Enhancing rehabilitation of motor deficits with peripheral nerve stimulation
PubMed ID
18356592
Abstract
A number of different neurorehabilitation strategies include manipulation of the somatosensory system, e.g. in the form of training by passive movement. Recently, peripheral electrical nerve stimulation has been proposed as a simple, painless method of enhancing rehabilitation of motor deficits. Several physiological studies both in animals and in humans indicate that a prolonged period of patterned peripheral electrical stimulation induces short-term plasticity at multiple levels of the motor system. Small-scale studies in humans indicate that these plastic changes are linked with improvement in motor function, particularly in patients with chronic motor deficits after stroke. Somatosensory-mediated disinhibition of motor pathways is a possible underlying mechanism and might explain why peripheral electrical stimulation is more effective when combined with active training. Further large-scale studies are needed to identify the optimal stimulation protocol and the patient groups that stand to benefit the most from this technique.
Date Issued
2008
Publication Type
Article
Language(s)
en
Additional Credits
Journal
NeuroRehabilitation
Publisher
IOS Press
ISSN
1053-8135
ISBN
18356592
Access(Rights)
metadata.only