Publications by authors named "Alvaro Megia-Garcia"
Background: Recently we reported the design and evaluation of floating semi-implantable devices that receive power from and bidirectionally communicate with an external system using coupling by volume conduction. The approach, of which the semi-implantable devices are proof-of-concept prototypes, may overcome some limitations presented by existing neuroprostheses, especially those related to implant size and deployment, as the implants avoid bulky components and can be developed as threadlike devices. Here, it is reported the first-in-human acute demonstration of these devices for electromyography (EMG) sensing and electrical stimulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEfficacy of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy on Pain and Function in Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.
Am J Phys Med Rehabil
February 2024
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how effective extracorporeal shockwave therapy is in reducing pain and improving functionality for patients with myofascial pain syndrome.
- A systematic review of 27 randomized clinical trials demonstrated that this therapy significantly alleviates pain and enhances functionality compared to control groups, although it showed no advantage over other treatments like dry needling or exercise.
- Conclusions indicate that extracorporeal shockwave therapy offers a viable option for pain relief and functional improvement, making it a valuable treatment for myofascial pain syndrome.
Article Synopsis
- Recent studies show promise for lower limb exoskeletons in walking rehabilitation, but evidence on their effectiveness and user adaptation is still limited.
- A randomized trial with 23 patients assessed the safety and impact of the HANK exoskeleton through 15 gait training sessions, focusing on pain, fatigue, and various walking tests.
- Results indicated no major safety concerns, with significant improvement in the intervention group's walking ability as measured by the WISCI-II scale, suggesting HANK is safe and beneficial for rehabilitation.
Objective: Wireless power transfer (WPT) is used as an alternative to batteries to accomplish miniaturization in electronic medical implants. However, established WPT methods require bulky parts within the implant or cumbersome external systems, hindering minimally invasive deployments and the development of networks of implants. As an alternative, we propose a WPT approach based on volume conduction of high frequency (HF) current bursts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method able to modulate neuronal activity after stroke. The aim of this systematic review was to determine if tDCS combined with robotic therapy (RT) improves limb function after stroke when compared to RT alone.
Methods: A search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published prior to July 15, 2021 was performed.
Article Synopsis
- The posterior root muscle response (PRM) is a reflex triggered by spinal cord stimulation, and this study examines how changes in body weight affect the reflex's threshold in healthy individuals.
- Researchers applied electrical pulses to the spine while measuring muscle activity under various body weight conditions: lying down and standing with weights of 100%, 50%, and no load.
- The findings indicate that as body weight decreases, more stimulation is needed to trigger the PRM reflex in certain muscles; this is relevant for designing rehabilitation programs that use body weight support for gait training.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive, easy to administer, well-tolerated, and safe technique capable of affecting brain excitability, both at the cortical and cerebellum levels. However, its effectiveness has not been sufficiently assessed in all population segments or clinical applications. This systematic review aimed at compiling and summarizing the currently available scientific evidence about the effect of tDCS on functionality in older adults over 60 years of age.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Surface EMG-driven modelling has been proposed as a means to control assistive devices by estimating joint torques. Implanted EMG sensors have several advantages over wearable sensors but provide a more localized information on muscle activity, which may impact torque estimates. Here, we tested and compared the use of surface and intramuscular EMG measurements for the estimation of required assistive joint torques using EMG driven modelling.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEfficacy of Anodal Suboccipital Direct Current Stimulation for Endogenous Pain Modulation and Tonic Thermal Pain Control in Healthy Participants: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
Pain Med
December 2021
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether anodal DCS applied to the suboccipital (SO) target area could potentiate antinociception assessed primarily with conditioned pain modulation of tonic thermal test stimuli.
Design: Randomized double-blinded control trial.
Setting: Rehabilitation hospital.
Transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a non-invasive technique for neuromodulation and has therapeutic potential for motor rehabilitation following spinal cord injury. The main aim of the present study is to quantify the effect of a single session of tSCS on lower limb motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in healthy participants. A double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized, crossover, clinical trial was carried out in 15 participants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpidural spinal electrical stimulation at the lumbar spinal level evokes rhythmic muscle activation of lower-limb antagonists, attributed to the central pattern generator. However, the efficacy of noninvasive spinal stimulation for the activation of lower-limb muscles is not yet clear. This review aimed to analyze the feasibility and efficacy of noninvasive transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) on motor function in individuals with spinal cord injury.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To determine whether transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has an analgesic effect greater than placebo or other treatments in patients with fibromyalgia. Furthermore, it was intended to analyze the optimal application parameters to achieve a greater reduction of pain.
Design: A systematic review.