Transcutaneous Stimulation in Spinal Cord Injury

Cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of death in the spinal cord injury population. Increased reliance on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is believed to decrease falls in blood pressure when moving from a laying down position to upright; however, findings in the general population link the RAAS with remodeling and restructuring of the arterial walls. Therefore, intervention to stabilize and normalize blood pressure should be a priority in individuals with spinal cord injury who have low blood pressure. Advances in stimulation on the skin of the spinal cord offer an approach to restore cardiovascular control and improve blood pressure regulation; however, electrode placement and stimulation parameters needed to increase blood pressure are not well understood. Therefore, the aim of the study is to identify placement of electrodes on the skin, and frequency and amplitude of the stimulation to regulate blood pressure.