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Electric Therapy helps Muscle Spasticity
October 24, 2002Researchers in Austria who have been trying to overcome spasticity in people with spinal cord injury have made significant progress that might, in the future, help patients to stand. A technique called spinal cord stimulation is showing promise for people whose legs are bent and stiffened due to damaged nerves as a result of injury.
Dr Michaela Pinter from the Neurological Rehabilitation Centre Rosenhügel in Vienna, in collaboration with Univ. Prof. Dr. Binder at the Neurogical Centre Otto Wagner Spital and his team, worked with 10 patients. The electrodes were placed on the lower thoracic part of their spine, which stimulated the lumbar spinal cord, causing the muscle to relax.
"Patients with severe spasticity cannot keep their legs in a straight and relaxed position. The involuntary action of the damage spinal cord means that their legs go into spasm and stay in a flexed position. Spinal cord stimulation can even enable a patient to stand with support," said Dr Pinter. Furthermore, this technique unmasked muscle functions of the lower limbs that were affected, and in some cases improved bladder control.
Patients were able to control their spasticity as they could adjust the levels of stimulation. Some patients in the study experienced more sensation and they found an improvement in their bladder or bowel control as well as the stability of the trunk region of the body "This means that there is less interference in their daily activities and they can live a more normal life without the fear or inconvenience of a sudden spasm," said Dr Pinter.
Until now, the effects of spinal cord stimulation have only been described in people with mild and moderate spastictiy. The group in Vienna examined the effect on severe spasticity and have seen for the first time the positive effect of spinal cord stimulation on severe spasticity in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury.
This is not a `miracle cure` but it is an important step in helping people with injured spinal cord to regain their independence.
END
Snell Communications Ltd
Patients were able to control their spasticity as they could adjust the levels of stimulation. Some patients in the study experienced more sensation and they found an improvement in their bladder or bowel control as well as the stability of the trunk region of the body "This means that there is less interference in their daily activities and they can live a more normal life without the fear or inconvenience of a sudden spasm," said Dr Pinter.
Until now, the effects of spinal cord stimulation have only been described in people with mild and moderate spastictiy. The group in Vienna examined the effect on severe spasticity and have seen for the first time the positive effect of spinal cord stimulation on severe spasticity in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury.
This is not a `miracle cure` but it is an important step in helping people with injured spinal cord to regain their independence.
END
Snell Communications Ltd
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