Combining Spinal Cord Transcutaneous Stimulation and Activity-based Training in Inpatient Rehabilitation to Facilitate Upper Limb Function of Individuals with Acute to Subacute Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Technology
Arm/hand function
Online since 4 September 2025, updated 98 days ago

About this trial

This trial is enrolling 30 individuals with acute and subacute cervical spinal cord injury (< 8 weeks) to test the effect of transcutaneous spinal stimulation (tSS) combined with activity-based training (ABT) on arm, hand and trunk function. tSS is a non-invasive technique that uses surface electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation aimed at modifying spinal cord function. ABT involves task-specific training for upper extremity function, e.g. pinch and grasp. If included, participants will be randomly assigned to receive either: 1) tSS with ABT; 2) sham tSS with ABT; or 3) ABT only. Final testing of safety and feasibility will be performed after 3 months.

Included participants

Gender
All
Age
18 - 75 years
Injury level
C5 - C7
  • Severity (AIS)?
  • Time since injury
    ≤ 8 weeks
  • Injury type
  • Traumatic

    Healthy volunteers
    No
    C5-C7
    Additionally, participants must
    NOT have implants such as a pacemaker, metal plate in the skull, and metal inside the skull

    What’s involved

    Type

    Technology

    Details

    - Participants will be randomly assigned to receive 1) transcutaneous spinal stimulation (tSS) with activity-based training (ABT), 2) sham tSS with ABT, or 3) ABT only. - tSS is a non-invasive technique that uses surface electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation aimed at modifying spinal cord function. - Participants will receive a total of 10 sessions over 2 weeks, with each session lasting 30 minutes. - Final testing of safety and feasibility will be performed after 3 months.

    Potential benefits

    Main benefits

    Arm/hand function

    Additional benefits

    General health

    Pain

    Skin health

    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
    • Trial start date
    • 8 Apr 2024
    • Organisation
    • Kessler Foundation
    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting
    • Trial start date
    • 8 Apr 2024
    • 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