Page 86 - GTM-3-1
P. 86
Global Translational Medicine BCI-FES with static magnetic field in SCI
Figure 2. Illustration of participants during the interventions.
Abbreviations: sFESs: Surface functional electrical stimulation; sNES: Surface neuroelectric signal; SMF: Static magnetic field; VRPN: Virtual-Reality
Peripheral Network.
However, Beros et al. investigated the effects of SMF The total session duration, from the participant’s arrival at
31
application (6 and 48 h, 0.5 T) on the structural plasticity of the laboratory until departure, was, on average, 1 h. The
the axon initial segment in primary cortical neurons. Their actual time of the intervention alone lasted approximately
findings revealed that after 6 h of SMF, there was a shortening 25 – 30 min. The mean (standard deviation) duration of the
in the average length of the axon initial segment compared set of experiments for assembly and disassembly was 406.6
to the control, which persisted 24 h after stimulation. In ± 84.86 s and 102.2 ± 20.20 s, respectively. By observing the
contrast, 48 h of SMF treatment induced an immediate distal time intervals during the performance of each stage of the
shift that persisted for 24 h after stimulation, suggesting that intervention, the training time was gradually increased,
SMF can induce neural plasticity and last longer than the which can be explained by the training of the intervention
stimulation period. Although this study was carried out on stage despite having received the therapist’s start of the
primary cortical neurons, it demonstrated alterations in collection from the participant. During the sessions, the
neural activity and the induction of neural plasticity. Further ease and simplicity of the physical disassembly ensure
exploration is required, especially in spinal cord plasticity, to that resources are readily available. This consideration is
understand its effects and mechanisms. important because the assembly/disassembly period can
influence the intervention level, not only in the laboratory
3.3.2. Neuroelectrical signals and functional electrical but also in clinical settings, mainly in public services that
stimulation interface serve a great demand for patients and at home.
As indicated earlier, there was no improvement in the
neuromuscular condition in the present study. Despite this 3.3.3. User learning curve
limitation, the BCI can be used as an auxiliary device for the During the sessions, a gradual optimization was observed in
movement of paralyzed muscles in individuals with SCI. the performance of the interventions, number of repetitions
Volume 3 Issue 1 (2024) 6 https://doi.org/10.36922/gtm.2285

