Active tDCS Versus Sham tDCS for Upper Limb Recovery in Incomplete Tetraplegic Patients

Technology
Arm/hand function
Online since 8 November 2022, updated 774 days ago

About this trial

This trial is enrolling individuals with subacute (3 - 6 months since injury) cervical incomplete spinal cord injuries to test the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on upper limb function. tDCS is a non-invasive electrical stimulation of the brain delivered by surface electrodes attached to the scalp. The researchers suggest arm and hand recovery best occurs in the first months after SCI and that this type of neuromodulation may facilitate it. If included, participants will undergo 20 minutes of standard upper limb rehabilitation with either: 1) two daily active tDCS sessions; or 2) two daily sham tDCS sessions, 5 days a week, for two weeks. After the stimulation period, standard upper limb rehabilitation will be continued for another 20 minutes. This standard rehabilitation physiotherapy of the upper limbs will occur at least in the 4 weeks before and in the 4 weeks after the tDCS treatment period. Final testing will be performed after 10 weeks.

Included participants

Gender
All
Age
18 - 74 years
Injury level
C3 - C7
  • Severity (AIS)?
  • AIS-B
    AIS-C
    AIS-D
    Time since injury
    3 months - 6 months
  • Injury type
  • Traumatic

    Healthy volunteers
    No
    C3-C7
    Additionally, participants must
    NOT having any implanted devices (e.g. pacemakers, intrathecal infusers, neurostimulators, hearing aids
    NOT having any history of brain lesions
    NOT having a history of epilepsy

    What’s involved

    Type

    Technology

    Details

    - Participants will undergo 20 minutes of standard upper limb rehabilitation with either 1) two daily active tDCS or 2) sham tDCS sessions for 5 days a week, for 2 weeks. - After the stimulation period, standard upper lim rehabilitation will be continued for another 20 minutes. -Final testing will be after 10 weeks.

    Potential benefits

    Main benefits

    Arm/hand function

    Additional benefits

    Pain

    Sensory function

    Spasticity

    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
    • Trial start date
    • 24 May 2023
    • Organisation
    • Montecatone Rehabilitation Institute S.p.A.
    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting
    • Trial start date
    • 24 May 2023
    • Organisation
    • Montecatone Rehabilitation Institute S.p.A.

    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