Feedback-controlled stimulation enhances human paralyzed muscle performance.
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
11-1-2006
Journal
J Appl Physiol (1985)
Volume
101
Issue
5
DOI
10.1152/japplphysiol.00385.2006
Keywords
Adaptation, Physiological; Adult; Aged; Electric Stimulation; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Feedback; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Fatigue; Muscle, Skeletal; Paraplegia; Spinal Cord Injuries; Torque
Abstract
Chronically paralyzed muscle requires extensive training before it can deliver a therapeutic dose of repetitive stress to the musculoskeletal system. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation, under feedback control, may subvert the effects of fatigue, yielding more rapid and extensive adaptations to training. The purposes of this investigation were to 1) compare the effectiveness of torque feedback-controlled (FDBCK) electrical stimulation with classic open-loop constant-frequency (CONST) stimulation, and 2) ascertain which of three stimulation strategies best maintains soleus torque during repetitive stimulation. When torque declined by 10%, the FDBCK protocol modulated the base stimulation frequency in three ways: by a fixed increase, by a paired pulse (doublet) at the beginning of the stimulation train, and by a fixed decrease. The stimulation strategy that most effectively restored torque continued for successive contractions. This process repeated each time torque declined by 10%. In fresh muscle, FDBCK stimulation offered minimal advantage in maintaining peak torque or mean torque over CONST stimulation. As long-duration fatigue developed in subsequent bouts, FDBCK stimulation became most effective ( approximately 40% higher final normalized torque than CONST). The high-frequency strategy was selected approximately 90% of the time, supporting that excitation-contraction coupling compromise and not neuromuscular transmission failure contributed to fatigue of paralyzed muscle. Ideal stimulation strategies may vary according to the site of fatigue; this stimulation approach offered the advantage of online modulation of stimulation strategies in response to fatigue conditions. Based on stress-adaptation principles, FDBCK-controlled stimulation may enhance training effects in chronically paralyzed muscle.
APA Citation
Shields, R., Dudley-Javoroski, S., & Cole, K. R. (2006). Feedback-controlled stimulation enhances human paralyzed muscle performance.. J Appl Physiol (1985), 101 (5). http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00385.2006
Peer Reviewed
1
Comments
This is an open access PubMed Central article.