title: Effects of stimulating hip and trunk muscles on seated stability, posture, and reach after spinal cord injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the stimulated strength of the paralyzed gluteal and paraspinal muscles and their effects on the seated function of individuals with paralysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series with subjects acting as their own concurrent controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospital-based clinical biomechanics laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Users (N=8) of implanted neuroprostheses for lower extremity function with low-cervical or thoracic level injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dynamometry and digital motion capture both with and without stimulation to the hip and trunk muscles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Isometric trunk extension moment at 0°, 15°, and 30° of flexion; seated stability in terms of simulated isokinetic rowing; pelvic tilt, shoulder height, loaded and unloaded bimanual reaching to different heights, and subjective ratings of difficulty during unsupported sitting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stimulation produced significant increases in mean trunk extension moment (9.2±9.5Nm, P<.001) and rowing force (27.4±23.1N, P<.012) over baseline volitional values. Similarly, stimulation induced positive changes in average pelvic tilt (16.7±15.7°) and shoulder height (2.2±2.5cm) during quiet sitting and bimanual reaching, and increased mean reach distance (5.5±6.6cm) over all subjects, target heights, and loading conditions. Subjects consistently rated tasks with stimulation easier than voluntary effort alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In spite of considerable intersubject variability, stabilizing the paralyzed trunk with electrical stimulation can positively impact seated posture, extend forward reach, and allow exertion of larger forces on objects in the environment.
authors.affiliation: Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. Ronald.triolo@case.edu
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Triolo
authors.forename: Stephanie Nogan
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lombardo
authors.forename: Musa L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Audu
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006615:Hip; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011187:Posture; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D060726:Torso
keywords: AD; ASIA; American Spinal Injury Association; Electrical stimulation; IM; MANOVA; Neural prostheses; PSIS; Posture; Rehabilitation; SCI; Spinal cord injuries; Torso; URS; Usability Rating Scale; autonomic dysreflexia; intramuscular; multivariate analysis of variance; posterior superior iliac spine; spinal cord injury