Assessment of Neural Signals for the Control of Assistive Devices

About this trial

This pilot study is enrolling 3 individuals with chronic cervical spinal cord injury to test the effect of a brain-computer interface (BCI) system on arm and hand function. BCI is a technique using a computer and connected electrodes on the scalp or implanted next to the brain to record brain activity and also to control an external device. Two participants will receive the intervention using scalp electrodes. The third participant receiving the intervention using the implanted electrodes is no longer being recruited. In this study, motor intention signals are decoded to control epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS). SCS is a technique for stimulating the spinal cord with an implanted electrode placed next to the spinal cord to modify spinal cord function. If included, participants will undergo a one-time surgery to implant SCS leads temporarily, and will participate in therapist-guided upper limb task training for up to 2 months. Final testing of arm and hand function will be performed after 2 months.