Motor Conduction Time Along the Cauda Equina at Rest and After Walking Following Electrical and Magnetic Stimulation

Author(s): Ana Golez

Introduction: Intermittent neurogenic claudication because of lumbosacral spinal stenosis (LSS) usually begins in people over 60 years. Aim is to measure motor conduction time (CT) in the cauda equina (CE) in healthy people and patients with intermittent neurogenic claudication because of LSS at rest and after walking. To compare magnetic and electrical stimulation (MS and ES), and the sensitivity and specificity of both methods.

Methods: Study was randomized controlled trial. Motor CT in the CE of healthy people and patients with intermittent neurogenic claudication due to LSS at rest and after walking as well as the sensitivity and specificity of both methods were calculated.

Results: In healthy subjects, there were no statistically significant changes in CECT after ES (2.9 ms ± 1.6 ms) and MS (3.4 ms ± 1.3 ms) at rest, but it was statistically significantly longer in patients with LSS (5.2 ms ± 1.2 ms) after a 10-minute walk. The best sensitivity and specificity were after MS of CE after a 10-minute walk.

Conclusions: We noted statistically significantly prolonged CECT in patients with intermittent neurogenic claudication due to LSS after walking compared to being at rest and compared to healthy participants. We got the best sensitivity and specificity after MS of the CE after a 10-minute walk. Measuring CECT could become a useful routine non-invasive method, which could help physicians to choose an optimal way of treatment for people with intermittent neurogenic claudication because of LSS. However, the number of participants was small, and it would be advisable to conduct a study with a larger number of participants.