The effect of inter-electrode distance on the electric field distribution during transcutaneous lumbar spinal cord direct current stimulation.

Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference · 2016 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 2891

Study snapshot

PublicationAnnual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference · 2016

Study typeengineering

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Previous studies have indicated potential neuromodulation of the spinal circuitry by transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS), such as changes in motor unit recruitment, shortening of the peripheral silent period and interference with supraspinal input to lower motor neurons. All of these effects were dependent on the polarity of the electrodes. The present study investigates how the distance between the electrodes during tsDCS influences the electric field's (E-field) spatial distribution in the lumbar and sacral spinal cord (SC). The electrodes were placed longitudinally along the SC, with the target electrode over the lumbar spine, and the return electrode above the former, considering four different distances (4, 8, 12 and 16 cm from the target). A fifth configuration was also tested with the return electrode over the right deltoid muscle. Peak values of the E-field's magnitude are found in the lumbo-sacral region of the SC for all tested configurations. Increasing the distance between the electrodes results in a wider spread of the E-field magnitude distribution along the SC, with larger maximum peak values and a smoother variation. The fifth configuration does not present the highest maximum values when compared to the other configurations. The results indicate that the choice of the return electrode position relative to the target can influence the distribution and the range of values of the E-field magnitude in the SC. Possible clinical significance of the observed effects will be discussed.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeengineering

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Across all tested electrode configurations, peak E-field magnitude values were found in the lumbo-sacral region of the spinal cord. Increasing the distance between electrodes (4, 8, 12, 16 cm) produced a wider spread of E-field magnitude along the spinal cord, with larger maximum peak values and smoother variation. A configuration with the return electrode over the right deltoid did not yield the highest maximum values compared with the other configurations.

Outcomes measured

Electric field (E-field) spatial distribution in lumbar and sacral spinal cord
Peak E-field magnitude in lumbo-sacral region
Effect of inter-electrode distance on E-field spread and peak values

Limitations

No sample size or participant/model details provided in the abstract
No stimulation intensity/current, electrode size, or other dosing parameters reported in the abstract
Primarily reports field distribution outcomes; clinical/physiological effects are not directly assessed in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "engineering",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "transcutaneous lumbar spinal cord direct current stimulation (tsDCS)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Electric field (E-field) spatial distribution in lumbar and sacral spinal cord",
    "Peak E-field magnitude in lumbo-sacral region",
    "Effect of inter-electrode distance on E-field spread and peak values"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Across all tested electrode configurations, peak E-field magnitude values were found in the lumbo-sacral region of the spinal cord. Increasing the distance between electrodes (4, 8, 12, 16 cm) produced a wider spread of E-field magnitude along the spinal cord, with larger maximum peak values and smoother variation. A configuration with the return electrode over the right deltoid did not yield the highest maximum values compared with the other configurations.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "No sample size or participant/model details provided in the abstract",
    "No stimulation intensity/current, electrode size, or other dosing parameters reported in the abstract",
    "Primarily reports field distribution outcomes; clinical/physiological effects are not directly assessed in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation",
    "tsDCS",
    "lumbar spinal cord",
    "sacral spinal cord",
    "electric field distribution",
    "inter-electrode distance",
    "return electrode position",
    "neuromodulation"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1109/embc.2016.7591056
PubMed: 28268666

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