Lui et al. 2006a
UK
Downs & Black score=15
Case Series
N=6

Population: SCI: SARS study: Age = 35-62 yrs; Gender: males = 5, females = 1; Level of injury: T3-T1; Severity of injury: complete = 6; Time since injury = 9-24 yrs.
Treatment: SARS study - anterior root stimulator (SARS) implant applied bilateral electrical stimulation to S2 nerve root for 10 seconds (frequency=20pps; pulse width range 8-800secs; amplitude of “1”).
Outcome Measures: IHB; IOX before and during electrical stimulation.

SARS study

1. IHB significantly increased during stimulation (before stimulation, M=0.8; during stimulation, M=0.9; p=0.005).
2. IOX also increased (before stimulation, M=1.1; during stimulation, M=3.0; p=0.02).

Bogie & Triolo 2003
USA
Downs & Black score=13
Pre-post
N=8

Population: SCI: Age = 27-47 yrs; Gender: males = 7, females = 1; Height = 1.65 to 1.88 meters; Weight = 49.89-113.40 kg; Level of injury: C5/6 to T9; Severity of injury: AIS: A = 6, B = 2.
Treatment: Electrical stimulation delivered via an implanted neuroprosthesis, which included gluteal electrodes, 8 weeks of conditioning exercises followed.
Outcome Measures: Transcutaneous Oxygen Levels (PTCO2).

1. Baseline mean unloaded tissue oxygen levels increased by 1-36% at post exercise assessment for 5/8 subjects.
2. Differences between baseline and post exercise tissue oxygen levels did not show any statistical significance.

Mawson et al. 1993
USA
Downs & Black score=10
Case Series
N=29

Population: SCI: Age = 18-57 yrs; Site of ulcer: sacral = 7, heel = 2, other = 1; Ulcer grade: 1-4.
Treatment: Study was carried out on SCI patients lying on egg crate mattresses. Sensor was applied to the skin at approximately the second sacral segment along the midline using a two-sided airtight seal. 2 electrodes and conductive sponges, measuring 4 cm in diameter were used for administering electrical stimulation.
Outcome Measures: PTCO2.

1. Experiment 1: Subsequent experiments were performed using 75 volts as no additional effect on transcutaneous oxygen tension (PTCO2) was seen when 100 volts was used.
2. Experiment 2: Compared to final baseline PTCO2 reading (mean ± SD) of 49±21mmHg, the level reached at the 30min period of high voltage pulsed galvanic stimulation (HVPGS) was 66±18 mmHg -- 35% higher (p<0.00001).
3. The level fell slightly following the first 15 minutes post stimulation period (p<0.00001).
4. Experiment 3: No change in PTCO2 with simulated HVPGS.
5. Experiment 4: No significant differences were observed (p=0.66 in all comparisons) when experiment 2 and 4 results were compared.