Central Contributions to Contractions Evoked by Tetanic Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Abstract

Tetanic electrical stimulation applied over human muscle or peripheral nerve generates contractions by depolarizing motor axons beneath the stimulating electrodes. However, the simultaneous depolarization of sensory axons can also contribute to the contractions by the synaptic recruitment of spinal motoneurons. Maximizing this central contribution may be beneficial for reducing muscle atrophy or restoring movement for persons with movement disorders.

Use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in the Treatment of Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy: A Literature Review

“…One limitation of NMES suggested by neurophysiological studies is the manner in which motor units are activated during electrical stimulation. NMES results in the activation of motor units in a nonphysiological manner, resulting in increased muscle fatigue when compared to voluntary actions (Collins, 2007). In contrast to the sequence in voluntary contractions, larger axons are recruited first, which innervate the muscles that fatigue most rapidly (Collins, 2007).…”

Effects of Use and Disuse on Non-paralyzed and Paralyzed Skeletal Muscles

“…that there is a volley-like phenomenon that may result in afferent stimulation and indirectly stimulate the motor neuron pool to activate the desired muscle group [101]. This work may potentially reduce the rapid muscle fatigue during stimulation.…”

“…NMES applied with large pulse duration 1 ms can result in volley like effect and stimulate the alpha motor units via the afferent ant-dromic pathway. Collins and associates have conducted a series of studies that have determined the capabilities of surface NMES to cause asynchronous recruitment similar to volitional exercise via afferent stimulation [101]. The work showed Aging and Disease • Volume 7, Number 3, June 2016 9…”

FES assisted standing in people with incomplete spinal cord injury: a single case design series

“…12 However, a number of studies have suggested that an enhanced effect on muscle contraction may be obtained through the use of electrical stimuli at higher frequencies up to 100 Hz, [13][14][15] which produce synaptic recruitment of spinal motoneurons 16 and recruit a greater number of fatigue resistant motor units through reflex activation of smaller motoneurons, 17 but there have been no reported studies in which training using stimulation frequencies of 35 and 100 Hz have been compared in terms of their benefits to functional activity such as standing from sitting.…”