Vivian Mushahwar Discusses Neural Stimulation Technologies for Patient Rehabilitation Following Spinal Cord Injury

Vivian Mushahwar is a professor at the University of Alberta in the Department of Medicine, and she is in the division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a PhD in bioengineering, and has completed two postdoc positions in rehab medicine and neuroscience. In this episode, she discusses some of the technologies she is researching and developing with regards to nerve stimulation and walking/standing.

Top three takeaways:

1. Neural stimulation below levels of injury can greatly improve standing and walking performance in patients with spinal cord injury.
2. A good understanding of neuroscience/neurophysiology combined with knowing how to stimulate to best treat spinal cord injury will lead to the best outcome for treatment.
3. Collaboration between researchers and product users can lead to simpler products and solutions.

[0:00] Ladan introduces the episode and the guest Vivian Mushahwar, who gives an overview of her background and research interests

[3:30] Spinal cord spasticity consists of uncontrolled contractions which pose a problem for patient mobility. Plasticity can be induced in nerves through electrical stimulation, and this is used to treat spasticity.

[6:30] Vivian’s project involves putting fine implants in spinal cord, stimulate networks below level of injury, to help with standing and walking

[9:15] Tissue is being deformed whenever it is stretched/strained, particularly muscle, and people shift posture/position constantly to prevent muscle deformation

[11:30] The SmartyPants technology is designed to contract muscle periodically to prevent deformation which could lead to pressure ulcers

[15:00] The SmartyPants technology has been stalled due to intellectual property disputes, and this is upsetting those who invested in the original technology

[18:00] Deep vein thrombosis is a condition that could lead to deadly blood clots, and is caused by insufficient movement. Similar to SmartyPants, Vivian is working to develop a sock to prevent the formation of DVT

[19:50] Simultaneous arm/leg cycling in exercise after spinal cord injury can double the improvement in walking

[21:30] Engaging in communication and collaboration between different departments and the product users can lead to simpler solutions