Cervical Spinal Stimulation at Different Levels Evoked Multisegmental Motor Responses in the Lower Limbs

Abstract

Objective: To report on the effect of electrical stimulation of the cervical spine while recording muscular signal from lower limb muscles with Cervical Multisegmental Motor Responses (MMR). Design: Experimental StudyOutcome Measures: Peak-to-Peak amplitude and deflection latency of the MMR.Methods: C1, C3, and C7 vertebral levels were electrically stimulated using 1 msec. 0.2 PPS square wave pulses applied at response maximum while recording muscular signal from right leg Vastus Medialis (VMO) Medial Hamstrings (MH), Tibialis Anterior (TA), and soleus (SOL) muscles simultaneously.Results: Large signal amplitudes were obtained in all tested muscles with the largest amplitude in the VMO and SOL followed by the MH and TA. Signal latency increased with distal limb muscles. Signal threshold, maximum intensity levels were comparable between all stimulation levels and the visual analogue noxious level showed the three procedures to be comfortable. Conclusions:These procedures can be used for testing descending pathways for patients with spinal cord injuries and diseases.