Upper Limb Rehabilitation Using Non-invasive Spinal Cord Stimulation
About this trial
This trial is enrolling 40 participants with acute cervical spinal cord injury to test the effect of activity-based therapy (ABT) combined with transcutaneous spinal stimulation (tSS) on arm and hand function. ABT includes repetitive, intensive strength training and functional exercises. tSS is a non-invasive technique that uses surface electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation aimed at modifying spinal cord function. If included, participants will be randomly selected to receive activity-based upper-limb training with either active tSS or with sham stimulation, and will complete 20 therapist-guided training sessions over 6–8 weeks. Final testing of arm and hand function will be performed after 12 weeks.
Included participants
What’s involved
Type
Details
- Participants will be randomly allocated to receive activity-based upper-limb training with either active transcutaneous spinal stimulation (tSS) or with sham stimulation and will complete 20 therapist-guided training sessions over 6–8 weeks. Each session will last around 45 minutes. - tSS is a non-invasive technique that uses surface electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation aimed at modifying spinal cord function. - Final testing of arm and hand function will be performed after 12 weeks.
Potential benefits
Main benefits
Arm/hand function
Additional benefits
General health
Sensory function
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 soon
- Trial start date
- 1 Apr 2026
- Organisation
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal
- Trial recruitment status
- Recruiting soon
- Trial start date
- 1 Apr 2026
- Organisation
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal
About this trial
Included participants
What’s involved
Potential benefits
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