Combination Of Electrical Stimulation Research Articles

Electrospun conductive nanofiber yarns for accelerating mesenchymal stem cells differentiation and maturation into Schwann cell-like cells under a combination of electrical stimulation and chemical induction

Development of multifunctional tube-filling materials is required to improve the performances of the existing nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) in the repair of long-gap peripheral nerve (PN) injuries. In this study, composite nanofiber yarns (NYs) based on poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) biopolymer and different concentrations of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were manufactured by utilizing a modified electrospinning apparatus. We confirmed the successful incorporation of CNTs into the PPDO nanofibers of as-fabricated composite NYs. The PPDO/CNT NYs exhibited similar morphology and structure in comparison with pure PPDO NYs. However, the PPDO/CNT NYs showed obviously enhanced mechanical properties and electrical conductivity compared to PPDO NYs. The biological tests revealed that the addition of CNTs had no negative effects on the cell growth, and proliferation of rabbit Schwann cells (rSCs), but it better maintained the phenotype of rSCs. We also demonstrated that the electrical stimulation (ES) significantly enhanced the differentiation capability of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs) into SC-like cells (SCLCs) on the PPDO/CNT NYs. More importantly, a unique combination of ES and chemical induction was found to further enhance the maturation of hADMSC-SCLCs on the PPDO/CNT NYs by notably upregulating the expression levels of SC myelination-associated gene markers and increasing the growth factor secretion. Overall, this study showed that our electrically conductive PPDO/CNT composite NYs could provide a beneficial microenvironment for various cell activities, making them an attractive candidate as NGC-infilling substrates for PN regeneration applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The morphology, microstructure, and bioelectrical properties of conductive PPDO/CNT NYs have been explored for guiding or controlling cell behaviors. The PPDO/CNT NYs exhibited improved mechanical properties and increased electrical conductivity compared to the CNT-free PPDO NYs. They also presented an obviously enhanced biocompatibility by effectively maintaining the phenotype of rSCs. In addition, when hADMSCs were seeded and cultured on the conductive PPDO/CNT NYs, CI was demonstrated to promote the SC-related growth factor secretion of hADMSCs, and ES was demonstrated to improve the phenotypic maturation of hADMSCs into myelinating SCLCs. Moreover, the combination of CI and ES was found to further synergistically enhance the maturation of hADMSC-SCLCs. The achievement of conductive PPDO/CNT NYs shows potential for application as NGC-infilling substrates for PN regeneration.

Application of the Mechanotherapy Devices Simulating Step-Like Movements in Combination with Electrical Stimulation in Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Summarizing the results of the world scientific data on this topic, the possibility to evoke step-like movements in the lower limbs of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) below the level of damage was noted. That was verified during electrical stimulation in combination with mechanotherapy, the electrodes application to the definite areas of spinal cord. In addition, we stated that these measures led to reduction of muscle hypertonus in the lower limbs, improvement of neuromuscular junction and tolerance towards increasing stimulation that were instrumentally confirmed. We stated that it is impossible to achieve the same effect using only one of these methods isolated. The first studies were carried out by implantation of epidural electrodes in the spinal cord, and later by a combination of electrical stimulation and step-like movements with the same frequency setting manually. During further technology development, stimulation became percutaneous, and the movements were carried out using robotic mechanotherapy. The advantage of this method is obvious: the specialist needs to set the initial parameters which are selected individually for the patient,to monitor the progress of the procedure and to fix changes. These devices include robotic systems which perform movements in the lower extremities with full and partial axial load. Currently a study of the device for robotic therapy in horizontal unsupported state is ongoing in rehabilitation clinic of FSBI NMCC n. a. N.I. Pirogov. Its excellence is support absense, the training is held in conditions of complete body weight unloading. Multimodal electrical stimulation is performed simultaneously with robotic therapy: percutaneous electrical stimulation of the spinal cord and functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the legs, back and abdomen muscles. It was stated that parameters of neurological status were improved significantly. This article presents the results of unsupported robotic mechanotherapy`s clinical testing in the SCI patients rehabilitation.

Combination of electrical stimulation and bFGF synergistically promote neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells and neurite extension to construct 3D engineered neural tissue

Objective. The construction of in vitro three-dimensional (3D) neural tissue has to overcome two main types of challenges: (1) How to obtain enough number of functional neurons from stem cells in 3D culture; (2) How to wire those lately developed neurons into functional neural networks. Here, we describe the potential of using direct current (DC) electric field (EF) together with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) synergistically in promoting neural stem cell (NSC) neuronal differentiation following by directing neurite outgrowth in the 3D neural tissue construction. Approach. By adjusting the electrical stimulation setup in this study, long-term electrical stimulation could be present in vitro. At an EF strength of 150 mV mm−1, cell responses, including cell viability, neuronal differentiation, cell morphology, the length of neuronal processes, synaptic structure and neural network formation, were quantified and analyzed. Main results. Analysis revealed that NSCs showed no significant cell death after certain EF treatments. EF-stimulated NSCs in 3D Matrigel mainly differentiated into neurons, but unlike NSCs in two-dimensional conditions, their processes were flat and stunted. When combined with bFGF, EF stimulation provided appropriate bioactive cues to establish engineered neural tissue with a proper neuronal cell number, highly branched neurites, and a well-developed neuronal network. Significance. It is for the first time the synergistic effects of EF and bFGF stimulation have been evaluated in inducing the differentiation of NSCs into neurons and the acquisition of long neurites in a culture environment of in vitro 3D model. These optimized conditions may allow a well-developed neuronal network to be established within hydrogel droplets.

Electrospun Conductive Nanofiber Yarns Accelerating Mesenchymal Stem Cells Differentiation and Maturation into Schwann Cell-Like Cells Under a Combination of Electrical Stimulation and Chemical Induction

Development of multifunctional tube-filling materials is required to improve the performances of the existing nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) in the repair of long-gap peripheral nerve (PN) injuries. In this study, composite nanofiber yarns (NYs) based on poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) biopolymer and different concentrations of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were manufactured by utilizing a modified electrospinning apparatus. We confirmed the successful incorporation of CNTs into the PPDO nanofibers of as-fabricated composite NYs. The PPDO/CNT NYs exhibited similar morphology and structure in comparison with pure PPDO NYs. However, the PPDO/CNT NYs showed obviously enhanced mechanical properties and electrical conductivity compared to PPDO NYs. The biological tests revealed that the addition of CNTs had no negative effects on the cell adhesion, growth, and proliferation of rabbit Schwann cells (rSCs), but it better maintained the phenotype of rSCs. We also demonstrated that the electrical stimulation (ES) significantly enhanced the differentiation capability of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs) into SC-like cells (SCLCs) on the PPDO/CNT NYs. More importantly, a unique combination of ES and chemical induction was found to further enhance the maturation of hADMSC-SCLCs on the PPDO/CNT NYs by notably upregulating the expression levels of SC myelination-associated gene markers and increasing the growth factor secretion. Overall, this study showed that our electrically conductive PPDO/CNT composite NYs could provide a beneficial microenvironment for various cell activities, making them an attractive candidate as NGC-infilling substrates for PN regeneration applications.

Effects of electrical stimulation and pre-rigor conditioning temperature on aging potential of hot-boned beef M. longissimus lumborum.

The objective of this study was to create various pH/temp decline rates in hot-boned bull beef M.longissimus lumborum (LL) through a combination of electrical stimulation (ES) and pre-rigor holding temperature. The relationship between the pre-rigor interventions, the activities of µ-calpain and small heat shock proteins (sHSP), and the impacts on meat product quality were determined. Paired LL loins from 13 bulls were hot-boned within 40min of slaughter, immediately ES and subjected to various holding temperatures (5, 15, 25, and 35°C) for 3hr. The rate of muscle pH decline, sarcomere length, shear force, and proteolysis of muscle proteins were measured. ES-25°C had a longer sarcomere length compared to non-electrical stimulation samples. ES-25°C and ES-35°C samples had lower shear force values, higher µ-calpain activity and higher desmin, troponin-T, and sHSP degradation. The above findings suggest that pH/temp decline rates created in hot-boned muscle impacted muscle protein proteolysis by increasing the activity of proteases and degradation of sHSP.

Buzzing Sympathetic Nerves: A New Test to Enhance Anisocoria in Horner's Syndrome.

Introduction: Patients with suspected Horner's syndrome having equivocal pupil dilation lag and pharmacologic testing may undergo unnecessary MR imaging and work up in the case of false positive pupil test results. Our goal was to increase the diagnostic accuracy of pupillometry by accentuating the inter-ocular asymmetry of sympathetic innervation to the iris dilator with surface electrical stimulation of the median nerve using a standard electromyography machine. We hypothesized that an accentuated difference in sympathetic response between the two eyes would facilitate the diagnosis of Horner's syndrome.Methods: Eighteen patients with pharmacologically proven Horner's syndrome were compared to ten healthy volunteers tested before and after monocular instillation of 0.2% brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution to induce pharmacological Horner's syndrome. Pupillary responses were measured with binocular pupillometry in response to sympathetic activation by electrical stimulation of the median nerve in darkness and at various times after extinction of a light stimulus. Sudomotor sympathetic responses from the palm of the stimulated arm were recorded simultaneously.Results: In subjects with Horner's syndrome and pharmacologically induced unilateral sympathetic deficit, electrical stimulation in combination with the extinction of light greatly enhanced the anisocoria during the evoked pupil dilation, while there was no significant increase in anisocoria in healthy subjects. The asymmetry of the sympathetic response was greatest when the electrical stimulus was given 2 s after termination of the light or under constant low light conditions. When given 2 s after termination of light, the electrical stimulation increased the mean anisocoria from 1.0 to 1.2 mm in Horner's syndrome (p = 0.01) compared to 0.22–0.26 mm in healthy subjects (p = 0.1). In all subjects, the maximal anisocoria induced by the electrical stimulation appeared within a 2 s interval after the stimulus. Correspondingly, the largest change in anisocoria between light and dark without electrical stimulation was seen between 3 and 4 s after light-off. While stronger triple stimulation further enhanced the anisocoria, it was less well tolerated.Conclusions: Electrical stimulation 2 s after light-off greatly enhances the sensitivity of pupillometry for diagnosing Horner's syndrome. This new method may help to rule in or rule out a questionable Horner's syndrome, especially if the results of topical pharmacological testing are inconclusive.

Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in combination with glutamine administration on skeletal muscle atrophy in colon 26 tumor-bearing mice

Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in combination with glutamine administration on skeletal muscle atrophy in colon 26 tumor-bearing mice

Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Combination with Saliva or Dry Swallowing in Stroke Patients with Dysphagia

Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Combination with Saliva or Dry Swallowing in Stroke Patients with Dysphagia

Isoflurane MAC determination in dogs using three intensities of constant-current electrical stimulation

ObjectivesTo compare isoflurane minimum alveolar concentrations (MACs) in dogs determined using three intensities of constant-current electrical stimulation applied at the tail, and thoracic and pelvic limbs, and to compare isoflurane MACs obtained with all combinations of electrical stimulation and anatomic site with those obtained using the tail clamp as the noxious stimulus. Study designRandomized trial. AnimalsSix mixed-breed, adult female dogs aged 1–2 years and weighing 11.1 ± 4.4 kg. MethodsIn each dog, MAC was determined by the bracketing method with the tail clamp (MACTAILCLAMP), and three electrical currents (10 mA, 30 mA, 50 mA) at three anatomic sites (thoracic limb, pelvic limb, tail). Each MAC achieved with electrical stimulation was compared with MACTAILCLAMP using a mixed-model anova and Dunnett's procedure for multiple comparisons. The effects of current intensity and anatomic site on isoflurane MAC were tested using a mixed-model anova followed by Tukey's test for multiple comparisons (p < 0.05). ResultsMean MACTAILCLAMP was 1.69%. MACs achieved with currents of 30 mA and 50 mA did not differ independently of anatomic site. When currents of 10 mA were applied to the tail and thoracic limb, resulting MACs were lower than those obtained using currents of 30 mA and 50 mA. Currents of 30 mA and 50 mA provided MACs that did not differ from those of MACTAILCLAMP, whereas a current of 10 mA achieved the same result only for the pelvic limb. Conclusions and clinical relevanceIsoflurane MAC is affected by current intensity and anatomic site. Current intensities of 30 mA and 50 mA provided consistent results when applied to the tail, and thoracic and pelvic limbs that did not differ from those obtained using the tail clamp. Consequently, they can be used in place of the tail clamp in MAC studies in dogs.

Facilitated Neural Differentiation of Adipose Tissue–Derived Stem Cells by Electrical Stimulation and Nurr-1 Gene Transduction

Neuron-like cells derived from adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been considered one of the most promising cells for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and neurotrauma in the central nervous system (CNS). Thus far, extensive efforts have been made to facilitate neuronal differentiation of ADSCs, but limited progress has been achieved. In the present study, we tested the possibility of using a combination of electrical stimulation (ES) with Nurr-1 gene transduction to promote neuronal differentiation of ADSCs. The tolerance of ADSCs to ES was first examined by a cell apoptosis assay. The proliferation of cells was characterized using a CCK-8 assay. The morphology of cells was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The differentiation of ADSCs into neuron-like cells was examined by immunocytochemistry (ICC)–immunofluorescence staining, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The gene expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2), β-tubulin, neurofilament 200 (NF-200), octamer binding transcription factor 4 (OCT-4), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) after stimulation was examined by qRT-PCR. We found that the optimal intensity of ES for neuronal differentiation of ADSCs was 1 V/cm. In addition, ES combined with Nurr-1 gene transduction increased the neuronal differentiation rate of ADSCs, the length of neurite-like processes, and the secretion of dopamine. Further studies showed that a combination of ES with Nurr-1 gene transduction was capable of promoting the expression of MAP-2, β-tubulin, and NF-200 but decreased the expression of OCT-4 and GFAP. All of these findings indicate that a combination of ES with Nurr-1 gene transduction could facilitate neuronal differentiation of ADSCs, which raises the possibility of its application in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and neurotrauma in the CNS.

Cervical Spinal Stimulation and Respiratory Recovery after Upper Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Over half of all spinal cord injuries (SCI) occur at the cervical level leading to disruption of bulbospinal pathways to respiratory motor neurons, respiratory muscle paralysis, and diminished breathing capacity. Of the 6,000 new cervical spinal injuries per year, ~20% will require mechanical ventilatory support. Even when mechanical ventilation is not necessary, breathing impairment greatly increases susceptibility to life‐threatening lung infections. In fact, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cervical SCI is respiratory impairment. In this study, rats were implanted with bilateral cervical (C4) stimulating electrodes and bilateral diaphragm EMG recording electrodes. Our previous data have shown that cervical spinal stimulation elicits evoked potentials and modulates diaphragm EMG (Dale et al., 2015). In this study, after obtaining baseline data, rats were given a C2 hemisection (C2HS). After recovery, rats were placed in either control (evoked potentials only; n=6) or Quipazine + stimulation (n=8) groups and were tested at 1, 2, and 4 weeks post‐C2HS. After eliciting spinal evoked potentials (SEP) of increasing intensity, rats received Quipazine (0.3mg/kg; IP), a broad‐spectrum serotonergic agonist, and diaphragm EMG was recorded for 20 min. Next, each rat received 3 bouts (interspersed with 5 min no stim) of cervical stimulation (bipolar) at increasing frequencies but at sub‐motor threshold intensity (5 min at 40Hz, 5min at 80Hz, and 5 min at 100Hz). Another set of SEPs was elicited upon stimulation completion. Our goal is to restore respiratory function in a rat model of cervical spinal injury by utilizing cervical spinal epidural electrical stimulation in combination with serotonergic agonists (e.g. quipazine). By inducing respiratory plasticity after synergistic modulation of the phrenic motor network (e.g. cervical epidural stimulation plus quipazine), we hypothesize that enhancing the contributions from spared motor neurons could be an avenue for preserving ventilatory capacity. This project may lead to novel therapies to extend and improve life for patients with cervical spinal cord injury by preserving breathing.Support or Funding InformationChristopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and NIH U01EB007615

Optimization of electrical stimulation parameters for MG-63 cell proliferation on chitosan/functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube films

Combination of electrical stimulation with CNT-based conductive films and obtaining optimum signal parameters for MG-63 cells.

Chronic sodium salicylate administration enhances population spike long-term potentiation following a combination of theta frequency primed-burst stimulation and the transient application of pentylenetetrazol in rat CA1 hippocampal neurons

The effect of chronic administration of sodium salicylate (NaSal) on the excitability and synaptic plasticity of the rodent hippocampus was investigated. Repeated systemic treatment with NaSal reliably induced tolerance to the anti-nociceptive effect of NaSal (one i.p. injection per day for 6 consecutive days). Following chronic NaSal or vehicle treatment, a series of electrophysiological experiments on acute hippocampal slices (focusing on the CA1 circuitry) were tested whether tolerance to NaSal would augment pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) and /or epileptic activity, and whether the augmentation was the same after priming activity with a natural stimulus pattern prior to PTZ. We noted an altered synaptic input-to-spike transformation, such that neuronal firing increased after a given synaptic drive. Population spike-LTP (PS-LTP) was increased in the NaSal-tolerant animals, but only when it was induced via a combination of electrical stimulation (theta pattern primed-burst stimulation) and the transient application of PTZ. Identifying and understanding these changes in neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity following chronic salicylate treatment could prove useful in the clinical diagnosis or treatment of chronic aspirin-induced, or even idiopathic, seizure activity.

Treatment with protein kinase C activator is effective for improvement of male pronucleus formation and further embryonic development of sperm-injected oocytes in pigs

To assist the process of oocyte activation, which is essential for promotion of fertilization events, i.e., resumption of meiosis, extrusion of the second polar body and formation of the pronucleus (PN), artificial stimuli such as an electrical pulse have been applied to porcine oocytes after injection of sperm. However, the efficiency of fertilization and embryonic development remains low. It is well known that in vertebrates, inactivation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase is required for oocyte activation. We have hypothesized that even after electrical stimulation of sperm-injected oocytes, MAP kinase may not be inactivated. As it has been reported that MAP kinase activity is regulated by protein kinase C, we examined the effectiveness of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a protein kinase C activator, for improvement of fertilization and embryonic development of sperm-injected porcine oocytes. First, we examined the concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 μM) and durations (0, 1, 3, 5 hours) of PMA treatment that were efficient for the extrusion of two polar bodies and formation of two PNs (2PB+2PN) and embryonic development. When the sperm-injected oocytes were treated with 0.01-μM PMA for 3 hours after electrical stimulation, the rates of 2PB+2PN and embryonic development were higher than those in the other treatment groups. We then examined the effect of PMA treatment (0.01 μM, 3 hours) on MAP kinase activity. Unexpectedly, after electrical stimulation, the activity remained low until PN formation, irrespective of whether or not the oocytes had been treated with PMA. On the other hand, transformation of the injected sperm nucleus into the male PN was accelerated after the PMA treatment. Our present results suggest that the low efficiency of fertilization and embryonic development in sperm-injected oocytes is not due to high activity of MAP kinase but due to poor transformation of the injected sperm nucleus into the male PN. Furthermore, a combination of electrical stimulation and PMA is a fairly effective artificial protocol for promoting 2PB+2PN and embryonic development in sperm-injected porcine oocytes.

Impact of hearing aid use on auditory perception and verbal short-term memory in children with bimodal stimulation

Introduction: The combination of electric stimulation from cochlear implant (CI) with acoustic stimulation from hearing aid (HA), otherwise known as bimodal hearing, may provide several binaural benefits including binaural summation, binaural squelch, reduction of the head shadow effect, and improved localization. Purpose: This study investigated the influence of preoperative rehabilitation and bilateral HA use, bimodal stimulation post-implantation (CI on one ear and HA on the non-implanted ear) and hearing thresholds in the implanted and the non-implanted ear on auditory perception and verbal short-term memory. Method: Immediate verbal memory test for Serbian language consisting of four subtest was used for auditory perception testing on 21 pre-lingually deaf children. Results: Duration of bimodal hearing proved to be significant in the terms of auditory perception and verbal short-term memory. Mid- and high-frequency amplified thresholds on the non-implanted ear were correlated with poorer perception and reproduction of monosyllables and nonsense words. Conclusion: Duration of bimodal hearing proved to be significant in the terms of auditory perception, speech reproduction and semantic ability. Patients with a unilateral cochlear implant who have measurable residual hearing in the non-implanted ear should be individually fitted with a hearing aid in that ear, to improve speech perception and maximize binaural sensitivity. Key words: hearing aid, bimodal stimulation, auditory perception, short term memory

Effects of Electrical Stimulation of the Cerebellum and Injections of Levetiracetam on Aggressive Behavior of Kindling Rats

In rats with the corazole-induced kindling syndrome, we estimated the conditions for the appearance of battles on an electrified floor; the threshold for initiation of aggressive reactions in kindling animals was lower, on average, by 41.5%, as compared with the corresponding index in intact animals. Combination of electrical stimulation (ES) of the paleocerebellar cortex (lobules V-VII; 100 sec –1 ; altogether 10 sessions of ES) and injection of levetiracetam (40.0 mg/kg, i.p.), which per se did not influence significantly aggressive behavior of kindling rats, led to an increase in the threshold for the appearance of battles, on average, by 28.8% (P < 0.05), compared with the initial value in the tested animals, i.e., to a drop in the level of aggressiveness.

The preventive effects of middle frequency electrical stimulation combined with eccentric contraction on disuse atrophy in deep portion of calf muscles (1163.5)

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the combined effect of electrical stimulation using middle frequency (ES) and eccentric contraction on disuse atrophy in deep portion of calf muscles induced by hindlimb unloading . Rats were randomly divided into the control, hindlimb unloading for 2 weeks (HU), HU plus ES combined concentric (HU+cES), isometric (HU+iES), and eccentric (HU+eES) contraction groups. The animals in the ES groups were stimulated electrically using middle frequency current twice a day during the unloading period. Animals undergoing HU for 2 weeks exhibited the significant loss of muscle mass, decreased cross‐sectional area of muscle fibers, and overexpression of ubiquitinated protein in the soleus muscles compared with the control animals. HU+eES inhibited the HU‐induced loss of muscle mass, decreased cross‐sectional area of muscle fibers in the soleus muscles. In addition, the HU+eES inhibited the overexpression of ubiquitinated protein in the soleus muscles. Furthermore, the HU+eES inhibited the HU‐induced above factors in the soleus muscles compared with ES combined using other types of contraction groups. These results suggested that the combination of electrical stimulation with eccentric contraction might contribute to higher preventive effects on muscle atrophy in the deep portion of calf muscle.Grant Funding Source: Supported by The Japanese Society of Physio Therapeutics

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation of the Cricothyroid Muscle in Patients With Suspected Superior Laryngeal Nerve Weakness

In this retrospective case study, we report the apparent clinical effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in combination with voice therapy (VT) for rehabilitating dysphonia secondary to suspected superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) weakness in two female patients. Both patients failed or plateaued with traditional VT but had significant improvement with the addition of NMES of the cricothyroid muscle and SLN using a VitalStim unit. Stimulation was provided simultaneously with voice exercises based on musical phonatory tasks. Both acoustic analysis and endoscopic evaluation demonstrated important improvements after treatment. In the first patient, the major change was obtained within the primo passaggio region; specifically, a decrease in voice breaks was demonstrated. In the second patient, an improvement in voice quality (less breathiness) and vocal range were the most important findings. Additionally, each patient reported a significant improvement in their voice complaints. Neuromuscular laryngeal electrical stimulation in combination with vocal exercises might be a useful tool to improve voice quality in patients with SLN injury.

Functional electrical stimulation in combination with robotic mechanic in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Objective/INS;: /INS;The aim of our research was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of functional electrical stimulation, combined with a robotic mechanical therapy in patients with central hemiparesis in acute ischemic stroke.

A System for Preventing and Recovering Bone Loss in Manned Spaceflight

Bone loss is a well-known consequence of skeletal unloading in long-duration spaceflight. Its prevention and recovery do not have a perfect solution and often require physical therapy. In this paper, we developed a system to prevent and recover bone loss with the combination of electrical stimulation (ES) and mechanical stimulation (MS). The system provides four-channel electrical stimulation and two mechanical stimulations. Various parameters of the stimulations can be tuned to achieve the best therapeutic effect.