Spinal Cord Stimulation for Functional Recovery in Humans With Tetraplegia

Technology

Arm/hand function

Online since 26 September 2022, updated 569 days ago

About this trial

This trial is enrolling individuals with chronic cervical (neck area) spinal cord injuries to test the effect of skin-surface electrical stimulation of the cervical spinal cord (Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Stimulation - TESS) in combination with arm and hand training on upper limb function. If included, participants will undergo either: 1) two sessions of TESS, separated by 2-3 days; 2) 20 sessions of TESS for 20 minutes in combination with grasping and reaching training for 60 minutes. To help determine the contribution of TESS to any changes in upper limb function, participants will receive both TESS and sham-TESS in a randomly assigned order. Final testing of arm and hand function will be performed after 6 months.

Included participants

Gender

All

Age

18 - 70 years

Injury level

C1 - C8

Time since injury

≥ 1 year

Healthy volunteers

Yes

C1-C8

Additionally, participants must

Be a veteran eligible for treatment in the Veterans Administration Healthcare System

Be able to produce some gripping motion in at least one hand

Have at least some light touch and pin prick sensation awareness in the C6, C7, and C8 dermatomes of the hand

What’s involved

Type

Technology

Details

- the participant will undergo 1) two sessions of TESS, separated by 2-3 days, or 2) 20 sessions of TESS for 20 minutes in combination with grasping and reaching training for 60 minutes - final testing of arm and hand function will be performed after 6 months

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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