Changes in corticospinal excitability induced by neuromuscular electrical stimulation

• Author / Creator

  Mang, Cameron Scott

• This thesis describes experiments designed to investigate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on corticospinal (CS) excitability in humans. NMES delivered at 100 Hz was more effective for increasing CS excitability than 10-, 50-, or 200-Hz NMES. CS excitability increases occurred after 24 min of 100-Hz NMES, were strongest in the stimulated muscle, and were mediated primarily at a supraspinal level. NMES of the common peroneal nerve of the leg increased CS excitability in multiple leg muscles, whereas NMES of the median nerve of the hand increased CS excitability in only the muscle innervated by that nerve. Additionally, CS excitability for the hand increased after 40 min of relatively high intensity and frequency NMES but not after 2 h of lower intensity and frequency NMES. These results have implications for identifying optimal NMES parameters to augment CS excitability for rehabilitation after central nervous system injury.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Stimulation frequency
  • Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
  • Motor cortex
  • Corticospinal excitability
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation

• Graduation date

  Fall 2010

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3V400

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.