Open-Source Tools for Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Mouse Models: A Methodological Validation Study

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is integral to studying muscle function in healthy and dystrophic mice. Certain commercial electrodes and laboratory stimulators used for NMES in mice are no longer in production. We developed and/or tested low-cost, open-source alternatives to discontinued commercial standards. We performed two studies—a comparison of electrodes and a comparison of stimulators. In the electrode study, in vivo NMES was applied to the left hindlimb ankle dorsiflexors in healthy C57BL/6J and dysferlin-null BLAJ mice using three electrode types: a previously available commercial electrode, a custom 3D-Printed electrode, and a custom Pen electrode assembled from off-the-shelf components. Twitch and tetanic torque were measured and compared using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. Twitch torque differed by electrode type (p = 0.031), with lower values observed for the Pen electrode compared with the 3D-Printed electrode (e.g., 573 ± 72 vs. 666 ± 70 mN.mm in C57BL/6J mice), whereas tetanic torque did not differ significantly between electrode types (p = 0.060). In the stimulator study, twitch and tetanic contractions were elicited using the open-source StimJim stimulator and compared with contractions elicited by the discontinued Grass S48 stimulator. Twitch torque was lower with the StimJim (588 ± 107 mN.mm) compared with the Grass S48 (698 ± 116 mN.mm; p < 0.001), whereas tetanic torque values were not statistically different (p = 0.055). These findings indicate that open-source electrodes and stimulators can produce similar maximal tetanic torque under the tested conditions, although differences in twitch torque and stimulation parameters should be considered. These results reflect a methodological validation of accessible tools rather than a formal equivalence analysis.