Biomaterial Database

Electrical stimulation of denervated muscle: is it worthwhile? 1996

A Eberstein, and S Eberstein

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, NY 10016, USA.

Research conducted over the past 25 years has demonstrated that muscle activity, not neurotrophic substances, is the most important factor in the regulation of specific physiological and biochemical properties of muscle fibers. Application of this knowledge has led to considerable experimentation with chronic electrical stimulation as a possible clinical tool for the treatment of denervated muscles. Evidence accumulated from animal studies has indicated that direct electrical stimulation of denervated muscles can to a large extent substitute for innervation and preserve or restore the normal properties of the muscles. Appropriate stimulation parameters were critical for a successful intervention, and the best results were obtained when the stimulation pattern resembled the firing pattern of the normal motoneuron. Thus, fast muscles required intermittent, brief, high frequency stimulation and slow muscles needed continuous, low frequency stimulation. For human denervated muscles, critical questions still remain to be resolved before electrical stimulation will yield the optimum benefit. Research must be performed in human subjects to define the appropriate stimulation parameters the stimulation current, and the type and placement of electrodes.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009119	Muscle Contraction	A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments.	Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D009121	Muscle Denervation	The resection or removal of the innervation of a muscle or muscle tissue.	Denervation, Muscle,Denervations, Muscle,Muscle Denervations
D009133	Muscular Atrophy	Derangement in size and number of muscle fibers occurring with aging, reduction in blood supply, or following immobilization, prolonged weightlessness, malnutrition, and particularly in denervation.	Atrophy, Muscle,Neurogenic Muscular Atrophy,Neurotrophic Muscular Atrophy,Atrophies, Muscle,Atrophies, Muscular,Atrophies, Neurogenic Muscular,Atrophies, Neurotrophic Muscular,Atrophy, Muscular,Atrophy, Neurogenic Muscular,Atrophy, Neurotrophic Muscular,Muscle Atrophies,Muscle Atrophy,Muscular Atrophies,Muscular Atrophies, Neurogenic,Muscular Atrophies, Neurotrophic,Muscular Atrophy, Neurogenic,Muscular Atrophy, Neurotrophic,Neurogenic Muscular Atrophies,Neurotrophic Muscular Atrophies
D009135	Muscular Diseases	Acquired, familial, and congenital disorders of SKELETAL MUSCLE and SMOOTH MUSCLE.	Muscle Disorders,Myopathies,Myopathic Conditions,Muscle Disorder,Muscular Disease,Myopathic Condition,Myopathy
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
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D018482	Muscle, Skeletal	A subtype of striated muscle, attached by TENDONS to the SKELETON. Skeletal muscles are innervated and their movement can be consciously controlled. They are also called voluntary muscles.	Anterior Tibial Muscle,Gastrocnemius Muscle,Muscle, Voluntary,Plantaris Muscle,Skeletal Muscle,Soleus Muscle,Muscle, Anterior Tibial,Muscle, Gastrocnemius,Muscle, Plantaris,Muscle, Soleus,Muscles, Skeletal,Muscles, Voluntary,Skeletal Muscles,Tibial Muscle, Anterior,Voluntary Muscle,Voluntary Muscles