Physiological Changes Induced Through MEP Conditioning in People With SCI

About this trial

This is a clinical trial enrolling individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries to assess the effects of magnetic brain stimulation on walking function. SCI damages important movement controls from the brain to the spinal cord to the target muscles. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique which provides a magnetic field by way of a coil held over the head to activate nerves, thus strengthening the brain-spinal cord-muscle pathways. This study will compare the effect of TMS alone to TMS plus standard physical therapy training. If selected for the trial, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two study groups: 1) performing movement tasks (such as standing, sitting and walking) and receiving TMS; or 2) receiving TMS only. Motor connections and activity of brain-spinal cord-muscle pathways will be assessed with electrodes placed on the skin over leg muscles to monitor muscle activity. Researchers will also measure changes in walking function. There will be three training sessions per week for four months, followed by two to three sessions over another three months.