CASE REPORT article
Front. Rehabil. Sci.
Sec. Rehabilitation in Neurological Conditions
Volume 6 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fresc.2025.1557010
This article is part of the Research TopicNeuroengineering for health and disease: a multi-scale approachView all 7 articles
Spinal cord injury and electrical stimulation: analysis of neuroplasticity in a case report
Provisionally accepted
Orcizo Francisco Silvestre1,2*
Julia Silva e Lima Schleder1,3Bruna Valentina Zuchatti3Cintia Kelly Bittar4Carla Alves Fakih2Marina Squarizi Simões Chagas2Vinicius Taboni Lisboa2Alberto Cliquet Junior2- 1State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- 2Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- 3Faculty of Nursing, State University of Campinas, Campinas - SP, Brazil, Campinas, Brazil
- 4Faculty of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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Introduction: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a highly prevalent condition, with just below 1 million new cases yearly, deriving for traumatic and non-traumatic causes. It is a significant cause for disability, greatly impacting quality of life of affected individuals, and as such, requires effective rehabilitation methods in order to maintain daily function. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) is a helpful treatment, stimulating muscle contraction and plasticity through electrical currents. Methods: This is a Case-Report of two cases with different SCI causes, submitted to a one-year treatment with NMES under identical protocols. ASIA neurological examination with AIS classification was performed before and after treatment, as well as surface Electromyographic assessment for the Vastus Lateralis and Rectus Femoris muscles bilaterally. Results: Neurological recovery was remarkable after one year, with AIS increasing from a score of A to C in the first case and B to C in the second. EMG assessment showed a bilateral increase of peak values as well as successful Quadriceps muscle contraction generating knee extension. Conclusion: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation may be a promising strategy in the rehabilitation of spinal cord injuries, with the potential to aid in functional recovery and modulation of neuroplasticity. Preliminary observations, such as those in this case report, suggest that the technique may be associated with improvements in mobility and quality of life in patients, although controlled studies are needed to confirm these effects.
Keywords: spinal cord injury, Electrical Stimulation, post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, Trauma, Neuroplasicity
Received: 13 Jan 2025; Accepted: 04 Jun 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Francisco Silvestre, Silva e Lima Schleder, Valentina Zuchatti, Bittar, Alves Fakih, Squarizi Simões Chagas, Taboni Lisboa and Cliquet Junior. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Orcizo Francisco Silvestre, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
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