Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has become an increasingly popular rehabilitative treatment approach for swallowing disorders (dysphagia). However, its precise effects on swallowing biomechanics and measures of swallowing neurophysiology are unclear. Clearly defined NMES treatment protocols that have been corroborated by thorough empirical research are lacking. The primary objective of this research programme was therefore to establish optimal NMES treatment parameters for the anterior hyo-mandibular (submental) musculature, a muscle group that is critically involved in the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing. Based on previous research, the primary hypothesis was that various NMES treatment protocols would have differential effects of either enhancing or inhibiting the excitability of corticobulbar projections to this muscle group. The research paradigm used to test this hypothesis was an evaluation of MEP amplitude and onset latency, recorded in the functional context of volitional contraction of the submental musculature (VC) and contraction of this muscle group during the pharyngeal phase of volitional swallowing (VPS, volitional pharyngeal swallow). Outcome measures were recorded before and at several time points after each NMES treatment trial. This methodology is similar to, but improved upon, research paradigms previously reported. Changes in corticobulbar excitability in response to various NMES treatment protocols were recorded in a series of experiments. Ten healthy research participants were recruited into a study that evaluated the effects of event-related NMES, whereas 15 healthy research participants were enrolled in a study that investigated the effects of non-event-related NMES. In a third cohort of 35 healthy research participants, task-dependent differences in corticobulbar excitability were evaluated during three conditions of submental muscle contraction: VC, VPS and submental muscle contraction during the pharyngeal phase of reflexive swallowing (RPS, reflexive pharyngeal swallowing). Event-related NMES induced frequency-depended changes in corticobulbar excitability. NMES administered at 80 Hz facilitated MEP amplitude, whereas NMES at 5 Hz and 20 Hz inhibited MEP amplitude. No changes were observed after NMES at 40 Hz. Maximal excitatory or inhibitory changes occurred 60 min post-treatment. Changes in MEP amplitude in response to event-related NMES were only observed when MEPs were recorded during the VC condition, whereas MEPs recorded during the VPS condition remained unaffected. Non-event-related NMES did not affect MEP amplitude in either of the muscle contraction conditions. Similarly, MEP onset latencies remained unchanged across all comparisons. MEPs were detected most consistently during the VC contraction condition. They were less frequently detected and were smaller in amplitude for the VPS condition and they were infrequently detected during pre-activation by RPS. The documented results indicate that event-related NMES has a more substantial impact on MEP amplitude than non-event-related NMES, producing excitatory and inhibitory effects. Comparison of MEPs recorded during VC, VPS and RPS suggests that different neural networks may govern the motor control of submental muscle activation during these tasks. This research programme is the first to investigate the effects of various NMES treatment protocols on the excitability of submental corticobulbar projections. It provides important new information for the use of NMES in clinical rehabilitation practices and our understanding of the neural networks governing swallowing motor control.

Abstract Aim: The main objective of this study was to compare electro mechanical delay (EMD) and rate of torque development (RTD) of the knee extensors 6 weeks after rehabilitation of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with or without neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Further the feasibility of the study was examined. Method: 10 participants were randomized into two groups, one neuromuscular electrical stimulation group (NMESG) and one training group (TG). The NMESG used a NMES-device as a complement to the ordinary rehabilitation protocol. Regular meetings with a physiotherapist were scheduled during the rehabilitation. Measurements of RTD and EMD during knee extension were made in an isokinetic dynamometer with electromyography recordings (EMG) from the knee extensors 6 weeks after surgery. Results: All participants completed the study. The NMESG went to see the physiotherapist 6.7 ± 2.5 times and the TG 6.8 ± 1.8 times. The participants in the NMESG used the NMES-apparatus 28 ± 1.7 times. Total number of training days for the NMESG was 25 ± 4 and for the TG 35 ± 1. RTD did not significantly differ between the groups. For the TG, RDT was 901.1, 941.2 and 531.0 Nm/s, over the first 50, 100 and 200 ms, respectively. For NMESG: RTD was 824.3, 966.2 and 529.0 Nm/s, over the first 50, 100 and 200 ms, respectively. No significant difference between the groups or interaction between group and muscle was found in EMD. For both groups EMD was significantly larger for vastus medialis as compared to the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris. Conclusions: The study was feasible to perform, and despite fewer training days for the NMESG, no significant group differences were found in RTD or EMD. A larger study population is needed to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention. / Abstrakt Syfte: Huvudsyftet med denna studie var att jämföra elektromekaniska fördröjning (EMD) och vridmoment utveckling (RTD) för knäextensorerna 6 veckor efter rehabilitering av främre korsbandsrekonstruktion (ACLR) med eller utan neuromuskulär elektrisk stimulering (NMES). Vidare undersöktes genomförbarheten av studien. Metod: 10 deltagare randomiseras in i två grupper, en neuromuskulär elektrisk stimulerings grupp (NMESG) och en träningsgrupp (TG). NMESG använde en NMES - enhet som ett komplement till ordinarie rehabiliteringsprotokoll. Regelbundna möten med sjukgymnast var inplanerad under rehabiliteringen. Mätningar av RTD och EMD under knäets extension gjordes i en isokinetisk dynamometer med elektromyografi inspelningar (EMG) från knäextensorerna 6 veckor efter operationen. Resultat: Alla deltagare fullföljde studien. NMESG träffade sjukgymnasten 6,7 ± 2,5 gånger och TG 6,8 ± 1,8 gånger. Deltagarna i NMESG använde NMES - apparaten 28 ± 1,7 gånger. Totalt antal träningsdagar för NMESG var 25 ± 4 och för TG 35 ± 1. RTD skiljde sig inte signifikant mellan grupperna. För TG var RDT 901,1, 941,2 och 531,0 Nm/s, under de respektive första 50, 100 och 200 ms. För NMESG var RTD 824,3, 966,2 och 529,0 Nm/s, under de respektive första 50, 100 och 200 ms. Inga signifikanta skillnader mellan grupperna eller samspel mellan grupp och muskler hittades i EMD. För båda grupperna var EMD signifikant större för vastus medialis jämfört vastus lateralis och rectus femoris. Slutsats: Studien var möjligt att utföra, och trots färre träningsdagar för NMESG sågs inga signifikanta skillnader mellan grupperna i RTD eller EMD. Det behövs en större studiepopulation för att utvärdera effekten av interventionen.

Po priekinio kryžminio raiščio (PKR) rekonstrukcijos fizinio aktyvumo atgavimas trunka nuo 3 iki 12 mėnesių. Siekiant greitesnio kelio sąnario funkcijos atkūrimo, šiame darbe vertinamas dviejų skirtingų metodikų efektyvumas. Darbo tikslas – palyginti raumenų elektrostimuliacijos (RES), taikomos kineziterapijos metu ir prieš kineziterapijos procedūrą, poveikį kelio sąnario funkcijos atkūrimui po priekinio kryžminio raiščio rekonstrukcinės operacijos. Apžvelgus mokslinę literatūrą numatytą mokslinio darbo tikslą pasiekti buvo iškelti 3 uždaviniai. Pirmuoju uždaviniu siekiama įvertinti kelio sąnario funkcijos kitimą po priekinio kryžminio raiščio rekonstrukcinės operacijos taikant raumenų elektrostimuliaciją prieš kineziterapijos procedūras. Antrasis uždavinys skirtas įvertinti kelio sąnario funkcijos kitimą po priekinio kryžminio raiščio rekonstrukcinės operacijos taikant raumenų elektrostimuliaciją kineziterapijos procedūros metu. Trečiuoju uždaviniu siekiama palyginti kelio sąnario funkcijos atkūrimo pokytį po priekinio kryžminio raiščio rekonstrukcinės operacijos taikant raumenų elektrostimuliaciją kineziterapijos metu ir prieš kineziterapijos procedūrą. Tyrimo metodai: 1. Judesių amplitudė per kelio sąnarį vertinta goniometrijos metodu. 2. Blauzdą lenkiančių ir tiesiančių raumenų jėga vertinta Medicininių tyrimų tarnybos skale. 3. Skausmo intensyvumui vertinti naudota Skaičių analoginė skausmo skalė. 4. Kelio sąnario funkcinė būklė vertinta Lysholm klausimynu. 5. Operuotos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction physical activity recovery lasts from 3 to 12 months. Seeking more rapid knee joint function recovery the effectiveness of two different methods are estimated in this research. The aim of the research is to compare the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) applied before and during physiotherapy procedure, as well as the effect of the knee joint function recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. After review of scholarly literature there were 3 tasks set to reach the aim of the research. The first task is to estimate the changes in the knee joint function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation before physiotherapy procedures. The second task is to estimate the changes in the knee joint function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation during physiotherapy procedures. The third task is to compare the changes in the knee joint function applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation during physiotherapy and before physiotherapy procedure. The methods of the research: 1. The amplitude of the knee joint movements is estimated by goniometry method. 2. The force of the calf flexor and extensor muscles is estimated by Medical Research Council scale. 3. The intensity of the pain is estimated by Numeric Rating Scale. 4. The knee joint function is assessed by Lysholm knee questionnaire. 5... [to full text]

This thesis describes experiments designed to investigate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on corticospinal (CS) excitability in humans. NMES delivered at 100 Hz was more effective for increasing CS excitability than 10-, 50-, or 200-Hz NMES. CS excitability increases occurred after 24 min of 100-Hz NMES, were strongest in the stimulated muscle, and were mediated primarily at a supraspinal level. NMES of the common peroneal nerve of the leg increased CS excitability in multiple leg muscles, whereas NMES of the median nerve of the hand increased CS excitability in only the muscle innervated by that nerve. Additionally, CS excitability for the hand increased after 40 min of relatively high intensity and frequency NMES but not after 2 h of lower intensity and frequency NMES. These results have implications for identifying optimal NMES parameters to augment CS excitability for rehabilitation after central nervous system injury.

In this thesis sensorimotor integration in the human spinal cord was investigated in the intact (Chapters 2 and 3) and injured nervous systems (Chapter 4-stroke; Chapter 5-spinal cord injury (SCI)). In Chapter 2, I characterized a short-latency reflex pathway between sensory receptors of the lower leg and the erector spinae (ES) muscles of the lower back that may play a role in the maintenance of posture and balance. The ES reflexes were evoked bilaterally by taps applied to the Achilles tendon and were modulated by task. Furthermore, these reflexes involved a larger contribution from cutaneous receptors in the lower limb, rather than muscle spindles. In Chapter 3, I investigated changes in reflex transmission along the H-reflex pathway throughout 10 s trains of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) using physiologically relevant frequencies (5-20 Hz) and during functionally relevant tasks (sitting and standing) and background contraction amplitudes (up to 20% MVC). The results of this study revealed strong post-activation depression of reflex amplitudes, followed by significant recovery during the stimulation, both of which were influenced by stimulation frequency and background contraction amplitude, but not task. During 10 Hz stimulation, reflex amplitudes showed complete recovery (i.e. back to their initial values), and at times, complete recovery occurred by the third reflex in the train. These results demonstrate that transmission along the H-reflex pathway is modulated continuously during periods of repetitive input. In Chapters 4 and 5, I studied the extent to which a novel stimulation protocol that incorporated wide pulse widths (1 ms) and high frequencies (up to 100 Hz) (wide-pulse NMES; WP-NMES), could enhance electrically-evoked contractions through a central contribution in individuals with stroke or SCI. This central effect arises from the electrical activation of sensory axons, which in turn, reflexively recruit motoneurons in the spinal cord. After stroke, contractions evoked by WP-NMES were larger in the paretic arm than the non-paretic arm. After SCI, transmission along the H-reflex pathway was observed throughout trains of WP-NMES; direct evidence of a central contribution. These results suggest that maximizing the central contribution during WP-NMES may be useful for maintaining muscle quality after neurological injury.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has become an increasingly popular rehabilitative treatment approach for swallowing disorders (dysphagia). However, its precise effects on swallowing biomechanics and measures of swallowing neurophysiology are unclear. Clearly defined NMES treatment protocols that have been corroborated by thorough empirical research are lacking. The primary objective of this research programme was therefore to establish optimal NMES treatment parameters for the anterior hyo-mandibular (submental) musculature, a muscle group that is critically involved in the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing. Based on previous research, the primary hypothesis was that various NMES treatment protocols would have differential effects of either enhancing or inhibiting the excitability of corticobulbar projections to this muscle group. The research paradigm used to test this hypothesis was an evaluation of MEP amplitude and onset latency, recorded in the functional context of volitional contraction of the submental musculature (VC) and contraction of this muscle group during the pharyngeal phase of volitional swallowing (VPS, volitional pharyngeal swallow). Outcome measures were recorded before and at several time points after each NMES treatment trial. This methodology is similar to, but improved upon, research paradigms previously reported. Changes in corticobulbar excitability in response to various NMES treatment protocols were recorded in a series of experiments. Ten healthy research participants were recruited into a study that evaluated the effects of event-related NMES, whereas 15 healthy research participants were enrolled in a study that investigated the effects of non-event-related NMES. In a third cohort of 35 healthy research participants, task-dependent differences in corticobulbar excitability were evaluated during three conditions of submental muscle contraction: VC, VPS and submental muscle contraction during the pharyngeal phase of reflexive swallowing (RPS, reflexive pharyngeal swallowing). Event-related NMES induced frequency-depended changes in corticobulbar excitability. NMES administered at 80 Hz facilitated MEP amplitude, whereas NMES at 5 Hz and 20 Hz inhibited MEP amplitude. No changes were observed after NMES at 40 Hz. Maximal excitatory or inhibitory changes occurred 60 min post-treatment. Changes in MEP amplitude in response to event-related NMES were only observed when MEPs were recorded during the VC condition, whereas MEPs recorded during the VPS condition remained unaffected. Non-event-related NMES did not affect MEP amplitude in either of the muscle contraction conditions. Similarly, MEP onset latencies remained unchanged across all comparisons. MEPs were detected most consistently during the VC contraction condition. They were less frequently detected and were smaller in amplitude for the VPS condition and they were infrequently detected during pre-activation by RPS. The documented results indicate that event-related NMES has a more substantial impact on MEP amplitude than non-event-related NMES, producing excitatory and inhibitory effects. Comparison of MEPs recorded during VC, VPS and RPS suggests that different neural networks may govern the motor control of submental muscle activation during these tasks. This research programme is the first to investigate the effects of various NMES treatment protocols on the excitability of submental corticobulbar projections. It provides important new information for the use of NMES in clinical rehabilitation practices and our understanding of the neural networks governing swallowing motor control.

Lesões na medula espinhal atingem um grande número de pessoas, devido a traumas, doenças congênitas ou adquiridas. Para estes tipos de lesões não há cura e os indivíduos lesados medulares dependem de tratamento através de fisioterapia ou órteses que auxiliem na recuperação de possíveis funções perdidas. A Estimulação Elétrica Neuromuscular (EENM) tem sido pesquisada com essa proposta: reabilitar pessoas portadoras de lesão medular ou disfunções do aparelho locomotor. Muitos estudos já foram desenvolvidos na área de estimulação elétrica neuromuscular, avaliando a marcha, o ato de levantar-se ou outros movimentos. Um ponto em comum entre estes estudos é a preocupação com os efeitos fisiológicos da EENM, como por exemplo o gasto energético. Diante disto, o objetivo deste projeto foi avaliar os efeitos da EENM sobre o gasto energético de lesados medulares. Foi observado o consumo de oxigênio durante o repouso, a marcha e a recuperação. A avaliação proposta foi realizada por método indireto e as análises estatísticas foram realizadas através do teste ANOVA ONE WAY. Os resultados sugerem os voluntários tiveram recuperação fisiológica. Entretanto novas pesquisas são necessárias, com outras variáveis sendo avaliadas. / Lesions in the spinal cord affect a great number of individuals, either due to traumas or to congenital or acquired diseases. Such lesions are incurable, and the injured patients depend on physiotherapy or orthosis to aid in the recovery of lost functions. The Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) has been researched with this purpose: rehabilitating spinal cord injured patients, or those with motor system dysfunction. Several studies have already been developed in the field of neuromuscular electrical stimulation, assessing gait, the act of getting up or other everyday movements. All these studies bear something in common: the concern with the physiologic effects of NMES, such as the energy consumption. Hence, the objective of this project was to evaluate the effects of NMES on the energy cost of spinal injured patients. The consumption of oxygen was assessed during rest, gait and the recovery period. The proposed evaluation was made through indirect method, and the statistical analyses through the ANOVA ONE WAY test. The results to suggest that the volunteers had phisyological recovery. However, news reserchs there are needs, with others variable to be estimated.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of low frequency on the vastus lateralis muscle. Eleven, male and female, dogs of variable age were randomly placed in 3 groups: I (control), II (NMES post immobilization), and III (NMES before and post immobilization). The right femoral-tibial-patellar joint of the animals in groups I, II, and III was immobilized for 30 days by the percutaneous transfixation type II method. The dogs from group II were placed on eletrotherapy 3 times weekly for 90 days, during (30 days) and post immobilization (60 days). The dogs from group II were initiated on NMES post-removal of the temporary rigid immobilization. The parameters evaluated consisted of: measurement of thigh circumference, joint motion using a goniometer, gait analysis, creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and morphometry of the longitudinal muscle fibers collected by vastus lateralis muscle biopsy. The gait analysis was performed daily by the same observer for 90 days. The circumference of the thigh, joint motion, and muscle biopsy were performed on days 0, 30, 60 and 90 post-surgery. The blood samples for CK and AST were collected before and immediately after 6, 24 and 48 hours post-NMES on days 0,1,7,30,45,60,75 and 90. The NMES was employed on the femoral quadriceps muscle group with a frequency of 50Hz post-duration of 300msec on an off-time/on-time ratio of 1:2. There was no significant difference on the gait analysis, thigh circumference, joint motion, and CK and AST values. In terms of morphometry of muscle fibers, the greatest hypertrophy change was observed on longitudinal fibers of the dogs from group II (p=0.0005), followed by the dogs from group III. It can be concluded that NMES of low frequency does not avoid the muscular atrophy of vastus lateralis muscle during rigid temporary immobilization of the stifle joint, but causes muscular gain after this period, recommending its use / Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da estimulação elétrica neuromuscular (EENM) de baixa freqüência no músculo vasto lateral foram utilizados 11 cães, machos e fêmeas, sem raça definida, de idades variadas e agrupados aleatoriamente em três grupos denominados de I ou controle, II (EENM após imobilização) e III (EENM durante e após imobilização). A articulação femoro-tíbio-patelar direita dos animais dos grupos I, II e III foi imobilizada por 30 dias pelo método de transfixação percutânea tipo II. Os cães do grupo III iniciaram as sessões de eletroterapia, três vezes por semana, por 90 dias, ou seja, durante (30 dias) e após a imobilização (60 dias). Os cães dos grupos II tiveram início da EENM após a remoção da imobilização rígida temporária. Os parâmetros avaliados foram a mensuração da circunferência da coxa, goniometria do joelho, graus de claudicação, enzimas creatina-quinase (CK) e aspartato-amino-transferase (AST) e morfometria das fibras musculares longitudinais obtidas por biópsia muscular do vasto lateral. A análise dos graus de claudicação foi realizada diariamente por um mesmo observador por 90 dias. A circunferência de coxa, goniometria e biópsia do músculo vasto lateral foram realizadas nos tempos zero, 30, 60 e 90 dias de pós-operatório. As amostras de sangue para avaliação da CK e AST foram coletadas antes, imediatamente depois, aos 6, 24 e 48 horas após a EENM, nos dias zero, um, sete, 30, 45, 60, 75 e 90. A EENM foi empregada no músculo quadríceps femoral numa freqüência de 50Hz, duração de pulso de 300 milisegundos e relação on time/off time de 1:2. Não houve diferença significativa nos graus de claudicação, valores de circunferência da coxa, goniometria e comportamento das enzimas CK e AST entre os grupos I, II e III. Quanto à morfometria das fibras musculares, foi observada uma maior hipertrofia das fibras musculares longitudinais nos cães do grupo II (p=0,0005), seguida pelos cães do grupo III. Podese concluir que a EENM de baixa freqüência não evita a atrofia do músculo vasto lateral durante a imobilização rígida temporária do joelho, mas ocasiona ganho de massa muscular após esse período, recomendando-se o seu uso

La prise en charge thérapeutique de la fatigue musculaire par le biais d’exercices physiques vise à améliorer la qualité de vie et implique habituellement des exercices unilatéraux ou l’électrostimulation neuromusculaire pour compenser une fonction musculaire altérée aussi bien chez les personnes saines ou dites vulnérables (e.g. atteintes d’une pathologie ou d’un traumatisme). La fatigue musculaire est une réduction de la capacité de production maximale de force, induite par l’exercice, que la tâche puisse être maintenue ou non (Bigland-Ritchie et al. 1983; Gandevia 2001; Enoka and Duchateau 2008). L’objectif général de cette thèse était d’étudier les stratégies d’activation neuromusculaire lors de la fatigue musculaire, de l’endurance musculaire et sur la performance musculaire au cours et/ou après des contractions volontaires et évoquées électriquement chez des personnes saines ou vulnérables tels que des enfants atteints d’infirmité motrice cérébrale (IMC) et des patients atteints de dystrophie musculaire facio-scapulo-humérale (DMFSH). / The clinical care of muscle fatigue with exercise therapies aim at quality of life improvement and usually involve unilateral exercises or neuromuscular electrical stimulation to compensate impaired muscle function in both healthy and health-compromised people. Muscle fatigue is a decline in maximal force production, induced with exercising, whether or not the task can be maintained (Bigland-Ritchie et al. 1983a; Gandevia 2001a; Enoka and Duchateau 2008). The overall objective of this thesis was to study the effect of neuromuscular activation strategies during muscle fatigue, endurance and muscle performance after voluntary and electrically evoked contractions in healthy and health-compromised populations such as children with cerebral palsy (CP) and patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).

A estimulação elétrica neuromuscular é um recurso reabilitacional funcional que tem como propósito a recuperação dos movimentos dos membros superiores ou inferiores. Com este recurso, é possível a pessoas que possuem uma lesão medular e que vêem suas vidas modificadas pelo advento da lesão, executarem ações que possam facilitar a sua independência nas habilidades diárias, uma vez que mudanças em seu esquema corporal e limitações reais às suas atividades cotidianas são observadas nestes casos. Acredita-se que seja comum a presença de reações psicológicas a este tratamento, porém, poucos estudos foram registrados até o momento. Considerando-se que uma intervenção que aborde aspectos físicos, psicológicos e sociais destas pessoas é indispensável a qualquer processo reabilitacional, esta pesquisa teve como objetivos identificar e analisar características psicossociais de usuários do programa de estimulação elétrica neuromuscular realizado no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Laboratório de Biomecânica e Reabilitação do Aparelho Locomotor. Suas concepções, reações e expectativas frente a este tipo de reabilitação também foram investigados, além da identificação das principais necessidades destas pessoas, oferecendo subsídios para a condução de um tratamento psicoterápico adequado ao quadro caracterológico das pessoas com lesão medular submetidas à estimulação elétrica neuromuscular, de forma a favorecer a realização de um processo reabilitacional que os contemplem em sua dinâmica biopsicossocial. Para isso, os participantes desta pesquisa foram divididos em dois grupos distintos. Os que se encontravam no primeiro ano de tratamento e os que o realizavam há mais de um ano. Foi utilizado um roteiro de entrevista semi estruturada que teve como propósito conhecer aspectos, tais como, a visão da pessoa com lesão medular sobre sua própria deficiência, formas de enfrentamento, vida social e familiar, bem como, suas concepções e expectativas no que diz respeito à reabilitação por meio da estimulação elétrica neuromuscular. Os entrevistados consideraram como uma de suas metas, a recuperação total ou parcial das funções que lhes foram subtraídas com a lesão medular, considerando efeitos positivos com a utilização deste tratamento, no alcance de melhorias físicas e psicossociais. Não obstante, eles procuram investir em vários outros aspectos de suas vidas, que não somente o reabilitacional, como por exemplo, os profissionais, familiares, sociais e afetivos / Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is a functional resource for rehabilitation, which aims recover the motions of inferior and superior limbs. With this resource, it is possible for spinal cord injury patients, who had their lives changed due to this injury, to execute actions that can make their independency to every day abilities easier, once changes in their body structure and real limitations to daily activities were noticed in this case. It is believed that the remark of psychological reactions are usual for this treatment, however, a few studies were registrated until the moment. In regarding to an intervention that deals with this patients’ physical and social aspects is essential to any rehabilitation process, this research aims to identify and analyze users’ psycho-social characteristics of neuromuscular electrical stimulation program made at Campinas State University hospital, Orthopedic and Traumatology Department of Medical Science School, Laboratory of Biomechanics and Rehabilitation of Inferior Limbs. Its concepts, reactions and expectations toward this kind of rehabilitation were also investigated, as well as the identification for the leading of a psychotherapeutic treatment appropriate to the characterization of the process of spinal cord injury patients who were subjected to neuromuscular electrical stimulation in order to be biased toward the achievement of a rehabilitational process, which gives to the spinal cord injured person in his/her biopsycho social dynamic. For this, subjects of this research were divided in two different groups. The first group, people who were in the first year of treatment and the second group, people who had been in treatment for more than one year. A schedule of a half-standard interview was used and aimed to know aspects such as spinal cord injured person´s point of view about his/her own disability, how he/she faces it, social and family life as well as his/her concepts and expectations regarding to rehabilitation through neuromuscular electrical stimulation. The total or partial recovering of the functions that were taken by the spinal cord injury was had as one of the patients´ goals, which were worried about the positive effects by using this treatment, within reach physical and psychosocial improvement. They tried to invest in many other aspects of life, such as professional, family, social and affective aspects