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Evaluation of cervical stimulation for chronic treatment of spasticity

Departments of Physiology (Drs. Gottlieb and Kroin and Ms. Myklebust), Neurosurgery (Dr. Penn), and Neurology (Dr. Stefoski), Rush Medical Center, Chicago, IL; and the Neuro Division (Dr. Groth), Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN.

Electrical stimulation of the spinal cord (SCS) to reduce spasticity was evaluated in seven patients who, along with their physicians, perceived significant and prompt benefit from stimulation. In two 24-hour test periods, on or off stimulation, we used two independent methods of evaluation: quantitative measures of joint compliance and stretch reflexes, and a standardized neurologic examination. Neither method did better than chance in determining whether SCS was actually being received. Problems with the experimental protocol are discussed, but the results cannot be interpreted as supporting the efficacy of SCS as a treatment for spasticity.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Gottlieb, Department of Physiology, Rush Medical Center, 1753 West Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL 60612.

Supported by grants from Medtronic, Inc., The Foundation for Physical Therapy, NRSA HL07320, and NIH grants NS-15630 and NS-12877.

Accepted for publication September 10, 1984.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. L. Albright Neurosurgical Treatment of Spasticity and Other Pediatric Movement Disorders J Child Neurol, January 1, 2003; 18(1_suppl): S67 - S78. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. A. Gelber and P. B. Jozefczyk Therapeutics in the Management of Spasticity Neurorehabil Neural Repair, March 1, 1999; 13(1): 5 - 14. [Abstract] [PDF]