Paired Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nerve Stimulation to Recover Hand Function in SCI

Rehabilitation
Arm/hand function
Online since 17 March 2025, updated 29 days ago

About this trial

This trial is enrolling 14 participants with chronic cervical spinal cord injury to test the effect of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) on arm and hand function. tSCS is a non-invasive technique for stimulating the spinal cord via electrodes on the skin, with the aim of modifying spinal cord function. PNS involves non-invasive electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves in the arms and hands via electrodes on the skin in order to influence muscle activation. If included, participants will be randomly assigned to complete 20 sessions of physical therapy, combined with either tSCS alone or tSCS paired with PNS. Final testing of arm and hand function will be performed after 4 weeks.

Included participants

Gender
All
Age
≥ 18 years
Injury level
C1 - T1
  • Severity (AIS)?
  • Time since injury
    ≥ 6 months
    Healthy volunteers
    Yes
    C1-T1
    Additionally, participants must
    NOT have metal implant in the head
    NOT have a cardiac pacemaker
    NOT have an implanted brain stimulator

    What’s involved

    Type

    Rehabilitation

    Details

    - Participants will be randomly assigned to complete 20 sessions of physical therapy, combined with either transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) alone or tSCS paired with peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). - tSCS is a technique for stimulating the spinal cord via surface stimulation to modify spinal cord function. - PNS involves electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves in the arms and hands via surface stimulation to influence muscle activation. - Final testing of arm and hand function will be performed after 4 weeks.

    Potential benefits

    Main benefits

    Arm/hand function

    Additional benefits

    General 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.

    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
    • 2 Jan 2025
    • Organisation
    • Kessler Foundation
    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting soon
    • Trial start date
    • 2 Jan 2025
    • Organisation
    • Kessler Foundation

    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