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OBJECTIVE: Aortic regurgitation, conduction disturbances, increased myocardial fibrosis and pericarditis could be seen in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, less attention has been paid to supraventricular arrhythmias (SVA) and atrial conduction system changes. We aimed to assess SVA and conduction system changes in patients with AS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (24 men; mean age, 28.7 ± 5.7 years) with AS and 30 healthy volunteers (26 men; mean age, 29.3 ± 5.8 years) were enrolled. All subjects were evaluated by 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram, 12 lead standard electrocardiogram (ECG) for P wave dispersion (Pd), and signal-averaged ECG (SAECG) for P wave duration (SAPWD). RESULTS: SVAs were detected in 9 patients with AS (32%) and 3 controls (10%; p = 0.02). Mean SAPWD (115.7 ± 28.6 ms vs. 100.2 ± 18.7 ms, p = 0.017) and mean Pd (11.9 ± 4.8 ms vs. 9.3±3.6 ms, 0.023) was longer in patients with AS than the control group. When patient with AS were divided into 2 subgroups as patients with or without SVA, the Pd (16.2 ± 5.0 vs. 9.9 ± 3.2, p = 0.001), SAPWD (151.4 ± 7.8 vs. 98.7 ± 16.1, p = 0.001) and Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) (5.1 ± 1.6 vs. 3.7 ± 1.0, p = 0.014) were significantly greater in the subgroup with arrhythmias compared to the subgroup without arrhythmias. There was a strong positive correlation between BASDAI and SAPWD (r = 0.622, p = 0.001). There was also a moderate positive correlation between BASDAI and Pd (r = 0.479, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: SVA were detected more frequently in AS than control group. SAPWD and Pd were prolonged in patients with AS. Clinical severity assessed with BASDAI had a positive correlation with prolongation of SAPWD and Pd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study analyzes the stimulation parameters implemented during two successful trials that used non-invasive transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) to effectively improve upper extremity function after chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). It proposes a framework to guide stimulation programming decisions for the successful translation of these techniques into the clinic., Materials and Methods: Programming data from 60 participants who completed the Up-LIFT trial and from 17 participants who subsequently completed the LIFT Home trial were analyzed. All observations of stimulation amplitudes, frequencies, waveforms, and electrode configurations were examined. The incidence of adverse events and relatedness to stimulation parameters is reported. A comparison of parameter usage across the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) subgroups was conducted to evaluate stimulation strategies across participants with varying degrees of sensorimotor preservation., Results: Active (cathodal) electrodes were typically placed between the C3/C4 and C6/C7 spinous processes. Most sessions featured return (anodal) electrodes positioned bilaterally over the anterior superior iliac spine, although clavicular placement was frequently used by 12 participants. Stimulation was delivered with a 10-kHz carrier frequency and typically a 30-Hz burst frequency. Biphasic waveforms were used in 83% of sessions. Average stimulation amplitudes were higher for biphasic waveforms. The AIS B subgroup required significantly higher amplitudes than did the AIS C and D subgroups. Device-related adverse events were infrequent, and not correlated with specific waveforms or amplitudes. Within the home setting, participants maintained their current amplitudes within 1% of the preset values. The suggested stimulation programming framework dictates the following hierarchical order of parameter adjustments: current amplitude, waveform type, active/return electrode positioning, and burst frequency, guided by clinical observations as required., Conclusions: This analysis summarizes effective stimulation parameters from the trials and provides a decision-making framework for clinical implementation of tSCS for upper extremity functional restoration after SCI. The parameters are aligned with existing literature and proved safe and well tolerated by participants., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Kristen Gelenitis, Jared Pradarelli, Jenny Suggitt, Amanda Turner, and Markus Rieger are employees of ONWARD Medical. Andrea Santamaria, Jessica M D’Amico, Edelle Field-Fote, and Chet Moritz are paid consultants of ONWARD Medical. The remaining authors reported no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study investigated the effect of cervical and lumbar transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) combined with intensive training to improve walking and autonomic function after chronic spinal cord injury (SCI)., Methods: Two 64-year-old men with chronic motor incomplete cervical SCI participated in this single-subject design study. They each underwent 2 months of intensive locomotor training and 2 months of multisite cervical and lumbosacral tSCS paired with intensive locomotor training., Results: The improvement in 6-Minute Walk Test distance after 2 months of tSCS with intensive training was threefold greater than after locomotor training alone. Both participants improved balance ability measured by the Berg Balance Scale and increased their ability to engage in daily home exercises. Gait analysis demonstrated increased step length for each individual. Both participants experienced improved sensation and bowel function, and 1 participant eliminated the need for intermittent catheterization after the stimulation phase of the study., Conclusion: These results suggest that noninvasive spinal cord stimulation might promote recovery of locomotor and autonomic functions beyond traditional gait training in people with chronic incomplete cervical SCI., Impact: Multisite transcutaneous spinal stimulation may induce neuroplasticity of the spinal networks and confer functional benefits following chronic cervical SCI., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Physical Therapy Association.)

Paralysis of the upper extremity severely restricts independence and quality of life after spinal cord injury. Regaining control of hand and arm movements is the highest treatment priority for people with paralysis, 6-fold higher than restoring walking ability. Nevertheless, current approaches to improve upper extremity function typically do not restore independence. Spinal cord stimulation is an emerging neuromodulation strategy to restore motor function. Recent studies using surgically implanted electrodes demonstrate impressive improvements in voluntary control of standing and stepping. Here we show that transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the spinal cord leads to rapid and sustained recovery of hand and arm function, even after complete paralysis. Notably, the magnitude of these improvements matched or exceeded previously reported results from surgically implanted stimulation. Additionally, muscle spasticity was reduced and autonomic functions including heart rate, thermoregulation, and bladder function improved. Perhaps most striking is that all six participants maintained their gains for at least three to six months beyond stimulation, indicating functional recovery mediated by long-term neuroplasticity. Several participants resumed their hobbies that require fine motor control, such as playing the guitar and oil painting, for the first time in up to 12 years since their injuries. Our findings demonstrate that non-invasive transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the spinal networks restores movement and function of the hands and arm for people with both complete paralysis and long-term spinal cord injury.

Upper extremity function is the highest priority of tetraplegics for improving quality of life. We aim to determine the therapeutic potential of transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation for restoration of upper extremity function. We tested the hypothesis that cervical stimulation can facilitate neuroplasticity that results in long-lasting improvement in motor control. A 62-year-old male with C3, incomplete, chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) participated in the study. The intervention comprised three alternating periods: 1) transcutaneous spinal stimulation combined with physical therapy (PT); 2) identical PT only; and 3) a brief combination of stimulation and PT once again. Following four weeks of combined stimulation and physical therapy training, all of the following outcome measurements improved: the Graded Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensation, and Prehension test score increased 52 points and upper extremity motor score improved 10 points. Pinch strength increased 2- to 7-fold in left and right hands, respectively. Sensation recovered on trunk dermatomes, and overall neurologic level of injury improved from C3 to C4. Most notably, functional gains persisted for over 3 month follow-up without further treatment. These data suggest that noninvasive electrical stimulation of spinal networks can promote neuroplasticity and long-term recovery following SCI.

Background and Objective: Gait impairment, falls due to balance problems and fatigue are among the most important complaints in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and cause significant functional limitation. Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to help symptom management and to improve quality of life is growing among MS patients. Yoga is widely used as one of these CAM interventions, however, the number of studies that show the efficacy of yoga training in MS is inadequate. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of a short term yoga program on fatigue, balance and gait in patients with MS., Method: Eight volunteer ambulatory MS patients with clinically definite relapsing remitting MS whose Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) is less than or equal to 6.0, and eight healthy subjects were included in the study. Patients participated in 12 weeks of a bi-weekly yoga program under supervision. At their baseline and after yoga therapy, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) are used to assess fatigue and balance. Three dimensional gait analysis is done using the Vicon 612 system with six cameras and two Bertec force plates, before and after therapy., Results: After short term yoga therapy, statistically significant achievements were obtained in fatigue, balance, step length and walking speed. Although sagittal plane pelvis and hip angles, ankle plantar flexor moment, powers generated at the hip and ankle joints at the pre-swing were improved, the improvements were not statistically significant., Conclusion: Yoga therapy is a safe and beneficial intervention for improving fatigue, balance and spatiotemporal gait parameters in patients with MS. Further studies with a larger sample size and longer follow-up will be needed to evaluate the long term effects of yoga therapy., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)