title: Electrical stimulation of denervated muscles: first results of a clinical study.
abstract: To evaluate the effects of electrical stimulation on denervated muscles in spinal cord injured humans, the EU Project RISE was started in 2001. The aims of this project are: to design and build sufficient stimulators; to develop stimulation protocols by means of mathematical models, animal experiments, and practice in humans with denervated lower limbs; to develop examination methods and devices for evaluation of electrical stimulation training effects; and to acquire basic scientific knowledge on denervated and stimulated denervated muscle. In the clinical study 27 spinal cord injured individuals were included, furthermore 13 pilot patients participated. After a series of initial examinations they underwent an electrical stimulation program for their denervated lower limb muscles. Some of the patients have already follow up examinations. A marked increase of muscle mass and quality was observed, the trophic situation of the denervated lower limbs had improved obviously.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Electrical Stimulation and Physical Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mödlin
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Forstner
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hofer
authors.forename: Winfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mayr
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Carraro
authors.forename: Feliciano
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Protasi
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kern
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009121:Muscle Denervation / Q000009:adverse effects; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome