Electrically stimulated elbow extension in persons with C5/C6 tetraplegia: a functional and physiological evaluation.

Abstract

To measure the effect of electrically stimulated triceps on elbow extension strength, range of motion, and the performance of overhead reaching tasks. Clinical research laboratory. Four individuals with spinal cord injuries at the C5 or C6 motor level. The participants, who already had an implanted upper extremity neuroprosthesis, were provided with elbow extension through functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the triceps brachii. Comparisons of stimulated elbow extension to voluntary elbow extension: (1) evaluations of impairment such as range of motion and strength; (2) performance of a set of functional overhead reaching tasks that required elbow extension; (3) a usage survey (conducted by telephone) to examine use of triceps stimulation in the home and community. All participants achieved greater range of motion and strength of elbow extension with stimulated triceps versus without. Overall functional task performance improved in 100% of the tasks tested for all but one participant, who showed improvement in 60% of the tasks. Participants reported using the triceps in at least one activity for at least 90% of the days the neuroprosthesis was donned.