There are many people who are suffering from neurological impairments, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been gaining traction as an effective means for improving proprioception and motor function in these people. Dr. Vincent Chen, in his research article, "Effects of Noise Electrical Stimulation on Proprioception, Force Control, and Corticomuscular Functional Connectivity," investigated the impact of stochastic resonance electrical stimulation on various factors, such as joint proprioception and functional connectivity between the cortex and muscles. Likewise, researcher Courtney L. Ellerbusch, in her research article, “A case series in individuals with multiple sclerosis using direct current electrical stimulation to inhibit spasticity and improve functional outcomes,” investigated the effects of direct current electrical stimulation (DC) on spasticity and functional mobility in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Dr. Chen’s research uncovered how noise electrical stimulation, along with corticomuscular coherence, enhances proprioceptive abilities and improves grip force regulation. By applying noise electrical stimulation at optimal intensities, there was significant improvement in force control and joint proprioception in the participants. Similarly, Ellerbusch and her colleagues employed a multimodal approach - combining DC with neuromuscular reeducation, flexibility, and functional training - over 18 visits to examine the impact on spasticity in people with MS. She provided greater insight into the role of mechanoreceptors and electrical stimulation in helping patients better manage spasticity and improving functional outcomes in a clinical setting. While Dr. Vincent Chen’s research highlights the corticomuscular connectivity in healthy people, Ellerbusch’s case series can advocate for the effectiveness of electrical stimulation in restoring neural pathways in patients with MS. Dr. Chen and Dr. Ellerbusch underscored the important role neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has in enhancing neural connectivity in both of their studies. Specifically, in Dr. Chen’s research, the applied noise-based stimulation led to greater synchronization between the muscle groups and motor cortex, which resulted in better-controlled movements. This very principle was confirmed in Dr. Ellerbusch’s MS case series, as the patients who experienced lowered spasticity also reported improvements in their strength, ability to walk, and balance. Specifically, the elimination of clonus - involuntary and rhythmic muscle contractions - occurred in some of the subjects during and temporarily after treatment. These two studies indicate that not only is there improvement of motor function in healthy individuals interacting with NMES, but also that research is starting to reveal this can be used as a therapeutic intervention for persons with neurological disorders as well. While Ellerbusch prefaces that her research was a small pilot study case series where conclusions should be made cautiously, her research at least provides a promising path for NMES being integrated into wider rehabilitation procedures. As Dr. Vincent Chen’s study mostly addressed immediate changes in motor control and proprioception, his research has shown the potential to go further in seeing if NMES can have lasting changes in neural plasticity. In the near future, searching how these different types of electrical stimulation can affect the brain's capability to create new neural pathways over time would be very beneficial, especially as NMES offers a non-invasive solution for enhancing motor function. NMES has shown to eventually become an essential tool in rehabilitation settings, aiding people in regaining control over their movements, improving their quality of life, and providing greater hope for people living with these neurological conditions.
doi: 10.1177/20552173231186512
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