Epidural stimulation with locomotor training ameliorates unstable blood pressure after tetraplegia. A case report

Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2022 Feb;9(2):232-238. doi: 10.1002/acn3.51508. Epub 2022 Jan 23.

Abstract

A male with C7 complete tetraplegia participated in 14 weeks of body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) combined with spinal cord epidural stimulation (SCES), 4 weeks of no intervention, and two more weeks of BWSTT + SCES. The participant presented with unstable resting seated blood pressure (BP; 131/66 mmHg). After retrospective analysis, resting systolic BP decreased and diastolic BP increased, yielding a safe mean arterial BP. There was a fivefold increase in BWSTT bouts per session, and percentage of body weight support decreased to 69%. BWSTT + SCES safely and effectively regulated resting BP and mitigated symptoms of orthostatic intolerance. These effects were not maintained after 4 weeks without training.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure / physiology*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Epidural Space
  • Exercise Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neurological Rehabilitation*
  • Quadriplegia / physiopathology*
  • Quadriplegia / therapy*
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation*

Grants and funding

This work was funded by U.S. Department of Defense grant W81XWH‐20‐1‐0845 (SC190107 CDMRP W91ZSQ).