Posters
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Clinical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: After a spinal cord injury neural structures that survive reorganize. The brain “ignores” past associations with weaker muscles below the level of injury so stronger, spared muscles take over cortical maps of weaker muscles. Temporary Deafferentation (TD) is a method that utilizes short-term anesthesia, such as over-the-counter lidocaine cream, to inactivate sensation pathways from stronger muscles so that the brain releases inhibition that was placed on weaker muscles, thereby strengthening them. There has been research supporting TD approaches to rehabilitation; however, there is not an established protocol to apply TD in a clinical setting. Here, we seek to optimize a protocol to deploy TD using over-the-counter lidocaine cream.
Methods: We will utilize Ebanel 5% lidocaine cream to anesthetize the biceps muscle on healthy participants. Sensation, using monofilaments, will be measured before placing the cream and then every 10 minutes after the cream has been placed, up to one hour in duration. We will evaluate how long it takes to achieve TD and how long TD lasts after application of the lidocaine cream.
Results: Results will show when a patient no longer feels sensation on their biceps muscle and later when they regain sensation, thus helping establish a timeline as to when a participant has the best window of opportunity to exercise and thus strengthen a weaker muscle, such as the triceps.
Conclusions: By establishing a clearer timeframe for a TD approach, this mode of rehabilitation can be adapted to more varied clinical settings, in addition to non-medical settings.
Academic/Professional Position
Medical Student
Mentor/PI Department
Molecular Science
Recommended Citation
Cuello, Victoria and Baker, Kelsey, "Optimization of a Non-Invasive Temporary Deafferentation Protocol to Improve Upper Extremity Rehabilitation" (2023). Research Symposium. 74.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/theme1/posters/74
Included in
Optimization of a Non-Invasive Temporary Deafferentation Protocol to Improve Upper Extremity Rehabilitation
Background: After a spinal cord injury neural structures that survive reorganize. The brain “ignores” past associations with weaker muscles below the level of injury so stronger, spared muscles take over cortical maps of weaker muscles. Temporary Deafferentation (TD) is a method that utilizes short-term anesthesia, such as over-the-counter lidocaine cream, to inactivate sensation pathways from stronger muscles so that the brain releases inhibition that was placed on weaker muscles, thereby strengthening them. There has been research supporting TD approaches to rehabilitation; however, there is not an established protocol to apply TD in a clinical setting. Here, we seek to optimize a protocol to deploy TD using over-the-counter lidocaine cream.
Methods: We will utilize Ebanel 5% lidocaine cream to anesthetize the biceps muscle on healthy participants. Sensation, using monofilaments, will be measured before placing the cream and then every 10 minutes after the cream has been placed, up to one hour in duration. We will evaluate how long it takes to achieve TD and how long TD lasts after application of the lidocaine cream.
Results: Results will show when a patient no longer feels sensation on their biceps muscle and later when they regain sensation, thus helping establish a timeline as to when a participant has the best window of opportunity to exercise and thus strengthen a weaker muscle, such as the triceps.
Conclusions: By establishing a clearer timeframe for a TD approach, this mode of rehabilitation can be adapted to more varied clinical settings, in addition to non-medical settings.