Original Article
Spinal Cord (2008) 46, 445–450; doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3102166; published online 29 January 2008
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation of completely paralyzed abdominal muscles in spinal cord-injured patients: a pilot study
R Hascakova-Bartova1,2, J-F Dinant1, A Parent1 and M Ventura1,3
- 1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Centre de Traumatologie et de Réadaptation, Brussels, Belgium
- 2Department of Rheumatology and Physical Medicine
- 3Department of Neurology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
Correspondence: Dr R Hascakova-Bartova, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Centre de Traumatologie et de Réadaptation, Place Van Gehuchten 4, Brussels 1020, Belgium. E-mail: rhascako@ulb.ac.be
Received 24 August 2007; Revised 23 October 2007; Accepted 9 December 2007; Published online 29 January 2008.
Abstract
Study Design:
Prospective placebo-controlled.
Objective:
The effect of abdominal neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in patients with spinal cord injury. The principal parameters observed in this study are lung capacity, colonic transit, patient satisfaction of used method and of aesthetics effect on abdominal wall.
Settings:
Centre de Traumatologie et de Réadaptation, Brussels, Belgium.
Methods:
A total of 10 volunteers participated in this study and were assigned to two groups—the effective electrical stimulation group (ESG) and the placebo-controlled group (PG). NMES of abdominal muscles was performed 25 min per day for 8 weeks.
Results:
NMES significantly decreased forced vital capacity (FVC) in ESG but not in PG. In ESG, colonic transit was accelerated in ascending, transverse and descending colon but transit in rectosigmoideum was not affected. In PG, no variations in colonic transit were observed. Satisfaction scale shows a better influence on aesthetics effect in ESG than in PG.
Conclusion:
This pilot study shows that NMES of paralyzed abdominal muscles positively affects colonic transit except in rectosigmoideum segment and negatively affects FVC. It could be a simple self-used method to regulate colonic transfer with considerably good cosmetic effect on abdominal wall. However, regular verification of FVC will probably be necessary.
Keywords:
neuromuscular electrical stimulation, spinal cord injury, abdominal muscles, forced vital capacity, colonic transit
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