Effect of Electrostimulation on Denervated Muscles in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury

The aim of the study is to investigate whether there is an effect of electrical stimulation on the denervated gluteus muscle (buttocks) in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury. The expected outcome is an increase in muscle volume and a better pressure distribution during sitting. The stimulation of the gluteus muscle is performed daily for 35 minutes over a period of six months. The muscle volume and the pressure distribution are measured before stimulation, three months after having started stimulation and after six months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• chronic spinal cord injury (min. 2 years after injury)
• lesion height from T10-L5
• ASIA (American Spinal Cord Injury Association) Impairment Scale A

Exclusion Criteria:

• acute pressure sore in stimulated area (M. gluteus)
• arteriosclerosis
• skin irritation or infection in stimulated area (M. gluteus)
• < 3 months after plastic surgery in stimulated area (M. gluteus)