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.

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