J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2006 Jun;30(3):219-224.

The Changes of Motor Evoked Potential and Silent Period after Electrical Stimulation in Stroke Patients

• Han SJ
• Lee JE
• Yoon TS

Abstract

OBEJCTIVE: This study was proposed to evaluate the electrophysiologic changes in motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and silent period after paraspinal electrical stimulation near caudal area of the spinal cord in stroke patients. METHOD: Electrical stimulation was applied to T12 paraspinal area using interferential current therapy (80~100 Hz) in 18 stroke patients. The amplitude and latency of cortical motor evoked potential and duration of silent period were measured before and after the electrical stimulation.
RESULTS
The amplitude of MEPs in affected side was low compared with unaffected side. The duration of silent period was variable in affected side. The duration of silent period was increased after the electrical stimulation in stroke patients (p<0.05). Changes of the amplitude and latency of MEPs were not significant.
CONCLUSION
These results mean that the central inhibitory mechanism affecting the silent period is activated by a certain electrical stimulation near caudal area of the spinal cord in stroke patients.

Keyword

Electrical stimulation; Motor evoked potential; Silent period; Stroke

MeSH Terms

Electric Stimulation*
Evoked Potentials, Motor*
Humans
Spinal Cord
Stroke*