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Influence of dorsal column stimulation (DCS) on spastic movement disorders

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Summary

Dorsal column stimulation in two spastic patients with upper motor neurone disease showed the following effects:

  1. 1.

    The subjective feeling of stiffness decreased. During DCS patients were able to walk longer distances without rest.

  2. 2.

    The ability to perform fast alternating or synchronous “pedal-pressing” foot movements improved by 15%.

  3. 3.

    The threshold of H-reflexes was enhanced up to 12%, and outlasted the end of stimulation by two minutes.

  4. 4.

    The H-reflex amplitude was depressed in relation to intensity and duration of DC-stimulation up to 10 minutes after the end of DCS.

  5. 5.

    A late second facilitatory wave at 300 msec in the curve for H-reflexes conditioned by a short tibial stimulus was inhibited during DCS.

Although the hyperexcitability of the H-reflex was dampened significantly during DCS the whole motor disturbance improved only slightly.

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References

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Author notes

  1. U. Thoden,  H. M. Straßburg &  H. Zimmermann

    Present address: Neurologische Universitätsklinik mit Abteilung für Neurophysiologie, Hansastraße 9, D-7800, Freiburg i. Br., Federal Republic of Germany

  2. J. -U. Krainick

    Present address: Department of Stereotactical Neurosurgery, Universität des Saarlandes, D-6650, Homburg, Saar, Federal Republic of Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, University Freiburg/Breisgau, Federal Republic of Germany

    U. Thoden,  J. -U. Krainick,  H. M. Straßburg &  H. Zimmermann

Authors
  1. U. Thoden
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  2. J. -U. Krainick
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  3. H. M. Straßburg
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  4. H. Zimmermann
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Additional information

Supported by Sonderforschungsbereich Hirnforschung und Sinnesphysiologie (SFB 70) der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the Bundesminister für Arbeit und Sozialordnung Bonn-Bad Godesberg.

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Thoden, U., Krainick, J.U., Straßburg, H.M. et al. Influence of dorsal column stimulation (DCS) on spastic movement disorders. Acta neurochir 39, 233–240 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01406733

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01406733

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