Epidural stimulation with locomotor training ameliorates unstable blood pressure after tetraplegia. A case report. Issue 2 (23rd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gorgey, Ashraf S.; Sutor, Tommy W.; Goldsmith, Jacob A.; Ennasr, Areej N.; Lavis, Timothy D.; Cifu, David X.; Trainer, Robert
• Is Part Of: Annals of clinical and translational neurology. Volume 9:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 232
• Page End: 238
• Publication Date: 2022-01-23
• Subjects: Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51508
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2328-9503

Abstract

Abstract: A male with C7 complete tetraplegia participated in 14 weeks of body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) combined with spinal cord epidural stimulation (SCES), 4 weeks of no intervention, and two more weeks of BWSTT + SCES. The participant presented with unstable resting seated blood pressure (BP; 131/66 mmHg). After retrospective analysis, resting systolic BP decreased and diastolic BP increased, yielding a safe mean arterial BP. There was a fivefold increase in BWSTT bouts per session, and percentage of body weight support decreased to 69%. BWSTT + SCES safely and effectively regulated resting BP and mitigated symptoms of orthostatic intolerance. These effects were not maintained after 4 weeks without training.