Feasibility of Neural Feedback for Lower Limb Amputees

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Amputation

In brief

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of providing sensation of the missing limb to individuals with lower limb loss, including above and below knee amputees. The approach involves delivering small electrical currents directly to remaining nerves via implanted stimulating electrodes. These small electrical currents cause the nerves to generate signals that are then transferred to your brain similar to how information about the foot and lower limb used to be transferred to your brain prior to the amputation. Individuals also have the option to have recording electrodes implanted within muscles of the lower limb(s) in an attempt to develop a motor controller that would enable the user to have intuitive control of a robotic prosthetic leg.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03409133

Run by

Louis Stokes VA Medical Center

People needed

15

Starts

2015-11-05

Expected to finish

2027-09-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-06

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Adults age 18 or greater
• Chronic, medically stable ( > 3 months) trans-tibial or trans-femoral amputation at the time of implant surgery.
• Potential user of trans-tibial or trans-femoral prostheses for standing or walking
• Viable target nerves in the lower extremity as determined by standard-of-care clinical tests of nerve conduction, response to stimulation, sensory evoked potentials and the like
• Good skin integrity and personal hygiene
• Absence of autoimmune deficiencies, seizure disorders or cardiac abnormalities contraindicating stimulation
• Sufficient social support and personal ability to tolerate study procedures and comply with follow-up schedule

You may not qualify if…

• Uncontrolled diabetes to a degree that would preclude surgery
• Significant vascular disease
• Chronic skin ulcerations
• Significant history of poor wound healing
• Significant history of uncontrolled infections
• Active infection
• Significant pain in the residual or phantom limb
• Pregnancy
• Inability to speak English
• Expectation that MRI will be required at any point for the duration of study or while percutaneous leads are in place
• Severe neurological conditions that significantly impair balance or mobility to an extent that independent ambulation is impossible without assistance ( as determined by a healthcare provider)
• Appropriate body habitus (height and weight within acceptable limits as determined by study physician)
• Poor surgical candidate
• Psychiatric or cognitive conditions that could affect cooperation or understanding of instructions and willingness to undergo psychological evaluation, if recommended by study surgeons or investigators.

Where it is running

• Louis Stokes VA Medical Center — Cleveland, Ohio, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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