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International Journal of Neuroscience Volume 129, 2019 - Issue 11
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Original Articles

Effects of training with a neuro-mechano stimulator rehabilitation bicycle on functional recovery and paired-reflex depression of the soleus in individuals with incomplete paralysis: a proof-of-principle study

Niyousha MortazaProgram of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; ;Program of Applied Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; ;Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Correspondence[email protected]
ORCID Iconhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-9237-4031View further author information
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Zahra MoussaviProgram of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; ORCID Iconhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-9202-949XView further author information
ORCID Icon,
Katinka StecinaProgram of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; ;Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; ;Spinal cord Research Center, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; ORCID Iconhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-5341-2613View further author information
ORCID Icon,
Jennifer E. SalterFaculty of Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; View further author information
,
Steven R. PassmoreProgram of Applied Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; ;Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; ;Health, Leisure, and Human Performance Research Institute, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaView further author information
,
Phillip F. GardinerFaculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; ;Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; ;Spinal cord Research Center, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; ;Health, Leisure, and Human Performance Research Institute, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaView further author information
&
Cheryl M. GlazebrookProgram of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; ;Program of Applied Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; ;Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; ;Health, Leisure, and Human Performance Research Institute, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaORCID Iconhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-5908-4542View further author information
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Pages 1066-1075 | Received 21 Sep 2018, Accepted 12 Jun 2019, Published online: 05 Jul 2019
 
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Abstract

Aim: The present study describes the training effects of a novel motorized bicycle-like device for individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury.

Methods: Participants were five individuals with motor incomplete spinal cord injury (56 ± 7 years). Four of five participants received two 30-min sessions of training: one with, and one without, mechanical stimulation on the plantar surface of the foot; soleus paired H-reflex depression was examined before and after each session. Three of five participants received 24 sessions of 30-min of training (long-training). Following the long-training, balance, walking and spasticity improvements were assessed using validated clinical outcome measures, in addition to the H-reflex assessment.

Results: One cycling session with mechanical stimulation yielded 14% and 32% more reflex depression in participants with moderate spasticity (n = 2/4). The same trend was not observed in non-spastic participants (n = 2/4). All participants who participated in the long-training had spasticity and showed reduced spasticity, improved walking speed, endurance and balance.

Conclusions: Overall, participants with spasticity showed increased soleus H-reflex suppression after one training session with mechanical stimulation and reduced spasticity scores after long training. We interpret this as evidence that the training influenced both presynaptic and postsynaptic inhibitory mechanisms acting on soleus motoneurons. Therefore, this training has the potential to be a non-invasive complementary therapy to reduce spasticity after incomplete spinal cord injury.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02554058.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by University of Manitoba Research Grants Program and Manitoba Graduate Scholarship.

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