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Superimposed single impulse and pulse train electrical stimulation: A quantitative assessment during submaximal isometric knee extension in young, healthy men

Miller, Michael LU ; Downham, D and Lexell, Jan LU (1999) In Muscle and Nerve 22(8). p.1038-1046
Abstract
Superimposed electrical stimulation techniques can be used to detect central activation failure (CAF), defined as incomplete central nervous system recruitment, suboptimal activation of motor units, or both. The purpose of this study was to evaluate superimposed electrical stimulation techniques to be used to detect CAF during isometric knee extension. We performed three sets of experiments and compared the torque increments from transcutaneous electrical stimulation with: (i) single impulses of different amplitudes (100 V, 150 V, and 200 V) and a pulse train of 100 Hz (100 V, 100 ms); (ii) pulse trains (100 Hz, 100 V) of different lengths (100 ms, 200 ms, and 300 ms); and (iii) pulse trains (100 Hz, 100 ms) of different amplitudes (50 V,... (More)
Superimposed electrical stimulation techniques can be used to detect central activation failure (CAF), defined as incomplete central nervous system recruitment, suboptimal activation of motor units, or both. The purpose of this study was to evaluate superimposed electrical stimulation techniques to be used to detect CAF during isometric knee extension. We performed three sets of experiments and compared the torque increments from transcutaneous electrical stimulation with: (i) single impulses of different amplitudes (100 V, 150 V, and 200 V) and a pulse train of 100 Hz (100 V, 100 ms); (ii) pulse trains (100 Hz, 100 V) of different lengths (100 ms, 200 ms, and 300 ms); and (iii) pulse trains (100 Hz, 100 ms) of different amplitudes (50 V, 100 V, 150 V, and 200 V). Stimulation was evaluated at submaximal (80% of MVC) isometric knee extension in 24 healthy young men using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Electrodes were placed over the rectus femoris muscle and all stimulation impulses were monophasic, rectangular waves of 0.2-ms duration. Pulse train stimulation at 100 V always elicited a torque increment, whereas single impulse stimulation, even at 200 V, only caused a torque increment in about half of the trials. For each subject, the pulse train generated a significantly larger torque increment than for any of the three single impulses. There was no significant difference in torque increment between the three pulse trains of different lengths. Pulse trains at 150 V and 200 V generated significantly larger torque increments than at 50 V and 100 V. High-frequency maximal train stimulation may thus improve the detection of CAF during isometric knee extension. Detection of CAF may be important in the clinical assessment of muscle weakness, investigating the mechanisms underlying muscle weakness, and evaluating potential therapeutic strategies. (Less)
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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
electric stimulation, isometric contraction, motor neurons, muscles, muscle contraction, recruitment, volition
in
Muscle and Nerve
volume
22
issue
8
pages
1038 - 1046
publisher
John Wiley & Sons Inc.
external identifiers
  • pmid:10417784
  • scopus:0032813574
ISSN
0148-639X
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Neurosurgery (013026000), Division of Physiotherapy (Closed 2012) (013042000)
id
12b3d36a-0023-4426-8b9a-4cfadb40cad5 (old id 1115575)
alternative location
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/62502953/PDFSTART
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 12:16:00
date last changed
2022-04-21 05:04:11
@article{12b3d36a-0023-4426-8b9a-4cfadb40cad5,
  abstract     = {{Superimposed electrical stimulation techniques can be used to detect central activation failure (CAF), defined as incomplete central nervous system recruitment, suboptimal activation of motor units, or both. The purpose of this study was to evaluate superimposed electrical stimulation techniques to be used to detect CAF during isometric knee extension. We performed three sets of experiments and compared the torque increments from transcutaneous electrical stimulation with: (i) single impulses of different amplitudes (100 V, 150 V, and 200 V) and a pulse train of 100 Hz (100 V, 100 ms); (ii) pulse trains (100 Hz, 100 V) of different lengths (100 ms, 200 ms, and 300 ms); and (iii) pulse trains (100 Hz, 100 ms) of different amplitudes (50 V, 100 V, 150 V, and 200 V). Stimulation was evaluated at submaximal (80% of MVC) isometric knee extension in 24 healthy young men using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Electrodes were placed over the rectus femoris muscle and all stimulation impulses were monophasic, rectangular waves of 0.2-ms duration. Pulse train stimulation at 100 V always elicited a torque increment, whereas single impulse stimulation, even at 200 V, only caused a torque increment in about half of the trials. For each subject, the pulse train generated a significantly larger torque increment than for any of the three single impulses. There was no significant difference in torque increment between the three pulse trains of different lengths. Pulse trains at 150 V and 200 V generated significantly larger torque increments than at 50 V and 100 V. High-frequency maximal train stimulation may thus improve the detection of CAF during isometric knee extension. Detection of CAF may be important in the clinical assessment of muscle weakness, investigating the mechanisms underlying muscle weakness, and evaluating potential therapeutic strategies.}},
  author       = {{Miller, Michael and Downham, D and Lexell, Jan}},
  issn         = {{0148-639X}},
  keywords     = {{electric stimulation; isometric contraction; motor neurons; muscles; muscle contraction; recruitment; volition}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{8}},
  pages        = {{1038--1046}},
  publisher    = {{John Wiley & Sons Inc.}},
  series       = {{Muscle and Nerve}},
  title        = {{Superimposed single impulse and pulse train electrical stimulation: A quantitative assessment during submaximal isometric knee extension in young, healthy men}},
  url          = {{http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/62502953/PDFSTART}},
  volume       = {{22}},
  year         = {{1999}},
}