Article

Spinal cord injury causes muscle wasting and loss of function, which
are especially severe after complete and permanent damage to lower motor neurons.
In a previous cross-sectional study, long-standing denervated muscles were
rescued by home-based functional electrical stimulation (h-bFES) training.
OBJECTIVE: To confirm results by a 2-year longitudinal prospective study of 25
patients with complete conus/cauda equina lesions. METHODS: Denervated leg
muscles were stimulated by h-bFES using a custom-designed stimulator and large surface electrodes. Muscle mass, force, and structure were determined before and after 2 years of h-bFES using computed tomography, measurements of knee torque during stimulation, and muscle biopsies analyzed by histology and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Twenty of 25 patients completed the 2-year h-bFES program,
which resulted in (a) a 35% cross-sectional increase in area of the quadriceps
muscle from 28.2 +/- 8.1 to 38.1 +/- 12.7 cm(2) (P < .001), a 75% increase in
mean diameter of muscle fibers from 16.6 +/- 14.3 to 29.1 +/- 23.3 mum (P <
.001), and improvements of the ultrastructural organization of contractile
material; and (b) a 1187% increase in force output during electrical stimulation
from 0.8 +/- 1.3 to 10.3 +/- 8.1 N m (P < .001). The recovery of quadriceps force
was sufficient to allow 25% of the subjects to perform FES-assisted stand-up exercises.
CONCLUSIONS : Home-based FES of denervated muscle is an effective home
therapy that results in rescue of muscle mass and tetanic contractility.
Important immediate benefits for the patients are the improved cosmetic
appearance of lower extremities and the enhanced cushioning effect for seating.

Langue : ANGLAIS