Noninvasive Spinal Cord Stimulation for Recovery of Autonomic Function After Spinal Cord Injury

Technology
General health
Online since 11 November 2022, updated 771 days ago

About this trial

This trial is enrolling individuals with chronic motor complete spinal cord injuries to test the effect of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TCSCS) on autonomic function ( e.g. blood pressure, bowel and bladder) and quality of life. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation is a technique for stimulating the spinal cord via skin-surface stimulation to modify spinal cord function. If included, participants will undergo baseline assessments, including testing different settings of the spinal cord stimulator at spinal cord segments known to be involved in blood pressure, lower urinary tract and bowel control to see what is most effective. Then, participants will receive 8 weeks of spinal stimulation (3 times/week) at either: 1) mid back (thoracic); or 2) lower back (lumbosacral). Following long-term spinal stimulation, participants will undergo functional assessments during 5 visits over a period of 4 weeks. Final testing will be performed 8 weeks after completion of the spinal stimulation sessions.

Included participants

Gender
All
Age
18 - 60 years
Injury level
C1 - T6
  • Severity (AIS)?
  • AIS-A
    AIS-B
    Time since injury
    ≥ 1 year
  • Injury type
  • Traumatic

    Healthy volunteers
    No
    C1-T6
    Additionally, participants must
    Be a resident of British Columbia, Canada with active provincial medical services plan
    NOT be ventilator dependent
    NOT have history of cardiovascular, respiratory, bladder, or renal disease unrelated to SCI

    What’s involved

    Type

    Technology

    Details

    - Participants will undergo baseline functional assessments during 5 visits, over a period of 4 weeks. - Then, participants will receive 8 weeks of spinal stimulation (3 times/week) at either 1) mid back (thoracic) or 2) lower back (lumbosacral). - Following long-term spinal stimulation, participants will undergo functional assessments during 5 visits over a period of 4 weeks. - Final testing will be performed 8 weeks after completion of the spinal stimulation sessions.

    Potential benefits

    Main benefits

    General health

    Additional benefits

    Bladder health/function

    Sensory function

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

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more

    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting soon
    • Trial start date
    • 1 Jan 2023
    • Organisation
    • University of British Columbia
    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting soon
    • Trial start date
    • 1 Jan 2023
    • Organisation
    • University of British Columbia

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more