Massey, Sarah; Halpern, Lara; Lopez-Belmonte Deza, Eugenia; Suganthan, Sujeev; Duffell, Lynsey; (2025) Optimal parameters for lower limb afferent nerve root activation using transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation in healthy adults. In: Proceedings of the 15th Vienna International Workshop on Functional Electrical Stimulation. International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society (IFESS): Vienna, Austria.

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Abstract

Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a promising rehabilitation technology following spinal cord injury. However, stimulation parameters across research groups are inconsistent and the effects of changing parameters such as frequency and pulse width remain largely unknown. This study consisted of two experiments: i) to compare the optimal pulse width for recruiting afferent fibres using peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) versus tSCS, and; ii) to assess the effects of short sub-motor threshold bursts of tSCS at varying frequency on spinal and corticospinal excitability. Experiments were conducted on healthy human participants and outcomes were measured by electromyography at the soleus muscle. In experiment 1, recruitment curves were performed with PNS and tSCS at pulse widths ranging from 0.2- 2ms and strength-duration curves were generated. In experiment 2, sub-motor threshold 1-sec bursts of tSCS were applied at varying frequency (1-100Hz) immediately followed by corticospinally or spinally evoked potentials. Results showed that the optimal pulse width for recruiting afferent fibres with tSCS is lower than PNS (0.3 versus 1.3ms) and higher frequency tSCS is optimal both for corticospinal facilitation.

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