Spinal Cord Stimulation for Autonomic Recovery in Inpatient Rehabilitation After Acute SCI

Technology

General health

Online since 19 March 2025, updated today

About this trial

This trial is enrolling 26 participants with acute spinal cord injury to test the safety and efficacy of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS). tSCS is a technique for stimulating the spinal cord via surface electrodes to modify spinal cord function. If included, participants will receive either tSCS or sham stimulation during the first 8 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation. Those willing and able will complete additional tSCS sessions for up to 18 weeks. Final testing of safety and efficacy, including blood pressure changes and autonomic function, will be performed after 6 months.

Included participants

Gender

All

Age

21 - 65 years

Injury level

C1 - T6

Severity (AIS)?

AIS-A

AIS-B

AIS-C

AIS-D

Time since injury

≤ 4 months

Healthy volunteers

C1-T6

Additionally, participants must

NOT have pacemakers, stimulators, medication pumps in the trunk, deep brain stimulators, metallic devices in the head such as aneurysm clips/coils and stents, vagus nerve stimulators.

NOT have a history of seizures.

What’s involved

Type

Technology

Details

- Participants will receive either transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) or sham stimulation during the first 8 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation. - Those willing and able will complete additional tSCS sessions for up to 18 weeks. - tSCS is a technique for stimulating the spinal cord via surface stimulation to modify spinal cord function. - Final testing of safety and efficacy will be performed after 6 months.

Potential benefits

Main benefits

General health

Additional benefits

Arm/hand function

Bladder health/function

Bowel health

Mental health and psychosocial factors

Pain

Sensory function

Standing/walking/mobility

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

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