Synergistic Effect of Non-invasive Brain and Spinal Cord Stimulation

About this trial

This trial is enrolling 45 participants with cervical spinal cord injury (or stroke affecting upper-limb function) to test the combination of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous spinal stimulation (tSS) on arm and hand function. tDCS is a non-invasive electrical stimulation of the brain delivered by surface electrodes attached to the scalp. tSS is a non-invasive technique that uses surface electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation aimed at modifying spinal cord function. If included, participants will complete multiple study visits during which they will receive four procedures in random order: tDCS alone, tSS alone, combined tDCS+tSS, and sham stimulation, all administered during robotic upper-limb training tasks. Final testing of arm and hand function will be performed after 25 days.