Development of spinal associative stimulation using motor point stimulation

Studies have shown that delivering combination of two stimulation can improve muscle responses and related nerve function in spinal cord injury patients and able-bodied people. Typically, a painless magnetic stimulation through the scalp over the brain, and electrical stimulation to the knee over a peripheral nerve (a nerve that sends signals to muscles and receives sensory information to and from the brain) is used in this technique. However, the peripheral nerves we can stimulate are technically limited, which means that rehabilitation techniques utilizing this method are limited. We aim to develop a new method using muscle and lumbar stimulation instead of peripheral nerve and brain stimulation. The purpose of the present study is to examine if paring muscle and lumbar stimulation can alter the neural and motor function in able-bodied people. This study will help the development of effective rehabilitation techniques for spinal cord injury in the future.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kei Masani

Student:

Partner:

The University of Tokyo

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Toronto

Program: