Epidural Electrical Stimulation of the Lumbosacral Spinal Cord Improves Trunk Stability During Seated Reaching in Two Humans With Severe Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury

This study investigates whether electrical stimulation of the spinal cord can improve trunk stability and reaching ability in people with spinal cord injuries. The researchers applied stimulation to the lower spinal cord in two participants and measured how far they could reach while seated. The researchers found that electrical stimulation increased the distance participants could reach forward. They also tested different locations for the stimulation and found that stimulating the lower part of the spinal cord was more effective for improving forward reach. These findings suggest that spinal cord stimulation could be a useful tool for improving trunk stability and reaching ability in people with spinal cord injuries, potentially increasing their independence in daily activities.

• 1
  Epidural stimulation (ES) enhanced seated reaching-performance of individuals with chronic SCI.
• 2
  Forward reach distances were greater than lateral reach distances in all environments, mat or wheelchair, for both participants.
• 3
  Electrode configurations delivering stimulation in caudal regions of the lumbosacral spinal segments may improve reaching ability compared to rostral regions.