Interface pressure and cutaneous hemoglobin and oxygenation changes under ischial tuberosities during sacral nerve root stimulation in spinal cord injury.
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.
Liu
Liang Qin
LQ
Spinal Research Centre, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), Stanmore, United Kingdom.
Nicholson
Graham P
GP
Knight
Sarah L
SL
Chelvarajah
Ramesh
R
Gall
Angela
A
Middleton
Fred R I
FR
Ferguson-Pell
Martin W
MW
Craggs
Michael D
MD
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
D006454:Hemoglobins; D010100:Oxygen