Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40281770›Full record

ArticleBioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Optimizing Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation: An Exploratory Study on the Role of Electrode Montages and Stimulation Intensity on Reflex Pathway Modulation.

Shirin Madarshahian, Michael Trakhtorchuck, Tatiana Guerrero-David, Kristin Gustafson, James S Harrop, Caio M Matias, M J Mulcahey, Alessandro Napoli, Alexander Vaccaro, Mijail Serruya

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Shirin MadarshahianRaphael Center for Neurorestoration, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Michael TrakhtorchuckRaphael Center for Neurorestoration, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Tatiana Guerrero-DavidCenter for Outcomes and Measurement, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.ORCID 0009-0001-0099-3765
Kristin GustafsonPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
James S HarropDepartment of Neurosurgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Caio M MatiasDepartment of Neurosurgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-6101-1158
M J MulcaheyCenter for Outcomes and Measurement, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Alessandro NapoliRaphael Center for Neurorestoration, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-4061-3747
Alexander VaccaroDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Rothman Orthopaedics, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-8073-0796
Mijail SerruyaRaphael Center for Neurorestoration, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a promising non-invasive method to improve motor function in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) by enhancing spinal reflex pathways. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different tSCS electrode placement montages and targeted spinal levels on neurophysiological responses such as spinally evoked motor responses (sEMRs), dorsal root reflex activation, and muscle recruitment in individuals with SCI and healthy controls to optimize stimulation strategies for motor recovery. Five participants (three individuals with SCI and two controls) underwent transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation using various electrode montages, target spinal level stimulation, and single- and paired-pulse paradigms. Electromyographic responses were analyzed to determine sEMR threshold, amplitudes, and paired-pulse attenuation. Different spinal levels and spatial configurations of electrode placements influenced the sEMR threshold and incidence of sEMR across all participants. Paired-pulse analysis showed more pronounced second-pulse attenuation in SCI participants (48 ± 36%) than in controls (12 ± 20%,

Indexed as

dorsal root reflex pathwayelectrode placement montagespaired pulsepatient-centricpersonalizationtranscutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS)upper extremity

Identifiers

PMID40281770
PMCPMC12024636

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.