A simple model for bedside evaluation of current for neuromuscular electrical stimulation in cerebral palsy

Customization of stimulation parameters for individual patients is gaining considerable clinical importance in the context of increasing emphasis on personalized neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy. In the current study, the relationship between stimulation current intensities, muscle parameters and pulse width was ascertained using the method of theoretical modeling and testing in a group of children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) receiving surface NMES therapy. Contrary to the commonly held assumption, the present work provides evidence of a significant relationship between muscle parameters and stimulation currents. We used routinely available clinical anthropometric measurements to predict current intensities for NMES of quadriceps femoris and tibialis anterior muscle in children with CP, so that current dosages could be designed to produce therapeutically desirable effects. This model is a simple, inexpensive and noninvasive for bed side point-of-care clinical practice and follow-up.