Neurophysiological parameters of segmental and suprasegmental conduction in patients with various timing of spinal cord injury

The aim of the study was to compare the neurophysiological parameters of segmental (according to electroneuromyography, ENMG) and suprasegmental (according to transcranial magnetic stimulation, TCMS) motor conduction in patients with different timing of spinal cord injuries. Two groups of patients with spinal cord injuries were examined: group 1 - with the duration of the disease less than 1 year (n=50), group 2 - patients with the disease duration 1-2 years (n=48). The stimulation ENMG method was used to evaluate the parameters of conduction to the posterior tibial nerves; the TCMS method was used to the evaluation of the parameters of corticospinal conduction to the muscles of the lower extremities. Patients with positive dynamics in neurological and functional statuses showed a decrease in velocity parameters according to ENMG data, especially in terms of F-wave parameters, and in a relatively short duration of the disease (up to 1 year), and also had the best parameters of corticospinal conduction according to TKMS at baseline. Dynamic observation in patients with positive dynamics reveals signs of resorption of axons inhibiting the regeneration at the site of damage to myelin residues - an increase in the latencies of cortical evoked motor responses and the central motor conduction time. It was concluded that the data of neurophysiological examination of patients with spinal cord injuries, especially with short duration of the disease (up to 1 year), allows to predict the results of rehabilitation measures to a certain extent.

spinal cord injury, rehabilitation, neurophysiological study, electroneuromyography, transcranial magnetic stimulation