Use of Neural Functional Electrical Stimulation for the Recovery of Grasping Movements for Patient With Quadriplegia.

About this trial

This trial is recruiting individuals with chronic cervical (neck area) spinal cord injuries to test the effect of electrical stimulation to recover grasping movements. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a technique that applies electricity to nerves, which causes contraction of weakened or paralyzed muscles. This study is investigating the use of specially designed cuff electrodes, which are surgically placed around specific nerves (median or radial nerves) in the upper extremities. Electrical stimulation of these nerves is intended to improve elbow straightening and extension, wrist and finger extension, and the ability to flex fingers and thumb. If chosen for the trial, participants must have already been scheduled to undergo rehabilitative upper extremity surgery to improve elbow straightening. The additional procedure of cuff electrode placement will be performed during the elbow surgery.