Abstract
Over the last decade, several pilot phase clinical trials of electrical stimulation, applied to the dorsal surface of the spinal cord, in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) have shown that SCI-related sensorimotor and autonomic dysfunction can be improved via rehabilitation with epidural stimulation (ES). To deliver ES, clinical trial participants undergo surgical placement of stimulating electrodes within the spinal canal which are connected to an implanted pulse generator. Upon completion of clinical trial activities, the electrodes and pulse generator typically remain implanted and fully functional, however, there is a lack of information available regarding the extent to which ES usage is continued, and functions gained, by individuals with SCI. Our objectives are to develop a tool to measure community usage of ES by individuals with SCI, and corresponding performance changes within each participant, that can be widely used by institutions using ES. We have developed an online questionnaire for individuals with SCI who have undergone implantation of an ES system with the intent of improving SCI-related impairments. The questionnaire remains active and is globally accessible via the QualtricsXM application (Qualtrics, Provo, UT).
Keywords
Spinal cord injury, SCI, Epidural stimulation, Spinal cord stimulation, Epidural stimulation questionnaire, Epidural stimulation survey, Epidural stimulation usage