadmill walking is proposed as a gait training modality in incomplete spinal cord injured patients. The dermatome stimulation proved to be efficient in diminishing the extensor tone occurring after loading of the paralyzed limb during the stance phase of walking and resulting in improved flexion of the leg during the swing phase.
Bajd
Tadej
T
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. tadej.bajd@fe.uni-lj.si
Munih
M
M
Savrin
R
R
Benko
H
H
Cikajlo
I
I
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology