Neuromodulation using electrical stimulation is able to enhance motor control of individuals suffering an upper motor neuron disorder. This work examined the effect of sustained electrical stimulation to modify spasticity in the leg muscles. We applied transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation with a pulse rate of 50 Hz for 30 min. The subjects were assessed before and after the intervention using in a pendulum test setup. The motion of the free swinging leg was acquired through video tracking and goniometer measurements. The quantification was done through the R 2n index which shows consistency identifying the spasticity levels. In all incomplete SCI subjects having severe spasticity, the results show that electrical stimulation is effective to modify the increased muscle tone.

Spasticity is a motor impairment present in patients with both stroke and spinal cord injury. In this research, the results from the Wartenberg pendulum test, performed on stroke and spinal cord injury patients using goniometers and electromyogram recordings of the quadriceps, were reviewed and a new parameter to quantify spasticity was extracted. The Reflex Period (RP) of the pendulum test was defined as the time span from 50% of the maximum velocity of the leg swing to the activation of muscle contraction in the quadriceps, determined from the EMG. The results suggest that the reflex period in stroke patients is generally shorter than in those suffering from spinal cord injury.

Evaluation of CT capability for the detection of thin bone structures by means of modeling small bone structures and comparing with quantitative measurements. Knowledge of how thin bone structures can be or of what low density to be detectable in clinical CT images can increase the diagnostic competence to diagnose various diseases. Correlation between size and density of detectable bone structures is the key for many diagnosis purposes. This paper describes the use of clinical 64 detector scanner to image the skeletons of codfish and salmon species. Fish skeletons, such as codfish and salmon, have petite structures and lower bone density than humans. Bone structures were segmented out of the image data and 3D models of their skeletons developed. Evaluation was done by means of comparing quantitative measurements of selected bones to parameters observed from the model. Results show the limits where thin bones and of low density disappear from the clinical CT. It shows ability to reconstruct closely the diameter of the codfish bones but to a less extent the small bones of the salmon.