Effects of electrical stimulation on spinal spasticity.

Seven spinal cord injured (SCI) patients with clinical signs of knee-joint spasticity were tested with the Wartenberg pendulum test and an electrogoniometer. All patients were subjected to four channel rhythmical electrical stimulation of the knee muscles for three consecutive days. In five patients some improvement of spasticity was achieved. No increase of spasticity was observed in any patient. Combining results from two separate but similar studies it is contended that about one-half of randomly selected SCI patients with knee joint spasticity might benefit by electrical stimulation.