Levine S P, Kett R L, Cederna P S, Bowers L D, Brooks S V
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor 48109-0032.
J Rehabil Res Dev. 1989 Fall;26(4):1-8.
A new method is proposed for pressure sore prevention using electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). Potential mechanisms through which EMS may act for this purpose are discussed, including both short-term/dynamic and chronic effects. Measurements of maximum pressure variation in three able-bodied subjects using low levels of stimulation were performed. Pressure distribution changes were also measured. Fatigue effects on pressure redistribution were studied for four able-bodied subjects as well as for one C4, complete spinal cord injured individual. The results indicate that EMS produces sizeable pressure reduction under the ischial tuberosity, with redistribution occurring over other parts of the seating surface in able-bodied subjects. Fatigue effects were not observed in the four able-bodied subjects even after prolonged stimulation. Fatigue was observed with the spinal cord injured subject, but only after extensive stimulation. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of using EMS at relatively low intensity to vary seating interface pressure. The results warrant continued investigation of EMS to assist in pressure sore prevention.
本文提出了一种利用电肌肉刺激（EMS）预防压疮的新方法。文中讨论了EMS可能用于此目的的潜在机制，包括短期/动态效应和慢性效应。对三名身体健全的受试者进行了低水平刺激下的最大压力变化测量。还测量了压力分布变化。研究了四名身体健全的受试者以及一名C4完全性脊髓损伤个体中疲劳对压力重新分布的影响。结果表明，在身体健全的受试者中，EMS可使坐骨结节下方压力显著降低，且座位表面其他部位会出现压力重新分布。即使经过长时间刺激，四名身体健全的受试者中也未观察到疲劳效应。脊髓损伤受试者出现了疲劳，但仅在长时间刺激后。这些研究证明了以相对低强度使用EMS来改变座位界面压力的可行性。这些结果值得继续研究EMS以辅助预防压疮。
