Enhanced selectivity of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation by multielectrode configuration

This study explores a non-invasive method, transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS), to improve muscle control in people with spinal cord injuries. The challenge with tSCS is its lack of precision in targeting specific muscles. The researchers tested whether using multiple electrodes in specific arrangements could improve the selectivity of muscle recruitment compared to the standard single-electrode approach. They hypothesized that by stimulating different locations on the lower back, they could target specific motor neuron pools controlling leg muscles. The study found that multielectrode configurations could indeed enhance the precision of tSCS, allowing for more selective activation of individual leg muscles. This improved selectivity could lead to more effective rehabilitation strategies for restoring movement after spinal cord injury.

• 1
  Multielectrode configurations of tSCS can improve the rostrocaudal and lateral selectivity of muscle recruitment compared to conventional tSCS.
• 2
  Motor responses elicited by spatially selective tSCS are mediated by posterior root-muscle reflexes, suggesting recruitment of proprioceptive fibers.
• 3
  The combination of leg muscle recruitment probability and segmental innervation maps revealed a stereotypical spinal activation map in congruence with each electrode's position.