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The value associated with reward is sensitive to external factors, such as the time between the choice and reward delivery as classically manipulated in temporal discounting tasks. Subjective preference for two reward options is dependent on objective variables of reward magnitude and reward delay. Single neuron correlates of reward value have been observed in regions, including ventral striatum, orbital, and medial prefrontal cortex. Brain imaging studies show cortico-striatal-limbic network activity related to subjective preferences. To explore how oscillatory dynamics represent reward processing across brain regions, we measured local field potentials of rats performing a temporal discounting task. Our goal was to use a data-driven approach to identify an electrophysiological marker that correlates with reward preference. We found that reward-locked oscillations at beta frequencies signaled the magnitude of reward and decayed with longer temporal delays. Electrodes in orbitofrontal/medial prefrontal cortex, anterior insula, ventral striatum, and amygdala individually increased power and were functionally connected at beta frequencies during reward outcome. Beta power during reward outcome correlated with subjective value as defined by a computational model fit to the discounting behavior. These data suggest that cortico-striatal beta oscillations are a reward signal correlated, which may represent subjective value and hold potential to serve as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target.

Retinal prosthetics are one of the leading therapeutic strategies to restore lost vision in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. Much work has described patterns of spiking in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in response to electrical stimulation, but less work has examined the underlying retinal circuitry that is activated by electrical stimulation to drive these responses. Surprisingly, little is known about the role of inhibition in generating electrical responses or how inhibition might be altered during degeneration. Using whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings during subretinal electrical stimulation in the rd10 and wild-type (wt) retina, we found electrically evoked synaptic inputs differed between ON and OFF RGC populations, with ON cells receiving mostly excitation and OFF cells receiving mostly inhibition and very little excitation. We found that the inhibition of OFF bipolar cells limits excitation in OFF RGCs, and a majority of both pre- and postsynaptic inhibition in the OFF pathway arises from glycinergic amacrine cells, and the stimulation of the ON pathway contributes to inhibitory inputs to the RGC. We also show that this presynaptic inhibition in the OFF pathway is greater in the rd10 retina, compared with that in the wt retina.

Muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) can be affected by muscle fiber geometry at different joint angles and during joint movements. This study aimed to investigate MFCV during electrically evoked contraction at different joint angles, during joint movements, and during voluntary contractions. Sixteen healthy young men participated. A stimulation electrode was attached on the innervation zone of the vastus lateralis, and a linear electrode array was attached on the vastus lateralis. Under a static condition, electrically evoked electromyography signals were recorded at knee joint angles set every 15° between 0° and 105°. Under a passive movement condition, signals were recorded during knee extension and flexion passively. Under a voluntary contraction condition, signals were recorded while performing 30% or 60% of maximum voluntary contraction. MFCV was calculated using cross-correlation coefficients. Under the static condition, there were no differences in MFCV among various joint angles. Under the passive movement condition, MFCV was significantly greater during high velocity or shortening. Under the voluntary contraction condition, MFCV was significantly greater during high-intensity voluntary contraction and with a shortened muscle length. Joint angles do not influence MFCV markedly during relaxation, but it is possible to overestimate MFCV during movement or voluntary contraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous associated challenges arise with the advancement and continuous improvement of implantable medical devices, such as the frequent requirement for battery replacement. The flexible ultrasonic‐induced wireless energy conversion (UWEC) technology has garnered significant interest due to its superior energy transmission efficiency, safety, and biocompatibility compared to traditional electromagnetic wireless energy conversion technology. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the recent advancements in two types of flexible UWEC technologies, triboelectric nanogenerators, and piezoelectret nanogenerators, with a focus on their applications in implantable medical treatments. First, the energy conversion principles and general materials of flexible UWEC are presented. Then, the research and application of flexible UWEC devices are introduced in detail based on their medical functions. At the end of this review, perspectives and opportunities are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical stimulation has been integrated in recent decades into rehabilitation protocols following neuromuscular injuries. Existing literature supports the utilisation of prolonged or continuous stimulation generated by implantable or transcutaneous devices for chronic pain subsidence and muscle trophism maintenance, which improve outcomes following microsurgical interventions. Newer uses include brief electrical stimulation for peripheral nerve injury. Brief electrical stimulation has shown promise in expediting regeneration of both torn and crushed nerve axons in the murine model and has been incorporated into a limited number of clinical studies. Augmentation of the natural response of an injured peripheral nerve by electrical stimulation has the potential to accelerate regeneration, presumably leading to improved function and clinical outcomes. We review the existing literature on intraoperative utilisation of electrical stimulation to enhance regeneration, such as neural mechanisms of action and their microscopic effect in animal models, as well as results from initial human studies. Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigated the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the frontal ankle motor control in individuals with chronic ankle instability during drop landing. Design: This was a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial. Thirtysix individuals with chronic ankle instability were randomly assigned to each group. Participants received 6-wk neuromuscular electrical stimulation intervention and sham stimulation in the neuromuscular electrical stimulation and control groups, respectively. Data were collected at week0 and week6. A mixed-effects model and analysis of covariance were employed to investigate the between-group differences in continuous and discrete outcome variables at week6, with the outcome variables at week0 as covariates. Results: Compared to control group, neuromuscular electrical stimulation group exhibited a 2.66° (2.45, 2.86) reduction in frontal ankle inversion angle, a 47.41°/sec (−16.05, −78.77) decrease in peak ankle inversion angular velocity, and a 0.43 Nm/kg (0.18, 0.68) increase in peak ankle eversion moment during drop landing at week6. Conclusions: Applying 6-wk neuromuscular electrical stimulation to the fibularis longus resulted in decreased ankle inversion angle and ankle inversion angular velocity and increased peak ankle eversion moment during drop landing. Consequently, neuromuscular electrical stimulation could be considered an effective modality for individuals with chronic ankle instability to enhance the frontal ankle movement patterns and overall ankle motor control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Spinal cord injury damages axons, causing loss of motor and sensory function. • Promoting and guiding axonal regrowth is essential for functional recovery. • 3D-printed, electroconductive scaffolds with tuneable geometries were developed. • Scaffolds were functionalised with aligned, neurotrophic extracellular matrix. • Electrostimulation via scaffolds significantly increased outgrowth from neurons. Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurotrauma, affecting 250,000 to 500,000 people annually, and typically results in paralysis. Electrostimulation can promote neuronal growth, but the formation of a lesion cavity post-SCI inhibits regrowth, limiting its efficacy. Bridging the lesion with a structured, electroactive substrate to direct electrostimulation to growing neurites could support and drive neuronal regrowth through the lesion to enable functional recovery but to date, no such platform exists. This study describes the development of an electroconductive (15 ± 5 S/m), 3D-printed scaffold, comprising a polypyrrole/polycaprolactone framework filled with biomimetic & neurotrophic extracellular matrix. 3D printing allowed inclusion of channels in the scaffold designed to mimic the size of human corticospinal tracts to direct electrostimulation to growing neurons. Scaffolds exhibited excellent biocompatibility with both neurons and human primary astrocytes and maintained electrical and biofunctionality when scaled to match the size of human corticospinal tracts. When neurons were cultured for 7 days on the scaffolds under continuous electrostimulation (200 mV/mm, 12 Hz), significantly longer neurites were observed on electrically stimulated electroconductive scaffolds. These results demonstrate that electrostimulation applied via an anatomically-mimetic, 3D-printed electroconductive scaffold drives neurite outgrowth and represents a promising approach for treatment of spinal cord injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The value associated with reward is sensitive to external factors, such as the time between the choice and reward delivery as classically manipulated in temporal discounting tasks. Subjective preference for two reward options is dependent on objective variables of reward magnitude and reward delay. Single neuron correlates of reward value have been observed in regions, including ventral striatum, orbital, and medial prefrontal cortex. Brain imaging studies show cortico-striatal-limbic network activity related to subjective preferences. To explore how oscillatory dynamics represent reward processing across brain regions, we measured local field potentials of rats performing a temporal discounting task. Our goal was to use a data-driven approach to identify an electrophysiological marker that correlates with reward preference. We found that reward-locked oscillations at beta frequencies signaled the magnitude of reward and decayed with longer temporal delays. Electrodes in orbitofrontal/medial prefrontal cortex, anterior insula, ventral striatum, and amygdala individually increased power and were functionally connected at beta frequencies during reward outcome. Beta power during reward outcome correlated with subjective value as defined by a computational model fit to the discounting behavior. These data suggest that cortico-striatal beta oscillations are a reward signal correlated, which may represent subjective value and hold potential to serve as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piezoelectric materials can actively provide a bioelectric microenvironment by converting mechanical stimulations into electrical signals. Combining the excellent flexibility of piezoelectric polymers and the outstanding piezoelectric properties of piezoelectric ceramics, piezoelectric composites are attractive in tissue repair due to their high response to micromechanical stimulations. However, issues such as agglomeration, dielectric differences, and poor interfacial contact with polymers have limited the role of ceramics in improving the overall properties of the composites. In this work, functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (F-MWCNTs) are applied to disperse zinc oxide (ZnO) in the PVDF–TrFE matrix to prepare electrospun composite fiber films. Through the assistance of hydrogen bonding, F-MWCNTs act as bridges connecting ZnO nanoparticles with PVDF–TrFE, which improves the content and crystallinity of the β phase. Furthermore, this strategy enhances the local electric field and reduces dielectric differences, resulting in improved polarization and piezoelectric properties. Results show that the composite fiber film with 0.35 wt % F-MWCNTs could obtain an open-circuit voltage of up to 8.2 V, a β phase content of 83.36%, and a crystallinity of 57.63%. Meanwhile, due to the synergistic effect of F-MWCNTs and ZnO, the tensile strength and Young's modulus are increased from 3.5 and 11.0 to 6.6 and 19.49 MPa, respectively. Additionally, cellular experiments show that composite fiber films have good bioactivity and promote cell proliferation and adhesion, especially with 0.35 wt % F-MWCNTs. In conclusion, the composite fiber film possesses good piezoelectric and mechanical properties and enhances the cellular activity, making it a good tissue engineering scaffold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, negative pressure wound dressings have garnered widespread attentions. However, it is challenging to drain the accumulated fluid under negative pressures for hydrogel dressings. To address this issue, this study prepared a chemical/physical duel‐network PEG‐CMCS/AG/MXene hydrogel composed by chemical disulfide crosslinked network of four‐arm polyethylene glycol/carboxymethyl chitosan (4‐Arm‐PEG‐SH/CMCS), and the physical network of hydrogen bond of agar (AG). Under near‐infrared light (NIR) irradiation, the PEG‐CMCS/AG/MXene hydrogel undergoes photothermal heating due to integrate of MXene, which destructs the hydrogen bond network and allows the removal of exudate through a mechanism mimicking the sweat gland‐like effect of skin pores. The photothermal heating effect also enables the antimicrobial activity to prevent wound infections. The excellent electrical conductivity of PEG‐CMCS/AG/MXene can promote cell proliferation under the external electrical stimulation (ES) in vitro. The animal experiments of full‐thickness skin defect model further demonstrate its ability to accelerate wound healing. The conversion between thioester and thiol achieved with L‐cysteine methyl ester hydrochloride (L‐CME) can provides the on‐demand dissolution of the dressing in situ. This study holds promises to provide a novel solution to the issue of fluid accumulations under hydrogel dressings and offers new approaches to alleviating or avoiding the significant secondary injuries caused by frequent dressing changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical stimulation is an important adjuvant therapy for spinal surgery, but whether receiving electrical stimulation can improve the fusion rate after spinal surgery is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to analyse and evaluate the effect of electrical stimulation on the fusion rate after spinal surgery. We systematically searched for related articles published in the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases on or before September 30, 2023. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and the fusion rates of the experimental group and the control group were calculated by a random-effects meta-analysis model. The analysis showed that receiving electrical stimulation significantly increased the probability of successful spinal fusion (OR 2.66 [95% CI 1.79–3.97]), and the average fusion rate of the electrical stimulation group (86.8%) was significantly greater than that of the control group (73.7%). The fusion rate in the direct current (DC) stimulation group was 2.33 times greater than that in the control group (OR 2.33 [95% CI 1.37–3.96]), and that in the pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) group was 2.60 times greater than that in the control group (OR 2.60 [95% CI 1.29–5.27]). Similarly, the fusion rate in the capacitive coupling (CC) electrical stimulation group was 3.44 times greater than that in the control group (OR 3.44 [95% CI 1.75–6.75]), indicating that regardless of the type of electrical stimulation, the fusion rate after spinal surgery improved to a certain extent. Electrical stimulation as an adjuvant therapy seems to improve the fusion rate after spinal surgery to a certain extent, but the specific effectiveness of this therapy needs to be further studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To estimate the effect of integrating custom-designed hand therapy video games (HTVG) with contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) therapy. Methods: Fifty-two stroke survivors with chronic (>6 months) upper limb hemiplegia were randomized to 12 weeks of CCFES or CCFES + HTVG. Treatment involved self-administration of technology-mediated therapy at home plus therapist-administered CCFES-assisted task practice in the lab. Pre- and post-treatment assessments were made of hand dexterity, upper limb impairment and activity limitation, and cognitive function. Results: No significant between-group differences were found on any outcome measure, and the average magnitudes of improvement within both groups were small. The incidence of technical problems with study devices at home was greater for the CCFES + HTVG group. This negatively affected adherence and may partially explain the absence of effect of HTVG. At end-of-treatment, large majorities of both treatment groups had positive perceptions of treatment efficacy and expressed enthusiasm for the treatments. Conclusion: This study makes an important contribution to the research literature on the importance of environmental factors, concomitant impairments, and technology simplification when designing technology-based therapies intended to be self-administered at home. This study failed to show any added benefit of HTVG to CCFES therapy. Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03058796). IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) is an emerging therapy for upper limb rehabilitation after stroke that is designed, in part, to be self-administered at home. While movement-soliciting video games have shown promise in rehabilitation, this study failed to show a significant added benefit of integrating CCFES with hand therapy video games. For technology-based therapies intended to be self-administered at home, this study brings to light the importance of making every component of rehabilitation technology as user friendly and trouble-free as possible. For technology-based therapies intended to be self-administered at home, this study brings to light the importance of assuring that the home environment is conducive to home-based therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent interest in tissue engineering (TE) has focused on electrically conductive biomaterials. This has been inspired by the characteristics of the cells' microenvironment where signalling is supported by electrical stimulation. Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive influence of electrical stimulation on cell excitation to proliferate, differentiate, and deposit extracellular matrix. Even without external electrical stimulation, research shows that electrically active scaffolds can improve tissue regeneration capacity. Tissues like bone, muscle, and neural contain electrically excitable cells that respond to electrical cues provided by implanted biomaterials. To introduce an electrical pathway, TE scaffolds can incorporate conductive polymers, metallic nanoparticles, and ceramic nanostructures. However, these materials often do not meet implantation criteria, such as maintaining mechanical durability and degradation characteristics, making them unsuitable as scaffold matrices. Instead, depositing conductive layers on TE scaffolds has shown promise as an efficient alternative to creating electrically conductive structures. A stratified scaffold with an electroactive surface synergistically excites the cells through active top-pathway, with/without electrical stimulation, providing an ideal matrix for cell growth, proliferation, and tissue deposition. Additionally, these conductive coatings can be enriched with bioactive or pharmaceutical components to enhance the scaffold's biomedical performance. This review covers recent developments in electrically active biomedical coatings for TE. The physicochemical and biological properties of conductive coating materials, including polymers (polypyrrole, polyaniline and PEDOT:PSS), metallic nanoparticles (gold, silver) and inorganic (ceramic) particles (carbon nanotubes, graphene-based materials and Mxenes) are examined. Each section explores the conductive coatings' deposition techniques, deposition parameters, conductivity ranges, deposit morphology, cell responses, and toxicity levels in detail. Furthermore, the applications of these conductive layers, primarily in bone, muscle, and neural TE are considered, and findings from in vitro and in vivo investigations are presented. Tissue engineering (TE) scaffolds are crucial for human tissue replacement and acceleration of healing. Neural, muscle, bone, and skin tissues have electrically excitable cells, and their regeneration can be enhanced by electrically conductive scaffolds. However, standalone conductive materials often fall short for TE applications. An effective approach involves coating scaffolds with a conductive layer, finely tuning surface properties while leveraging the scaffold's innate biological and physical support. Further enhancement is achieved by modifying the conductive layer with pharmaceutical components. This review explores the under-reviewed topic of conductive coatings in tissue engineering, introducing conductive biomaterial coatings and analyzing their biological interactions. It provides insights into enhancing scaffold functionality for tissue regeneration, bridging a critical gap in current literature. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have become reliable green energy harvesters by converting biomechanical motions into electricity. However, the inevitable charge leakage and poor electric field (EF) of conventional TENG result in inferior tribo‐charge density on the active layer. In this paper, TiO2‐MXene incorporated polystyrene (PS) nanofiber membrane (PTMx NFM) charge trapping interlayer is introduced into single electrode mode TENG (S‐TENG) to prevent electron loss at the electrode interface. Surprisingly, this charge‐trapping mechanism augments the surface charge density and electric output performance of TENGs. Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) mixed polyurethane (PU) NFM is used as tribo‐active layer, which improves the crystallinity and mechanical property of PVDF to prevent delamination during long cycle tests. Herein, the effect of this double‐layer capacitive model is explained experimentally and theoretically. With optimization of the PTMx interlayer thickness, S‐TENG exhibits a maximum open‐circuit voltage of (280 V), short‐circuit current of (20 µA) transfer charge of (120 nC), and power density of (25.2 µW cm−2). Then, this energy is utilized to charge electrical appliances. In addition, the influence of AC/DC EF simulation in wound healing management (vitro L929 cell migration, vivo tissue regeneration) is also investigated by changing the polarity of trans‐epithelial potential (TEP) distribution in the wounded area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objective Methods Results Conclusions Dystonia presents a growing concern based on evolving prevalence insights. Previous research found that, in cervical dystonia, high‐frequency repetitive somatosensory stimulation (RSS; HF‐RSS) applied on digital nerves paradoxically diminishes sensorimotor inhibitory mechanisms, whereas low‐frequency RSS (LF‐RSS) increases them. However, direct testing on affected body parts was not conducted.This study aims to investigate whether RSS applied directly to forearm muscles involved in focal hand dystonia can modulate cortical inhibitory mechanisms and clinical symptoms.We applied HF‐RSS and LF‐RSS, the latter either synchronously or asynchronously, on forearm muscles involved in dystonia. Outcome measures included paired‐pulse somatosensory evoked potentials, spatial lateral inhibition measured by double‐pulse somatosensory evoked potentials, short intracortical inhibition tested with transcranial magnetic stimulation, electromyographic activity from dystonic muscles, and behavioral measures of hand function.Both synchronous and asynchronous low‐frequency somatosensory stimulation improved cortical inhibitory interactions, indicated by increased short intracortical inhibition and lateral spatial inhibition, as well as decreased amplitude of paired‐pulse somatosensory evoked potentials. Opposite effects were observed with high‐frequency stimulation. Changes in electrophysiological markers were paralleled by behavioral outcomes: although low‐frequency stimulations improved hand function tests and reduced activation of dystonic muscles, high‐frequency stimulation operated in an opposite direction.Our findings confirm the presence of abnormal homeostatic plasticity in response to RSS in the sensorimotor system of patients with dystonia, specifically in inhibitory circuits. Importantly, this aberrant response can be harnessed for therapeutic purposes through the application of low‐frequency electrical stimulation directly over dystonic muscles. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long‐range thalamocortical communication is central to anesthesia‐induced loss of consciousness and its reversal. However, isolating the specific neural networks connecting thalamic nuclei with various cortical regions for state‐specific anesthesia regulation is challenging, with the biological underpinnings still largely unknown. Here, simultaneous electroencephalogram‐fuctional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG‐fMRI) and deep brain stimulation are applied to the intralaminar thalamus in macaques under finely‐tuned propofol anesthesia. This approach led to the identification of an intralaminar‐driven network responsible for rapid arousal during slow‐wave oscillations. A network‐based RNA‐sequencing analysis is conducted of region‐, layer‐, and cell‐specific gene expression data from independent transcriptomic atlases and identifies 2489 genes preferentially expressed within this arousal network, notably enriched in potassium channels and excitatory, parvalbumin‐expressing neurons, and oligodendrocytes. Comparison with human RNA‐sequencing data highlights conserved molecular and cellular architectures that enable the matching of homologous genes, protein interactions, and cell types across primates, providing novel insight into network‐focused transcriptional signatures of arousal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of skeletal muscle atrophy, caused by disease and aging, is rising as life expectancy increases. Exercise is the most effective treatment option; however, it is often impractical for individuals suffering from disease or bedridden. The formulation of non-exercise-based interventions is necessary. This study assessed the impact of acupuncture (AC), electro-acupuncture (EA), and electrical stimulation (ES) on muscle mass and contractile properties in a model of casting-induced muscle atrophy. Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 40) were assigned to five groups: control (CON), cast (CT), cast receiving AC (CT-AC), cast receiving EA (CT-EA), and cast receiving ES (CT-ES) (n = 8 each). Treatments were 15 min and three times/week for 14 days. Contractile properties and protein markers of atrophy and inflammation were measured. Casting decreased muscle mass and fiber cross-sectional area, but AC, EA, and ES attenuated cast-induced muscle atrophy. All treatments increased peak twitch tension compared to CT. CT increased the protein levels of MAFbx and MuRF1, while AC, EA, and ES mitigated the elevation of these proteins. Our results indicate that acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and electrical stimulation show promise as therapeutic strategies to counteract skeletal muscle loss and dysfunction resulting from disuse atrophy caused by injury, disease, and aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and overactive bladder (OAB) are prevalent disorders that significantly impair women's quality of life. While pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is a well-established treatment for OAB, its effectiveness for FSD remains uncertain. Recent studies suggest that intravaginal electrical stimulation (IVES) may enhance the effects of PFMT. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combining IVES with PFMT to improve sexual function and bladder control in women with OAB and FSD. (2) Methods: A total of 40 women with FSD and OAB as determined by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) were randomized into two groups: group 1, the intravaginal electrical stimulation group (IVESG) (n = 20), and group 2, the placebo control group (CG) (n = 20). Patients in both groups received PFMT during the trial, and the IVESG underwent 10 weeks of electrical stimulation. The primary outcome was the change in the FSFI score from baseline to week 4 and week 10. The secondary outcome was a comparison of the OABSS values at week 4 and week 10 of the trial. (3) Results: After treatment, the IVESG scores for the total FSFI, sexual arousal and orgasm, increased significantly (p < 0.05). After 10 weeks of treatment, the OABSS values for IVESG were significantly lower (p < 0.01). After 10 weeks of treatment, the percentage of patients with mild OAB in the IVESG and CG increased by 53.33% and 60%, respectively, while the percentage of patients with both moderate and severe OAB decreased, especially in the IVESG, where patients with severe OAB were non-existent after 10 weeks of treatment. (4) Conclusions: IVES combined with PFMT improved objective and subjective measures of FSD and OAB. There was a significant improvement in FSD (including arousal and orgasmic domain scores). This study concludes that IVES is an effective conservative treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common neurological and psychiatric sequelae following a stroke, often surpassing the primary effects of the stroke due to its strong correlation with high mortality rates. In recent years, non-pharmacological therapy has garnered significant attention as a supplementary treatment for PSD, becoming widely adopted in clinical practice. However, the efficacy of specific intervention strategies remains unclear. This study aimed to conduct a network meta-analysis (NMA) of published studies to compare the efficacy of different non-pharmacological therapies for treating PSD. We systematically searched five databases from inception through March 2024 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating non-pharmacological therapies for the treatment of PSD. We considered individual intervention and intervention class. Intervention classes included traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), non-invasive electrotherapy stimulation (NIES), psychotherapy (PT), exercise therapy, hyperbaric oxygen, and combined interventions. The NMA was conducted using R and Stata software, following a frequency-based methodology. Assessment of methodological quality and risk of bias was conducted using the Risk of Bias assessment tool 2.0. Therapies were ranked using the P-score, and box-plots visualization, meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis, were performed to assess transitivity, heterogeneity, and consistency, respectively. The NMA included 43 studies with a total of 3138 participants. Random-effects models revealed significant efficacy for acupuncture (ACUP) (P-score = 0.92; pooled standardized mean difference (95% CI): −3.12 (−4.63 to −1.60)) and transcranial direct current stimulation (P-score = 0.85; −2.78 (−5.06 to −0.49)) compared to the treatment as usual (TAU) group. In categorical comparisons, TCM_PT (P-score = 0.82; −1.91 (−3.54 to −0.28)), TCM (P-score = 0.79; −1.65 (−2.33 to −0.97)), and NIES (P-score = 0.74; −1.54 (−2.62 to −0.46)) showed significant differences compared to TAU group. Furthermore, our results indicated no significant difference between PT and the control groups. However, Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis results indicated very low overall evidence grade. Limited evidence suggests that ACUP may be the most effective non-pharmacological therapy for improving PSD, and TCM_PT is the best intervention class. However, the evidence quality is very low, underscoring the need for additional high-quality RCTs to validate these findings, particularly given the limited number of RCTs available for each therapy. • Acupuncture showed the greatest improvement in depression symptoms in patients with post-stroke depression. • Given the overlap between stroke and depression symptoms, passive therapiesmay be more appropriate and efficacious for patients. • Categorical comparisons suggest that traditional Chinese medicine combined with psychotherapy may have the best efficacy in treating post-stroke depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The restoration of adequate function and sensation in nerves following an injury is often insufficient. Electrical stimulation (ES) applied during nerve repair can promote axon regeneration, which may enhance the likelihood of successful functional recovery. However, increasing operation time and complexity are associated with limited clinical use of ES. This study aims to better assess whether short-duration ES types (voltage mode vs. current mode) are able to produce enhanced regenerative activity following peripheral nerve repair in rat models. Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: no ES (control), 30-minute ES with a current pulse, and 30-minute ES with a voltage pulse. All groups underwent sciatic nerve transection and repair using a silicone tube to bridge the 6-mm gap between the stumps. In the 2 groups other than the control, ES was applied after the surgical repair. Outcomes were evaluated using electrophysiology, histology, and serial walking track analysis. Biweekly walking tracks test over 12 weeks revealed that subjects that underwent ES experienced more rapid functional improvement than subjects that underwent repair alone. Electrophysiological analysis of the newly intratubular sciatic nerve at week 12 revealed strong motor function recovery in rats that underwent 30-minute ES. Histologic analysis of the sciatic nerve and its tibial branch at 12 weeks demonstrated robust axon regrowth in all groups. Both types of short-duration ES applied during nerve repair can promote axon regrowth and enhance the chances of successful functional recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, a novel kind of composite scaffold was fabricated by loading vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and gastrodin liposome (GAS-LP) into electrospun silk fibroin/graphene oxide(SF/GO)nanofibrous and silk fibroin sponge-filled, respectively. Our results demonstrated that VEGF and GAS exhibited different release patterns in vitro which VEGF showed rapid release rate in the first few days while GAS was released slowly and continuously as encapsulated in liposomes. The scaffolds realized the combination of intraneural vascularization drugs and electrical stimulation effectively, leading to enhanced growth of RSC96 cells. Furthermore, the scaffolds could protect RSC96 cells in an inflammatory environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tissue stimulations greatly affect cell growth, phenotype, and function, and they play an important role in modeling tissue physiology. With the goal of understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying the response of tissues to external stimulations, in vitro models of tissue stimulation have been developed in hopes of recapitulating in vivo tissue function. Methods: Herein we review the efforts to create and validate tissue stimulators responsive to electrical or mechanical stimulation including tensile, compression, torsion, and shear. Results: Engineered tissue platforms have been designed to allow tissues to be subjected to selected types of mechanical stimulation from simple uniaxial to humanoid robotic stain through equal‐biaxial strain. Similarly, electrical stimulators have been developed to apply selected electrical signal shapes, amplitudes, and load cycles to tissues, lending to usage in stem cell‐derived tissue development, tissue maturation, and tissue functional regeneration. Some stimulators also allow for the observation of tissue morphology in real‐time while cells undergo stimulation. Discussion on the challenges and limitations of tissue simulator development is provided. Conclusions: Despite advances in the development of useful tissue stimulators, opportunities for improvement remain to better reproduce physiological functions by accounting for complex loading cycles, electrical and mechanical induction coupled with biological stimuli, and changes in strain affected by applied inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although biofeedback with contingent electrical stimulation (CES) has demonstrated the reduction effect on sleep bruxism (SB), the relationship between the actual applied CES intensity and efficacy remains uncertain. Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether the reduction of bruxism events and jaw muscle symptoms could vary according to the intensity of CES and in probable sleep bruxers. Methods: Twenty probable sleep bruxers were initially screened for bruxer confirmation based on a 2‐week recording of SB events with a portable electromyography recorder (BUTLER®GrindCare®, GC4). A 3‐week recording was conducted without CES using a GC4, followed by another 3‐week recording with CES. At baseline and before and after the CES (+) session, clinical muscle symptoms were assessed using a 0–10 numerical rating scale (NRS). The relationships between the actual applied CES intensity and the number of SB events/hour, as well as the NRS of clinical muscle symptoms, were analysed. Results: The actual applied CES intensity was positively correlated with the reduction rate of the number of SB events/hour (R =.643, p =.002), as well as with the reduction rate of NRS for pain, unpleasantness, fatigue, tension and stiffness (R >.500, p <.011). Conclusion: Higher CES elicited a more robust reduction in SB events and clinical muscle symptoms, in probable bruxers. Prior to selecting CES biofeedback as a management option for SB, it would be beneficial to assess the tolerance threshold of CES in each bruxer in order to predict the effectiveness of CES in probable sleep bruxers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recovery after visual loss is a key goal of neuroscience and treatments able to improve visual function are still largely lacking. Glaucoma, one of the leading causes of visual disability in the world, is usually associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), but a subset of "normal tension glaucoma" patients develop damage without ever manifesting high IOP. Sometimes, even in patients with good control of IOP, retinal ganglion cell degeneration can progress to forward blindness. Moreover, usually the damage already caused by the disease remains. These considerations underline the need to find new, effective treatments and solutions to add to the standard ones. In this paper, we expose the most important data supporting the use of alternating current stimulation, including the theoretical bases of this approach, in glaucoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Electrical stimulation (ES) has been shown to substantially enhance the quality of life by alleviating pain in patients with chronic wounds. This study aimed to observe the effects of low‐frequency pulsed wearable ES at the common peroneal nerve on chronic refractory wounds of the lower limb. Methods: Forty‐eight participants were randomly divided into control group (n = 24) and treatment group (n = 24) in this study. The control group received standard wound care (SWC) exclusively, whereas the treatment group was administered both SWC and the wearable low‐frequency ES targeting the common peroneal nerve. Measurements of wound area, pain intensity, wound status, and quality of life scores were systematically recorded both before and after 4 weeks treatment. Results: After 4 weeks of intervention, the percentage area reduction was significantly higher in the treatment group compared to the control group (Z = −3.9, p < 0.001), and the healing rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (33% vs. 4%). Moreover, the Visual Analog Scale for Pain score (β = −0.65, p = 0.019), the Bates‐Jensen Wound Assessment Tool score (p < 0.05), and the questionnaire on quality of life with chronic wounds (Wound‐Qol) score (β = −4.23, p = 0.003) were significantly decreased in the patients in the treatment group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The wearable low‐frequency pulsed ES at the common peroneal nerve for the treatment of chronic refractory wounds showed significant improvement and were far superior compared to SWC. Future research should broaden its scope to include a diverse range of wound types and benefit from collaboration across multiple research centers. Key messages: Traditional wound dressings are currently inadequate for addressing chronic wound closure.The wearable electrical stimulation (ES), an economical and noninvasive form of physical therapy, can be beneficial in facilitating the healing process of chronic wounds.The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of wearable low‐frequency pulsed ES at the common peroneal nerve on chronic refractory wounds of the lower limb.The wearable low‐frequency pulsed ES at the common peroneal nerve for the treatment of chronic refractory wounds showed significant improvement and were far superior compared to standard wound care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repetitive passive movement (RPM) enhances reciprocal inhibition. RPM is more effective when performed rapidly and at wide joint angles. However, patients with limited joint range of motion may not receive the most effective RPM. Therefore, having an alternative method for performing RPM in patients who cannot perform actual exercise due to limited joint motion is necessary. This study investigated the effects of RPM on spinal excitability using a visual kinesthetic illusion. Participants included 17 healthy adults (7 women). Measurements were taken before, during, and immediately after the intervention. We established two intervention conditions: the control condition, in which participants focused their attention forward, and the illusion condition, in which participants watched a video about RPM. F-waves from the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles were measured, and F-wave persistence and F/M amplitude ratios were analyzed. Under the illusion condition, compared with the preintervention condition, the F/M amplitude ratio of the tibialis anterior increased by approximately 44% during the intervention (p < 0.05), whereas the F-wave persistence of the soleus decreased by approximately 23% from the immediate start of the intervention (p < 0.05). This study suggests that a visual kinesthetic illusion can increase the spinal excitability of the tibialis anterior, whereas reciprocal inhibition can decrease the spinal excitability of the soleus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The potential neuroprotective and regenerative properties of electrical stimulation (ES) were studied in rhodopsin knockout mice (Rho-/-), a murine model of inherited retinal degeneration. The study focused on assessing the impact of varying ES frequencies on visual functions and photoreceptor cell survival in Rho-/- mice. Methods: To elucidate the impact of electrical stimulation on cone survival, Rho-/- mice received either sham or transpalpebral ES using biphasic ramp or rectangular waveforms at 100 µA amplitude, starting at six weeks of age. The treatment duration spanned from one to three weeks. The optimal treatment frequency of ES sessions was determined by applying ES every one, two, or three days in three separate groups of Rho-/- mice. The sham group received daily treatments without the application of ES. Results: Our study revealed significant improvement of visual function in Rho-/- mice following daily or every-other-day noninvasive transpalpebral ES, as evidenced by electroretinogram and optomotor response-based visual behavior assays. Concurrently, assessment of outer nuclear thickness and immunohistochemistry for the cone photoreceptor cell marker PNA demonstrated pronounced increases in the survival of rods and cones and improvement in the morphology of the inner and outer segments. Discussion: This study underscores the protective effect of non-invasive ES in rhodopsin knockout-induced retinal degenerative disorders, providing a foundation for developing targeted therapeutic interventions for retinitis pigmentosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The previous effects of acupuncture-related interventions in improving chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) symptoms and quality of life (QoL) remain unclear in terms of pairwise comparisons. Aims: This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to determine the hierarchical effects of acupuncture-related interventions on symptoms, pain, and QoL associated with CIPN in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: Nine electronic databases were searched, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Medline Ovid, Airiti Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Journal full-text database (CJFD), and Wanfang. Medical subject heading terms and text words were used to search for eligible randomized controlled trials published from database inception to May 2023. Results: A total of 33 studies involving 2,027 participants were included. Pairwise meta-analysis revealed that acupuncture-related interventions were superior to usual care, medication, or dietary supplements in improving CIPN symptoms, CIPN pain, and QoL. Furthermore, network meta-analysis indicated that acupuncture plus electrical stimulation (acupuncture-E) had the greatest overall effect among the various interventions. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) revealed that acupuncture-E ranked the highest in improving CINP symptoms. Acupuncture alone was most effective in reducing CIPN pain, and acupuncture plus moxibustion (acupuncture-M) ranked highest in enhancing QoL. Conclusion: This finding suggests that acupuncture-related interventions can provide patients with benefits in improving CIPN symptoms, pain, and QoL. In particular, acupuncture-E could be the most effective approach in which the provided evidence offers diverse options for cancer patients and healthcare professionals. Implication for the profession and/or patient care: These findings provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of acupuncture-related interventions for managing symptoms, pain, and QoL associated with CIPN in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Among the various interventions studied, overall, acupuncture-E had the most significant impact and was effective for a minimum duration of 3 weeks. On the other hand, transcutaneous electrical acupoint/nerve stimulation (TEAS) was identified as a noninvasive and feasible alternative for patients who had concerns about needles or the risk of bleeding. It is recommended that TEAS interventions should be carried out for a longer period, preferably lasting 4 weeks, to achieve optimal outcomes. Trial registration: The study protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. Registration Number: CRD42022319871. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing mechanical energy harvesters for electrical stimulation (ES) needed to augment cell behavior is a burgeoning area of interest. Mechanical energy harvesters that can generate electrical energy in electrolyte‐containing aqueous environments offer a unique solution for delivering ES to cells. In this work, a fully integrated ES assembly (FESA) is introduced that comprises coiled polydopamine (PDA) containing carbon nanotube yarn (CNT) harvesters, serving as ES generators, and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) coated carbon nanotube (PEDOT/CNT) sheets employed as a conductive scaffold. The PDA containing CNT (PDA/CNT) yarn, a novel twistron electrode, achieves an enhanced electrical power at a lower matching impedance than coiled CNT yarn to efficiently transfer ES to the conductive scaffold. The PEDOT used for the scaffold provides a suitable surface for cell adhesion and low resistance for effective ES transmission. In addition, the upscaled array of coiled PDA/CNT yarns provides an ES current density range up to 75.4 µA cm−2, which is much higher than for ES systems using different mechanical energy harvesters. This FESA is designed to provide an optimal level of ES for the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes. The findings illuminate the potential of chemically modified twistron energy harvesters as an innovative and effective strategy to promote biological response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With electrical stimulation, retinal prostheses bypass dysfunctional photoreceptors and activate the surviving bipolar or retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Therefore, the effective modulation of RGCs is crucial for developing retinal prostheses. Substantial research has been performed on the ability of an electrical stimulus to generate a reliable RGC response. However, different experimental conditions show varying levels of how well the electrical stimulation evokes RGC spikes. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to extract an indicator to understand how the electrical stimulation effectively evokes RGC spikes. Six cynomolgus monkeys were used: three as controls and three as an N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced retinal degeneration model. The retinal recordings were performed using 8 x 8 multi-electrode arrays (MEAs). Electrical stimulation consisted of symmetrical biphasic pulses of varying amplitudes and durations. The number of stimulation conditions that resulted in significantly higher post-stimulation firing rates than pre-stimulus firing rates was defined as the modulation efficiency ratio (MER). The MER was significantly lower in degenerated retinas than in normal retinas. We investigated the relationship between the variables and the MER in normal and degenerated primate RGCs. External variables, such as duration and inter-electrode distance, and internal variables, such as average firing rates and statistics (mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation [CV]) of inter-spike intervals (ISIs) of spontaneous spikes, were used. External variables had similar effects on MER in normal and degenerated RGCs. In contrast, internal variables affected MER differently in normal and degenerated RGCs. While in normal RGCs, they were not related to MER, in degenerated RGCs, the mean ISIs were positively correlated with MER, and the CV of ISIs was negatively correlated with MER. The most important variable affecting MER was the mean ISI. A shorter ISI indicates hyperactive firing in the degenerated retina, which prevents electrical stimulation from evoking more RGCs. We believe that this hyperactivity in degenerated retinas results in a lower MER than that in the normal retina. Our findings can be used to optimize the selection of stimulation channels for in vitro MEA experiments and practical calibration methods to achieve higher efficiency when testing retinal prostheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: While electrical stimulation has been demonstrated to improve medical research council (MRC) scores in critically ill patients, its effectiveness remains a subject of debate. This meta-analysis aimed to discuss recent insights into the effectiveness of electrical stimulation in improving muscle strength and its effects on different clinical outcomes in critically ill adults. Methods: A comprehensive search of major electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase, was conducted from inception to June 15, 2024, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of electrical stimulation in critically ill patients. The analysis focused on comparing electrical stimulation to standard care, sham interventions, or placebo. Outcomes of interest included MRC scores, duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), mortality rate, and intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS). Results: A total of 23 RCTs, including 1798 patients, met the inclusion criteria. The findings demonstrated a significant benefit of electrical stimulation over usual care in enhancing global muscle strength, as measured by MRC scores (MD =3.62, 95% CI 0.94 to 6.30, p = 0.0008, I2 = 87%). While subgroup analysis of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) demonstrated no significant effect on ICU LOS, sensitivity analysis indicated a potential reduction in ICU LOS for both EMS (MD = -11.0, 95% CI -21.12 to -0.88, p = 0.03) and electrical stimulation overall (MD = -1.02, 95% CI -1.96 to -0.08, p = 0.03) compared to the control group. In addition, sensitivity analysis suggested that both electrical stimulation (MD = -2.38, 95% CI -3.81 to -0.94, p = 0.001) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) specifically (MD = -2.36, 95% CI -3.85 to -0.88, p = 0.002) may contribute to a decrease in hospital LOS. No statistically significant differences were observed in mortality or duration of MV. Conclusion: Electrical stimulation appears to be an effective intervention for improving MRC scores in critically ill patients. However, further research is warranted to explain the potential effects of electrical stimulation on hospital LOS and ICU LOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Bone has bioelectric effects. However, bone defects can lead to loss of endogenous bioelectricity in bone. The implantation of bone tissue engineering scaffolds with bioelectric effect into bone defects will replenish the missing electrical signals and accelerate the repair of bone defects. OBJECTIVE: To introduce the bioelectric effect of bone tissue and expound the repair effect of electrical stimulation on bone defects, summarize the research progress of bioelectric effect applied to bone tissue engineering, in order to provide new ideas for the research of bone tissue engineering. METHODS: Relevant articles were searched on CNKI, WanFang, PubMed, Web of Science and ScienceDirect databases, using “bioelectrical effect, bioelectrical materials, electrical stimulation, bone tissue engineering, bone scaffold, bone defect, bone repair, osteogenesis” as the English and Chinese search terms. Finally, 87 articles were included for analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Bioelectrical effect combined with ex vivo electrical stimulation to design bone tissue engineering scaffolds is an ideal and feasible approach, and the main materials involved include metallic materials, graphene materials, natural bio-derived materials, and synthetic biomaterial. At present, the most widely used conductive material is graphene material, which benefits from its super conductivity, large specific surface area, good biocompatibility with cells and bones, and excellent mechanical properties. (2) Graphene materials are mainly introduced into the scaffold as modified materials to enhance the conductivity of the overall scaffold, while its large surface area and rich functional groups can promote the loading and release of bioactive substances. (3) However, there are still some major challenges to overcome for bioelectrically effective bone tissue engineering scaffolds: not only electrical conductivity but also the overall performance of the bracket needs to be considered; lack of uniform, standardized preparation of bioelectrically effective bone tissue engineering scaffolds; extracorporeal electrical stimulation intervention systems are not yet mature enough; lack of individualized guidance on stent selection to enable the selection and design of the most appropriate stent for patients with different pathologies. (4) When designing conductive scaffolds, researchers have to deeply consider the comprehensive effects of the scaffolds, such as biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and biodegradability. This combination of properties can be achieved by combining multiple materials. (5) Beyond that, clinical translation should be the ultimate consideration for conductive stent design. On the basis of evaluating the safe current threshold for electrical stimulation to act on the human body and facilitate the repair of bone defects, animal experiments as well as basic experiments are designed and then applied to the clinic to achieve the ultimate goal of applying bioelectrical effect bone tissue engineering scaffolds in the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the human brain to operate, populations of neurons across anatomical structures must coordinate their activity within milliseconds. To date, our understanding of such interactions has remained limited. We recorded directly from the hippocampus (HPC), posteromedial cortex (PMC), ventromedial/orbital prefrontal cortex (OFC), and the anterior nuclei of the thalamus (ANT) during two experiments of autobiographical memory processing that are known from decades of neuroimaging work to coactivate these regions. In 31 patients implanted with intracranial electrodes, we found that the presentation of memory retrieval cues elicited a significant increase of low frequency (LF < 6 Hz) activity followed by cross-regional phase coherence of this LF activity before select populations of neurons within each of the four regions increased high-frequency (HF > 70 Hz) activity. The power of HF activity was modulated by memory content, and its onset followed a specific temporal order of ANT→HPC/PMC→OFC. Further, we probed cross-regional causal effective interactions with repeated electrical pulses and found that HPC stimulations cause the greatest increase in LF-phase coherence across all regions, whereas the stimulation of any region caused the greatest LF-phase coherence between that particular region and ANT. These observations support the role of the ANT in gating, and the HPC in synchronizing, the activity of cortical midline structures when humans retrieve self-relevant memories of their past. Our findings offer a fresh perspective, with high temporal fidelity, about the dynamic signaling and underlying causal connections among distant regions when the brain is actively involved in retrieving self-referential memories from the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wound infections pose a major healthcare issue, affecting the well‐being of millions of patients worldwide. Effective intervention and on‐site detection are important in wound management. However, current approaches are hindered by time‐consuming analysis and a lack of technology for real‐time monitoring and prompt therapy delivery. In this study, a smart wound patch system (SWPS) designed for wireless closed‐loop and in‐situ wound management is presented. The SWPS integrates a microfluidic structure, an organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) based sensor, an electrical stimulation module, and a miniaturized flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The OECT incorporates a bacteria‐responsive DNA hydrogel‐coated gate for continuous monitoring of bacterial virulence at wound sites. Real‐time detection of OECT readings and on‐demand delivery of electrical cues to accelerate wound healing is facilitated by a mobile phone application linked with an FPCB containing low‐power electronics equipped with parallel sensing and stimulation circuitry. In this proof‐of‐concept study, the functionality of the SWPS is validated and its application both in vitro and in vivo is demonstrated. This proposed system expands the arsenal of tools available for effective wound management and enables personalized treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Purpose Electrical stimulation of the gut has been investigated in recent decades with a view to treating various gastro‐intestinal motility disorders including, among others, gastric electrical stimulation to relieve nausea and vomiting associated with gastroparesis and sacral neuromodulation to treat fecal incontinence and/or constipation. Although their symptomatic efficacy has been ascertained by randomized controlled trials, their mechanisms of action are not fully understood.This review summarizes the past year's literature on the mechanisms of action of gut electrical stimulation therapies, including their impact on the gut‐brain axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piezoelectric nanomaterials for wireless neuromodulation is a promising alternative to traditional electrical stimulation. However, the low‐avidity between piezoelectric nanomaterials and cellular membranes leads to low efficiency of electrical signal transmission, which requires high‐intensity thresholds of ultrasound stimulation (US). Here, lead‐free piezoelectric (K,Na)NbO3 (KNN) nanoparticles (NPs) with cholesterol coating (KNNC) are presented, in which Cholesterol can be accommodated in the membrane and make them append on the plasma membrane. Compared to non‐modified nanoparticles, cell‐anchored KNNC NPs highly resist convective washout owing to high affinity of cholesterol to biological membranes, which enables highly efficient wireless electrical stimulation to activate cell impulses under low‐intensity ultrasound. Meanwhile, after perfusion washing, the KNNC NPs distributed around the cells are washed away, while part of KNNC NPs remain on the surface of cell membrane still can induce significant Ca2+ influx under US, similar to the group without washing, indicating the KNNC NPs appended on the cell play a major role in wireless electrical stimulation. Furthermore, the highly efficient electrical transmission of KNNC enables neural differentiation of stem cells in regulating synaptic plasticity by modulating Ca2+ influx, demonstrating that KNNC NPs offer a perspective toward minimally invasive wireless neuromodulation therapies for neurological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peak alpha frequency (PAF), the dominant oscillatory frequency within the alpha range (8–12 Hz), is associated with cognitive function and several neurological conditions, including chronic pain. Manipulating PAF could offer valuable insight into the relationship between PAF and various functions and conditions, potentially providing new treatment avenues. This systematic review aimed to comprehensively synthesise effects of non‐invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) on PAF speed. Relevant studies assessing PAF pre‐ and post‐NIBS in healthy adults were identified through systematic searches of electronic databases (Embase, PubMed, PsychINFO, Scopus, The Cochrane Library) and trial registers. The Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool was employed for assessing study quality. Quantitative analysis was conducted through pairwise meta‐analysis when possible; otherwise, qualitative synthesis was performed. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020190512) and the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/2yaxz/). Eleven NIBS studies were included, all with a low risk‐of‐bias, comprising seven transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), three repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and one transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) study. Meta‐analysis of active tACS conditions (eight conditions from five studies) revealed no significant effects on PAF (mean difference [MD] = −0.12, 95% CI = −0.32 to 0.08, p = 0.24). Qualitative synthesis provided no evidence that tDCS altered PAF and moderate evidence for transient increases in PAF with 10 Hz rTMS. However, it is crucial to note that small sample sizes were used, there was substantial variation in stimulation protocols, and most studies did not specifically target PAF alteration. Further studies are needed to determine NIBS's potential for modulating PAF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the neurologic symptoms and stimulus intensities in the stimulation of deep structures and subcortical fibers with the depth electrodes. Seventeen patients with drug-refractory epilepsy who underwent functional brain mapping with the depth electrodes were enrolled. The 50 Hz electrical stimulation was applied, and the diffusion tensor image was used to identify subcortical fibers. The responsible structures and stimulus intensities for the induced neurologic symptoms were evaluated. Neurologic symptoms were induced in 11 of 17 patients. The opercular stimulation elicited the neurologic symptoms in 6 patients at the median threshold of 4.0 mA (visceral/face/hand sensory, hand/throat motor, negative motor and auditory symptoms). The insular stimulation induced the neurologic symptoms in 4 patients at the median threshold of 4.0 mA (auditory, negative motor, and sensory symptoms). The stimulation of subcortical fibers was induced in 5 of 9 patients at the median threshold of 4.5 mA. The thresholds of depth electrodes were significantly lower than those of subdural electrodes in 8 patients who used both subdural and depth electrodes and induced symptoms with both electrodes. The stimulation of depth electrodes can identify the function of deep structures and subcortical fibers with lower intensities than subdural electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous generation of native endogenous electric fields (EFs) after wounding is the hallmark of enhanced wound healing (WH). Focus has been given toward creation of smart technologies that provide an external EF. Piezoelectric based dressings when applied to wound sites can conveniently generate EF in response to body's natural movement and promote WH. In this perspective, piezoelectric nanobiomaterials are gaining significant attention due to their high surface energy and complex cell-material interactions. This review discusses role of EF in WH simultaneously exploring their development and use for skin regeneration. Important properties of these materials and future directions are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Electrical stimulation of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus inhibits inflammation with no heart rate effects. • This approach beneficially alters cytokine levels in mice with experimental sepsis. • This approach also improves survival in experimental sepsis. The vagus nerve plays an important role in neuroimmune interactions and in the regulation of inflammation. A major source of efferent vagus nerve fibers that contribute to the regulation of inflammation is the brainstem dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMN), as recently shown using optogenetics. In contrast to optogenetics, electrical neuromodulation has broad therapeutic implications. However, the anti-inflammatory effectiveness of electrical stimulation of the DMN (eDMNS) and the possible heart rate (HR) alterations associated with this approach have not been investigated. Here, we examined the effects of eDMNS on HR and cytokine levels in mice administered with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) and in mice subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) sepsis. Anesthetized male 8–10-week-old C57BL/6 mice on a stereotaxic frame were subjected to eDMNS using a concentric bipolar electrode inserted into the left or right DMN or sham stimulation. eDMNS (500, 250 or 50 μA at 30 Hz, for 1 min) was performed and HR recorded. In endotoxemia experiments, sham or eDMNS utilizing 250 μA or 50 μA was performed for 5 mins and was followed by LPS (0.5 mg/kg) i.p. administration. eDMNS was also applied in mice with cervical unilateral vagotomy or sham operation. In CLP experiments sham or left eDMNS was performed immediately post CLP. Cytokines and corticosterone were analyzed 90 mins after LPS administration or 24 h after CLP. CLP survival was monitored for 14 days. Either left or right eDMNS at 500 μA and 250 μA decreased HR, compared with baseline pre-stimulation. This effect was not observed at 50 μA. Left side eDMNS at 50 μA, compared with sham stimulation, significantly decreased serum and splenic levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF and increased serum levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 during endotoxemia. The anti-inflammatory effect of eDMNS was abrogated in mice with unilateral vagotomy and was not associated with serum corticosterone alterations. Right side eDMNS in endotoxemic mice suppressed serum TNF and increased serum IL-10 levels but had no effects on splenic cytokines. In mice with CLP, left side eDMNS suppressed serum IL-6, as well as splenic IL-6 and increased splenic IL-10 and significantly improved the survival rate of CLP mice. For the first time we show that a regimen of eDMNS which does not cause bradycardia alleviates LPS-induced inflammation. These eDMNS anti-inflammatory effects require an intact vagus nerve and are not associated with corticosteroid alterations. eDMNS also decreases inflammation and improves survival in a model of polymicrobial sepsis. These findings are of interest for further studies exploring bioelectronic anti-inflammatory approaches targeting the brainstem DMN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regenerative capacity of the peripheral nervous system is limited, and peripheral nerve injuries often result in incomplete healing and poor outcomes even after repair. Transection injuries that induce a nerve gap necessitate microsurgical intervention; however, even the current gold standard of repair, autologous nerve graft, frequently results in poor functional recovery. Several interventions have been developed to augment the surgical repair of peripheral nerves, and the application of functional biomaterials, local delivery of bioactive substances, electrical stimulation, and allografts are among the most promising approaches to enhance innate healing across a nerve gap. Biocompatible polymers with optimized degradation rates, topographic features, and other functions provided by their composition have been incorporated into novel nerve conduits (NCs). Many of these allow for the delivery of drugs, neurotrophic factors, and whole cells locally to nerve repair sites, mitigating adverse effects that limit their systemic use. The electrical stimulation of repaired nerves in the perioperative period has shown benefits to healing and recovery in human trials, and novel biomaterials to enhance these effects show promise in preclinical models. The use of acellular nerve allografts (ANAs) circumvents the morbidity of donor nerve harvest necessitated by the use of autografts, and improvements in tissue-processing techniques may allow for more readily available and cost-effective options. Each of these interventions aid in neural regeneration after repair when applied independently, and their differing forms, benefits, and methods of application present ample opportunity for synergistic effects when applied in combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spurred by patient interest, ALSUntangled herein examines the potential of the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS™) in treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The PoNS™ device, FDA-approved for the treatment of gait deficits in adult patients with multiple sclerosis, utilizes translingual neurostimulation to stimulate trigeminal and facial nerves via the tongue, aiming to induce neuroplastic changes. While there are early, promising data for PoNS treatment to improve gait and balance in multiple sclerosis, stroke, and traumatic brain injury, no pre-clinical or clinical studies have been performed in ALS. Although reasonably safe, high costs and prescription requirements will limit PoNS accessibility. At this time, due to the lack of ALS-relevant data, we cannot endorse the use of PoNS as an ALS treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic neck pain (cNP) is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, often being refractory to conventional forms of treatment. Various forms of electrical stimulation have been proposed to decrease pain and improve function. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for treatment of cNP have rarely been published. Methods: An independent retrospective statistical analysis of PROMs data for users of H-Wave® device stimulation (HWDS), prospectively collected by the device manufacturer over a 4-year period, was conducted. Final surveys for 34,192 pain management patients were filtered for pain chronicity limited to 3–24 months and device use of 22–365 days, resulting in 11,503 patients with "all diagnoses"; this number was further reduced to 1482 patients with cNP, sprain, or strain. Results: Neck pain was reduced by 3.13 points (0–10 pain scale), with significant (≥ 20%) relief in 86.6%. Function/activities of daily living (ADL) improved in 96.19%, while improved work performance was reported in 84.76%. Medication use decreased or stopped in 65.42% and sleep improved in 60.39%. Over 95% reported having expectations met or exceeded, service satisfaction, and confidence in device use, while no adverse events were reported. Subgroup analyses found positive benefit associations with longer duration of device use. Conclusion: Near-equivalent outcomes were self-reported by cNP HWDS patients as for (previously published) chronic low back pain (cLBP) patients. HWDS provided effective and safe cNP relief, improvements in function and ADL, along with additional benefits including decreased medication use, better sleep, and improved work performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the feasibility of a novel brain–computer interface (BCI) device designed for sensory training following stroke. The BCI system administers electrotactile stimuli to the user's forearm, mirroring classical sensory training interventions. Concurrently, selective attention tasks are employed to modulate electrophysiological brain responses (somatosensory event-related potentials—sERPs), reflecting cortical excitability in related sensorimotor areas. The BCI identifies attention-induced changes in the brain's reactions to stimulation in an online manner. The study protocol assesses the feasibility of online binary classification of selective attention focus in ten subacute stroke patients. Each experimental session includes a BCI training phase for data collection and classifier training, followed by a BCI test phase to evaluate online classification of selective tactile attention based on sERP. During online classification tests, patients complete 20 repetitions of selective attention tasks with feedback on attention focus recognition. Using a single electroencephalographic channel, attention classification accuracy ranges from 70% to 100% across all patients. The significance of this novel BCI paradigm lies in its ability to quantitatively measure selective tactile attention resources throughout the therapy session, introducing a top-down approach to classical sensory training interventions based on repeated neuromuscular electrical stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to examine the characteristics of electrically induced retinal damage. A retinal prosthesis must be both effective and safe, but most research related to electrical stimulation of the retina has involved measures of efficacy (for example, stimulus threshold), while relatively little research has investigated the safety of electrical stimulation. In this study, a single platinum microelectrode was inserted into the vitreous cavity of normally-sighted adult Long Evans pigmented rats. In one group of animals, no contact was made between the electrode and the retina and current pulses of 0.05 (n = 3) and 0.2 (n = 6) μC/phase were applied. In a second group, visible contact (slight dimpling of the retina) was made between the electrode and the retina and current pulses of 0.09 (n = 4) μC/phase were applied. In both cases, stimulus pulses (biphasic, cathodic first, 1 ms/phase) were applied for 1 h at 100 Hz. Also, control experiments were run with no electrical stimulation with retina contact (n = 4) and with no retinal contact (n = 3). After stimulation, the animal was survived for 2 weeks with ocular photography and electroretinography (ERG) to document changes. During the follow-up period, retinal changes were observed only when the electrode contacted the retina, with or without electrical stimulation. No difference was noted in ERG amplitude or latency comparing the test eye to the stimulated eye. Histological analysis was performed after sacrifice at 2 weeks. A semi-quantitative method for grading 18 features of retina/RPE/choroidal appearance was established and integer grades applied to both test and control eyes. Using this method and comparing the most severely affected area (highest grade), significant differences ( p < 0.05) were noted between experiments with retinal contact and without retinal contact in all features except inner nuclear layer thickness. No difference was noted within a group based on the intensity of electrical stimulus applied. The size of the affected area was significantly larger with both retinal contact and electrical stimulation compared to withretinal contact alone. We conclude that mechanical pressure alone and mechanical pressure with excessive electrical stimulation causes damageto the retina but that electrical stimulation coupled with mechanical pressure increases the area of the damage.

The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the currently available evidence for the use of external stimulation to modulate neural activity and promote peripheral nerve regeneration. The most common external stimulations are electrical stimulation (ES), optogenetic stimulation (OS), and magnetic stimulation (MS). Understanding the comparative effectiveness of these stimulation methods is pivotal in advancing therapeutic interventions for peripheral nerve injuries. This systematic review focused on these three external stimulation modalities as potential strategies to enhance peripheral nerve repair (PNR). We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework to systematically evaluate and compare the efficiency of ES, OS, and MS in PNR. The review included studies published between 2018 and 2023 using ES, OS, or MS for PNR focused on enhancing recovery of peripheral nerve injuries in rodent models identified through PubMed and Google Scholar. The search strategies and inclusion criteria identified 19 studies (13 ES, 4 OS, and 2 MS) for detailed analysis, focusing on critical parameters such as functional recovery, histological outcomes, and electrophysiological data. Although ES demonstrated a consistent improvement in all the analyses, high-frequency repetitive MS (HFr-MS) emerged as a promising modality. HFr-MS demonstrated accelerated PNR, as histological and electrophysiological evidence indicated. In contrast, OS exhibited superior functional recovery outcomes. Notable limitations include constrained MS and OS data sets and the challenge of comparing relative improvements because of methodological diversity in evaluation techniques. Our findings underscore the potential of HFr-MS and OS in PNR while emphasizing the critical need for standardized testing protocols to facilitate meaningful cross-study comparisons. External stimulations have the potential to improve functional recovery in patients with nerve injury.

The role of electrical stimulation in peripheral nerve regeneration is reviewed, including a brief background and proposed mechanism of action. Studies in animal as well as human models are reviewed. Current recommendations and future directions are addressed.