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Global Translational Medicine BCI-FES with static magnetic field in SCI

buffered saline solution. The spinal cord contains stem of screws in the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae, a
cells that can be activated during neuroplasticity. Thus, sublaminar hook in the first thoracic vertebra, and the
21
it is expected that the combination of SMF and NES-FES extraction of a loose blade from the sixth cervical vertebra.
will promote sufficient neuroplasticity for motor recovery The participant’s kinetic-functional diagnosis was spastic
after SCI. quadriplegia with a neurological level at C6 (sensory-C6,

Although the feasibility of using human-machine motor-T1)—classified as “A” on the Disability Scale (AIS1).
interfaces in the motor improvement of individuals He experienced urinary, intestinal, and sexual dysfunctions,
with SCI has been proven, one of the challenges in this requiring the permanent use of an indwelling urinary
10
area is to understand the mechanisms that can provide catheter due to a lack of bladder control. Bowel control
neuroplasticity, which remains uncertain. Thus, this work was absent, and stool evacuation was achieved every two
aimed to investigate the feasibility of applying sNES- days through an abdominal pressure maneuver, digit-anal
sFES with SMF to the response of the quadriceps femoris touch, and manual stool extraction. Furthermore, the
muscle group in a volunteer with a complete SCI. As a participant had erectile dysfunction and was unable to
primary hypothesis, an improvement in voluntary muscle report an ejaculation, even if it was retrograde.
contraction is expected in the quadriceps femoris, which 2.2. Neuromuscular assessment
has the function of knee extension and is important
for daily activities such as standing and walking. An Neuromuscular assessment was performed using surface
increase in local vascularization is expected to improve electromyography (sEMG) before the first intervention
sexual, intestinal, and urinary functions. The secondary (pre) and after the ninth session (post).
hypothesis suggests that training and intervention have a 2.2.1. Surface electromyography acquisition
gradual learning effect, resulting in greater mastery of the
sNES-sFES interface. The neuromuscular assessment was performed using
®
sEMG (Figure 1) with a Bitalino electromyograph and
2. Methods MuscleBIT model. The board operates using Bluetooth
technology, with a resolution of 10 bits per channel for
The ethics committee at the State University of Londrina the analog-to-digital converter and OpenSignals for
®
(CEP-UEL) approved the research involving human signal acquisition, controlled by a smartphone with an
participants (no. 4.060.700). The study was conducted Android operating system. The participant was instructed
in 2021 at the Neural Engineering and Rehabilitation to remain in his wheelchair, and asepsis with 70% ethyl
Laboratory (LENeR), located in the Department of alcohol was performed in the evaluated region (previously
Anatomy at UEL. The initial contact with the participant shaved by the participant). Then, four channels (3M
®
was through a brief telephone interview, during which Ag/AgCl electrodes) were positioned bilaterally over the
information regarding his injury was collected. In addition, rectus femoris and vastus lateralis muscles, and a reference
we briefly explained the project objectives and outlined electrode was positioned on the right iliac crest. The
how the interventions would be carried out. Subsequently,
the participant was invited to visit the laboratory to
provide informed consent, marking the initiation of the
research protocols. The laboratory administration covered
the transportation costs of the participants. During the
interventions, strict adherence to the current health
standards and recommendations of the World Health
Organization was maintained due to the COVID-19
pandemic.
2.1. Participant

The participant was a 46-year-old male who was a victim
of a car accident in November 2002. Magnetic resonance
imaging revealed lesions in the posterior lamina and
ligaments and an altered signal on T2 in the cervical cord
at C6 – C7. Computed tomography revealed complete
bilateral lesions of the C6 lamina and C7 vertebral bodies. Figure 1. Illustration of neuromuscular assessment equipment.
Consequently, surgical intervention was required to Equipment representing Bitalino reproduced from https://bitalino.com/
®
stabilize the cervical spine, which involved the fixation products/musclebit-bt.

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2024) 3 https://doi.org/10.36922/gtm.2285