The safety and efficacy of noninvasive spinal cord electrical stimulation has been thoroughly documented. Please refer to this list of published resources for more information.

 

List of Resources

 

Facebook – Spinal Stimulation Spina Bifida Gerti Motavalli

Instagram – @spinalstimgerti (videos of spinal stim and progress children made)

  

Published Research Article about Gerti Motavalli’s Spinal Stimulation:

The application of functional electrical stimulation and noninvasive spinal cord electrical stimulation (transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation) protocols to a 6-month old infant with myelomeningocele has not been previously reported in the medical literature. The observed gradual development of previously absent sensory and motor responses in this infant was novel, surprising, and encouraging. Functional electrical stimulation and spinal cord electrical stimulation are well tolerated and have minimal, transient adverse events when applied to infants with spina bifida. The initial positive outcomes and safety of the novel application of electrical stimulation for this case infant provide a basis for further research into a new intervention approach which could enhance development for infants born with spina bifida.

Published Article about NMES/FES for Peripheral Muscles:

Article by Jovial Lewis, PT, MPT, PCS and Yocheved Bensinger-Brody, PT, PhD, PCS in EP Magazine, November, 2022 issue:
https://spinalstim.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/E-Stim_Article-_EP_Magazine.pdf


Television News Articles:

 

Published articles about the use and safety of electrical stimulation

  1. Samejima, S. Caskey, C. D. Inanici, F. Multisite Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation for Walking and Autonomic Recovery in Motor-Incomplete Tetraplegia: A Single-Subject Design. Phys Ther 2022;102: DOI10.1093/ptj/pzab228. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that noninvasive spinal cord stimulation might promote recovery of locomotor and autonomic functions beyond traditional gait training in people with chronic incomplete cervical SCI. IMPACT: Multisite transcutaneous spinal stimulation may induce neuroplasticity of the spinal networks and confer functional benefits following chronic cervical SCI.
  1. Anastasia Keller1,2, Goutam Singh 1,2, et al. Noninvasive spinal stimulation safely enables upright posture in children with spinal cord injury NATURE COMMUNICATIONS | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-26026-z
  2. Solopova IA, Sukhotina IA, Zhvansky DS, et al. Effects of spinal cord stimulation on motor functions in children with cerebral palsy. Neurosci Lett. 2017;639:192-198.
  3. Krucoff MO, Rahimpour S, Slutzky MW, Edgerton VR, Turner DA. Enhancing Nervous System Recovery through Neurobiologics, Neural Interface Training, and Neurorehabilitation. Front Neurosci. 2016;10:584.
  4. Gerasimenko Y, Gad P, Sayenko D, et al. Integration of sensory, spinal, and volitional descending inputs in regulation of human locomotion. J Neurophysiol. 2016;116(1):98-105.
  5. Lee NG, Andrews E, Rosoklija I, et al. The effect of spinal cord level on sexual function in the spina bifida population. J Pediatr Urol. 2015;11(3):142 e141-146.
  6. Sayenko DG, Atkinson DA, Floyd TC, et al. Effects of paired transcutaneous electrical stimulation delivered at single and dual sites over lumbosacral spinal cord. Neurosci Lett. 2015;609:229-234.
  7. Shideler, B.L., et al., Toward a hybrid exoskeleton for crouch gait in children with cerebral palsy: neuromuscular electrical stimulation for improved knee extension. J Neuroeng Rehabil, 2020. 17(1): p. 121.
  8. Elnaggar, R.K., B.A. Alqahtani, and M.F. Elbanna, Functional outcomes of botulinum neurotoxin-A injection followed by reciprocal electrical stimulation in children with cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial. Restor Neurol Neurosci, 2020.
  9. Salazar, A.P., et al., Neuromuscular electrical stimulation to improve gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy: a meta-analysis. Braz J Phys Ther, 2019. 23(5): p. 378-386.
  10. Oshima, O., et al., Effects of hybrid assistive neuromuscular dynamic stimulation therapy for hemiparesis after pediatric stroke: a feasibility trial. Disabil Rehabil, 2019: p. 1-5.
  11. Marcus, S., et al., Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for treatment of dysphagia in infants and young children with neurological impairment: a prospective pilot study. BMJ Paediatr Open, 2019. 3(1): p. e000382.
  12. Magalhaes, P., et al., Is transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation an alternative for preventing acquired muscle weakness in the pediatric intensive care unit? A scoping review. Pediatr Pulmonol, 2019. 54(8): p. 1108-1116.
  13. Elnaggar, R.K. and M.F. Elbanna, Evaluation of independent versus integrated effects of reciprocal electrical stimulation and botulinum toxin-A on dynamic limits of postural stability and ankle kinematics in spastic diplegia: a single-blinded randomized trial. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med, 2019. 55(2): p. 241-249.
  14. Andreoli, S.M., B.L. Wilson, and C. Swanson, Neuromuscular electrical stimulation improves feeding and aspiration status in medically complex children undergoing feeding therapy. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol, 2019. 127: p. 109646.
  15. Alrwaily, M., et al., Stabilization exercises combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation for patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Braz J Phys Ther, 2019. 23(6): p. 506-515.
  16. Qi, Y.C., et al., Therapeutic Effect Evaluation of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation With or Without Strengthening Exercise on Spastic Cerebral Palsy. Clin Pediatr (Phila), 2018. 57(5): p. 580-583.
  17. Elbasan, B., et al., Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and Kinesio Taping applications in children with cerebral palsy on postural control and sitting balance. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil, 2018. 31(1): p. 49-55.
  18. Serel Arslan, S., et al., Effect of Swallowing Rehabilitation Protocol on Swallowing Function in Patients with Esophageal Atresia and/or Tracheoesophageal Fistula. Eur J Pediatr Surg, 2017. 27(6): p. 526-532.
  19. Pool, D., et al., Neuromuscular electrical stimulation-assisted gait increases muscle strength and volume in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol, 2016. 58(5): p. 492-501.
  20. Neyroud, D., et al., Wide-pulse-high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation in cerebral palsy. Clin Neurophysiol, 2016. 127(2): p. 1530-1539.
  21. Karabay, I., et al., Training postural control and sitting in children with cerebral palsy: Kinesio taping vs. neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Complement Ther Clin Pract, 2016. 24: p. 67-72.
  22. Elnaggar, R.K., Shoulder Function and Bone Mineralization in Children with Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury After Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation During Weight-Bearing Exercises. Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 2016. 95(4): p. 239-47.
  23. McCain, K.J., M. Farrar, and P.S. Smith, Gait recovery in a girl with ischemic spinal cord stroke. Pediatr Phys Ther, 2015. 27(2): p. 190-9.
  24. Karabay, I., et al., Short-Term effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on muscle architecture of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius in children with cerebral palsy: preliminary results of a prospective controlled study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 2015. 94(9): p. 728-33.
  25. Coskun-Benlidayi, I., et al., Early rehabilitation of a child with intensive care unit acquired weakness secondary to membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis: A case report. Turk J Pediatr, 2015. 57(4): p. 422-425.
  26. Yildizgoren, M.T., et al., Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the wrist and finger flexor spasticity and hand functions in cerebral palsy. Pediatr Neurol, 2014. 51(3): p. 360-4.