Enabling and promoting walking rehabilitation by paired associative stimulation after incomplete paraplegia : a case report

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Shulga , A , Savolainen , S , Kirveskari , E & Mäkelä , J P 2020 , ' Enabling and promoting walking rehabilitation by paired associative stimulation after incomplete paraplegia : a case report ' , Spinal cord series and cases , vol. 6 , no. 1 , 72 . https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-020-0320-7

Title: Enabling and promoting walking rehabilitation by paired associative stimulation after incomplete paraplegia : a case report
Author: Shulga, A.; Savolainen, S.; Kirveskari, E.; Mäkelä, J.P.
Contributor organization: HUS Medical Imaging Center
HUS Neurocenter
Department of Neurosciences
Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research
Kliinisen neurofysiologian yksikkö
Doctoral Programme Brain & Mind
BioMag Laboratory
Date: 2020
Language: eng
Number of pages: 7
Belongs to series: Spinal cord series and cases
ISSN: 2058-6124
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-020-0320-7
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10138/327457
Abstract: Introduction: Paired associative stimulation (PAS) is a combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) and induces plastic changes in the human corticospinal tract. We have previously shown that PAS consisting of TMS pulses given at 100% of stimulator output and high-frequency PNS is beneficial for motor rehabilitation of patients with a chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). The therapeutic possibilities of this PAS variant for walking rehabilitation of paraplegic patients are unexplored. Case presentation: A 47-year old man with traumatic incomplete paraplegia (AIS D, neurological level T7) received PAS to his left leg for 3 months at 12 months post injury (PAS1) and for an additional 3 months at 24 months post injury (PAS2). The right leg had normal AIS scores and was not stimulated. Before PAS, the patient was nonambulatory, could not stand without weight support, and was consequently not eligible for conventional walking rehabilitation. After PAS1, the patient could stand for 1.5 min and take 13 steps (24 steps in follow up) on parallel bars without weight support and was enrolled into conventional walking rehabilitation. He achieved independent walking ability with a rollator. During PAS2, walking distance increased 2.4 times faster than during the preceding year. The left leg AIS score and spinal cord independence measure mobility subscore increased. No adverse effects were detected. Discussion: This is the first report of PAS with a high-frequency peripheral component that enabled and promoted walking rehabilitation. Together with previous reports on this technique, this result encourages further research into its therapeutic potential and mechanism. © 2020, The Author(s).
Subject: adult
Article
case report
clinical article
electromyography
follow up
human
male
middle aged
motor nerve conduction
motor performance
muscle strength
nerve stimulation
neurorehabilitation
paraplegia
physiotherapy
priority journal
pyramidal tract
spinal cord injury
training
transcranial magnetic stimulation
walking
walking speed
3124 Neurology and psychiatry
Peer reviewed: Yes
Rights: cc_by
Usage restriction: openAccess
Self-archived version: publishedVersion


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