TCES for Upper Limb Function in Cervical SCI

About this trial

This trial is enrolling 8 individuals with chronic cervical spinal cord injuries to test the effect of transcutaneous (skin surface) electrical stimulation (tCES) of the spinal cord on arm and hand function. tCES is a technique for stimulating the spinal cord via surface electrodes to modify spinal cord function. If included, participants will visit the study center 2/week, for 2 weeks to test their movement ability. Then they will receive either: 1) 4 weeks of upper limb task practice (ULTP) followed by 4 weeks of ULTP + tCES; or 2) 4 weeks of ULTP + tCES followed by 4 weeks of ULTP alone. Participants will then complete a post-intervention assessment (two sessions). Final testing of arm/hand function, quality of life, and self management will be performed after 3 months.