Neuroplasticity and functional change after therapy in inpatients with spinal cord injury - An explorative study

Kasper Leerskov, Erika G. Spaich, Søren Krogh Jensen, Helge Kasch, Søren Bruno Elmgreen, Lotte N. S. Andreasen Struijk

Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/conference proceedingConference abstract in proceedingResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Aim:
To investigate correlations between neuroplastic changes and the improvement of function in spinal cord injury (SCI) individuals following therapy. Of importance is whether neuroplastic changes throughout the entire neuroaxis are related to the clinical outcome, which is the functional gain observed following SCI therapy, or whether only restricted neurological areas of the neuroaxis are related to the functional gains.

Methods:
SCI Inpatients with minimally affected upper limbs are eligible for inclusion in the study. By using electroencephalography, electromyography and electrical stimulation, assessments of the nervous function at the motor cortex, somato-sensory cortex and the spine, are performed every two months during therapy. Assessment of movement-related cortical potentials and muscle activity are made during voluntary movement. Assessment of somato-sensory evoked potentials and conditioned Hoffmann reflexes are made during electrical stimulation. Prior to and after the investigation, SCIM III and ISNCSCI are assessed and correlated with possible neuroplastic changes.

Results:
Data regarding changes in amplitude and delay of movement-related cortical potentials, somato-sensory evoked potentials, conditioned H-reflexes and muscle activity, will be presented. Additionally, correlations between individual measures of plasticity and functional gain will be examined.

Conclusions:
This explorative study examines any significant relationship between eventual neuroplastic changes and the obtained functional gain, in order to elucidate which regions/levels of the neuroaxis are of interest and may play a role in the changes observed during recovery in SCI. The results may imply important networks, or confined areas to engage during rehabilitation.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAbstract book from the 16th Congress of the Nordic Spinal Cord Society : NosCoS2019
Publication date2019
Pages76
Article numberP17
Publication statusPublished - 2019
EventCongress of the Nordic Spinal Cord Society, NoSCoS -2019 copenhagen -
Duration: 11 Sept 201913 Sept 2019
https://noscos2019.org/programme/

Conference

ConferenceCongress of the Nordic Spinal Cord Society, NoSCoS -2019 copenhagen
Period11/09/201913/09/2019
Internet address

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