1216. Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation

In this "Ask the Expert" episode, Dr. GG deFiebre of SRNA was
joined by Dr. Rebecca Martin, who detailed the mechanism and
benefits of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSS). Dr.
Martin explained how TSS, a non-invasive method, aims to amplify
spinal cord excitability and improve neurological functions like
movement and sensation [00:01:25]. She contrasted TSS with
implanted spinal stimulators, noting their respective
applications and advantages [00:02:34]. Dr. Martin shared the
promising outcomes of TSS in clinical trials, emphasizing its
potential for widespread clinical use, and she urged patients to
inquire about it at their clinics [00:05:42]. You can read her
group's recent paper here:





"Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Enables Recovery of
Walking in Children with Acute Flaccid Myelitis"


https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/9/1116





Rebecca Martin, OTR/L, OTD, CPAM received her Bachelor of Science
in Occupational Therapy from Boston University in 2001 and her
Occupational Therapy Doctorate from Rocky Mountain University of
Allied Health Professions in 2008. Prior to joining the Kennedy
Krieger Institute, Dr. Martin worked in brain injury
rehabilitation in Boston, Massachusetts.





Dr. Martin joined Kennedy Krieger in 2005 as a Senior
Occupational Therapist in the International Center for Spinal
Cord Injury. Since 2010, Dr. Martin has been the Manager of
Clinical Education and Training at ICSCI and is responsible for
program development, staff training, and oversight of the
clinical research program. Dr. Martin speaks nationally on topics
related to Activity-Based Rehabilitation; she has taught many
continuing education courses for rehabilitation professionals in
the areas of neurological pathology, rehabilitation, and
research. She has been the principal investigator and
co-investigator for grants from the Paralyzed Veterans of America
Education Foundation and Department of Defense to develop,
promote, and disseminate an activity-based restorative therapy
training program and curriculum.





In 2011, Dr. Martin was awarded the Leader in Spinal Cord Injury
Care by the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at
Kennedy Krieger. From 2011-2016, Dr. Martin served as a Committee
Chair for the annual Contemporary Trends in Spinal Cord Injury
Management Symposium at Kennedy Krieger. As a consultant for
SwissStim, she has helped create clinical use guidelines for
training and documentation. In 2015, Dr. Martin was invited to
serve on the NIH and NINDS Committee to establish Pediatric
Spinal Cord Injury Common Data Elements.