TsDCS and Physical Therapy After Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Technology
Arm/hand function
Online since 16 October 2025, updated 55 days ago

About this trial

This trial is enrolling 20 participants with chronic spinal cord injury to test the effect of trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) combined with physical therapy on muscle function. tsDCS is a non-invasive technique that uses surface electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation aimed at modifying spinal cord function. If included, participants will receive 10 sessions of either active or sham tsDCS paired with physical therapy, delivered 5 times per week for a month. Final testing of muscle function will be performed after 1 month.

Included participants

Gender
All
Age
18 - 55 years
Injury level
C1 - S5
  • Severity (AIS)?
  • Time since injury
    ≥ 1 year
    Healthy volunteers
    No
    C1-S5

    What’s involved

    Type

    Technology

    Details

    - Participants will receive 10 sessions of either active or sham trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) paired with physical therapy, delivered 5 times per week over 2 weeks. - tsDCS is a non-invasive technique that uses surface electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation aimed at modifying spinal cord function. - Final testing of muscle function will be performed after 1 month.

    Potential benefits

    Main benefits

    Arm/hand function

    Additional benefits

    Bladder health/function

    Bowel health

    General health

    Spasticity

    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
    • By invitation
    • Trial start date
    • 3 Mar 2025
    • Organisation
    • Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
    • Trial recruitment status
    • By invitation
    • Trial start date
    • 3 Mar 2025
    • Organisation
    • Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

    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