Spine and Brain Stimulation for Movement Recovery After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

About this trial

This pilot study is enrolling 20 participants with chronic, incomplete cervical spinal cord injury to test the effect on arm and hand function of cervical epidural spinal stimulation (eSS), alone and paired with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or structured rehabilitation. eSS is an invasive technique that uses implanted electrodes placed next to the spinal cord to deliver electrical stimulation aimed at modifying spinal cord function. TMS is a non-invasive technique which uses a magnetic field to stimulate the brain. A coil (held over the head) delivers the magnetic stimulation that activates the central nervous system. If included, participants will undergo temporary implantation of electrodes near the cervical spine, followed by a 29-day study involving eSS alone and combined with TMS or structured rehabilitation. Final testing of arm and hand function will be performed after 30 weeks.