Enhancing Corticospinal Excitability to Improve Functional Recovery

Technology

Arm/hand function

Online since 30 September 2021, updated 930 days ago

About this trial

This trial is enrolling individuals with cervical (neck area) spinal cord injuries to test different types of non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the scalp. Researchers theorize that increasing brain activity using tDCS stimulation might improve brain response (excitability) and thus improve hand function. Four different stimulation approaches and one sham (inactive) control stimulation will be used to find the optimal stimulation method. Participants will do 5 30-minute sessions over 5 weeks with each type of stimulation. Participants will also complete a questionnaire to evaluate their perceptions of the stimulation effects. Before and after each stimulation session, changes in muscle control and strength in the hands will be measured, as well as any changes in physiological measures of brain activity or excitability.

Included participants

Gender

All

Age

18 - 65 years

Injury level

C1 - C8

Severity (AIS)?

AIS-A

AIS-B

AIS-C

AIS-D

Time since injury

6 months - 65 years

Injury type

Traumatic

Non-traumatic

Healthy volunteers

C1-C8

Additionally, participants must

have a spinal cord injury for at least 6 months.

have a neurological level of injury between C1 and C8.

have one of the following ASIA impairment scale (AIS):

What’s involved

Type

Technology

Details

Five 30-minute non-invasive brain stimulation sessions over 5 weeks.

Potential benefits

Main benefits

Arm/hand function

Additional benefits

General health

Good to know: Potential benefits are defined as outcomes that are being measured during and/or after the trial.

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