PAS in Subacute SCI

About this trial

This is a clinical trial to investigate the effect of magnetic stimulation combined with electrical stimulation on upper extremity function in individuals with recent cervical (neck area) spinal cord injuries. The magnetic stimulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation; TMS), is a non-invasive technique which uses a magnetic field to stimulate the brain. A magnetic coil held near the head increases activity of nerves of the brain and spinal cord when it is turned on. The electrical stimulation (peripheral nerve stimulation; PNS) uses an electric current to activate nerves in the arms and hands. Using TMS and PNS together is called paired associative stimulation (PAS). PAS has been shown to improve voluntary muscle function in the arms and hands. The focus of this study is the application of PAS in individuals with SCI in the subacute time frame (1-4 months after injury). If selected for the trial, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two study groups, receiving either the PAS stimulation paradigm, or sham (inactive) PNS.