Electrical stimulation of regenerating nerve and its effect on motor recovery.

ABSTRACT

The rate of recovery of motor function, after axonotmesis of the motor nerve innervating the soleus muscle in the rabbit, was evaluated. In a chronic study over a period of 4 weeks, contraction parameters and muscle action potentials were recorded. A group of rabbits, whose soleus nerves were stimulated with 4 pps for 24 h daily, was compared with a control group. The electrically stimulated animals showed a faster improvement in motor function and reached their initial values a week earlier than the controls. Electrical stimulation proved to have a positive effect on the regeneration and motor recovery of nerves.