title: Interface pressure and cutaneous hemoglobin and oxygenation changes under ischial tuberosities during sacral nerve root stimulation in spinal cord injury.
abstract: Noninvasive functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) of the sacral nerve roots can activate gluteal muscles. We propose the use of sacral anterior root stimulator (SARS) implants to prevent ischial pressure ulcers in the spinal cord injury (SCI) population. In this study, we (1) investigated the acute effects of sacral FMS on ischial pressure, skin blood content, and oxygenation changes in people with SCI and demonstrated the utility of FMS as an assessment tool, and (2) showed that similar effects are possible with electrical stimulation via a SARS implant. Results indicated that sacral nerve root stimulation, either by FMS or implanted electrical stimulation, induced sufficient gluteus maximus contraction to significantly change subjects' ischial pressures and cutaneous hemoglobin and oxygenation during sitting. In addition to these beneficial acute effects, chronic stimulation via a SARS implant may build gluteal muscle bulk and prevent or reduce pressure ulcers in the SCI population.
authors.affiliation: Spinal Research Centre, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), Stanmore, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Liang Qin
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Graham P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: Ramesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chelvarajah
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gall
authors.forename: Fred R I
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Middleton
authors.forename: Martin W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Ferguson-Pell
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Craggs
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002081:Buttocks; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D010100:Oxygen