The effects of rectal probe electrostimulation on spinal cord injury spasticity. 1991

L S Halstead, and S W Seager
National Rehabilitation Hospital, Orlando, Florida.

Spasticity is a common sequel of spinal cord injury (SCI) with well documented effects on daily activities and increased morbidity. In the course of our fertility studies using rectal probe electrostimulation (RPES) and SCI men to produce ejaculation, we observed that a majority of the men experienced significant improvement in their spasticity for many hours. This paper describes a preliminary effort to quantitate this phenomenon in 14 consecutive subjects treated for anejaculation on 65 occasions in our SCI Fertility Clinic. The effectiveness of RPES on spasticity was evaluated by pre- and post-RPES subject assessment and neurological examinations and follow-up self reports via telephone interviews. Six of the 14 patients (42%) experienced excellent relief following 30 of 33 RPES treatments; 4 (29%) had good to fair relief following 14 of 15 RPES treatments and 4 (29%) had no effect on all 17 RPES trials. The mean duration of relief was 9 hours (3-24). There was no relation between subject age, age of injury, level or completeness of injury or ejaculatory response with relief of spasticity. All men taking medications felt RPES was more effective than drugs in relieving spasms. No untoward effects were reported and 7 (50%) said they would use a home model for daily RPES, if available.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007248 Infertility, Male The inability of the male to effect FERTILIZATION of an OVUM after a specified period of unprotected intercourse. Male sterility is permanent infertility. Sterility, Male,Sub-Fertility, Male,Subfertility, Male,Male Infertility,Male Sterility,Male Sub-Fertility,Male Subfertility,Sub Fertility, Male
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009128 Muscle Spasticity A form of muscle hypertonia associated with upper MOTOR NEURON DISEASE. Resistance to passive stretch of a spastic muscle results in minimal initial resistance (a "free interval") followed by an incremental increase in muscle tone. Tone increases in proportion to the velocity of stretch. Spasticity is usually accompanied by HYPERREFLEXIA and variable degrees of MUSCLE WEAKNESS. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p54) Clasp-Knife Spasticity,Spastic,Clasp Knife Spasticity,Spasticity, Clasp-Knife,Spasticity, Muscle
D012007 Rectum The distal segment of the LARGE INTESTINE, between the SIGMOID COLON and the ANAL CANAL. Rectums
D004542 Ejaculation The emission of SEMEN to the exterior, resulting from the contraction of muscles surrounding the male internal urogenital ducts. Ejaculations
D004599 Electric Stimulation Therapy Application of electric current in treatment without the generation of perceptible heat. It includes electric stimulation of nerves or muscles, passage of current into the body, or use of interrupted current of low intensity to raise the detection threshold of the skin to pain. Electrotherapy,Electrical Stimulation Therapy,Interferential Current Electrotherapy,Therapeutic Electric Stimulation,Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation,Therapy, Electric Stimulation,Electric Stimulation, Therapeutic,Electrical Stimulation, Therapeutic,Electrotherapy, Interferential Current,Stimulation Therapy, Electric,Stimulation Therapy, Electrical,Stimulation, Therapeutic Electric,Stimulation, Therapeutic Electrical,Therapy, Electrical Stimulation
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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