Transspinal-Transcortical Paired Stimulation for Neuroplasticity and Recovery After SCI

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Spinal Cord Injuries, Paraplegia, Spinal, Tetraplegia/Tetraparesis

In brief

People with spinal cord injury (SCI) have motor dysfunction that results in substantial social, personal, and economic costs. Uncontrolled muscle spasticity and motor dysfunction result in disabilities that significantly reduce quality of life. Several rehabilitation interventions are utilized to treat muscle spasticity and motor dysfunction after SCI in humans. However, because most interventions rely on sensory afferent feedback that is interpreted by malfunctioned neuronal networks, rehabilitation efforts are greatly compromised. On the other hand, changes in the function of nerve cells connecting the brain and spinal cord have been reported following repetitive electromagnetic stimulation delivered over the head and legs or arms at specific time intervals. In addition, evidence suggests that electrical signals delivered to the spinal cord can regenerate spinal motor neurons in injured animals. A fundamental knowledge gap still exists on neuroplasticity and recovery of leg motor function in people with SCI after repetitive transspinal cord and transcortical stimulation. In this project, it is proposed that repetitive pairing of transspinal cord stimulation with transcortical stimulation strengthens the connections between the brain and spinal cord, decreases ankle spasticity, and improves leg movement. People with motor incomplete SCI will receive transspinal - transcortical paired associative stimulation at rest and during assisted stepping. The effects of this novel neuromodulation paradigm will be established via clinical tests and noninvasive neurophysiological methods that assess the pathways connecting the brain with the spinal cord.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT04624607

Run by

College of Staten Island, the City University of New York

People needed

14

Starts

2018-01-05

Expected to finish

2020-03-03

Last updated by the study team

2020-11-13

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 70. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Clinical diagnosis of motor incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI).
• SCI is above thoracic 12 vertebra.
• Absent permanent ankle joint contractures.
• SCI occurred 6 months before enrollment to the study.

You may not qualify if…

• Supraspinal lesions
• Neuropathies of the peripheral nervous system
• Degenerative neurological disorders
• Presence of pressure sores
• Urinary tract infection
• Neoplastic or vascular disorders of the spine or spinal cord
• Pregnant women or women who suspect they may be or may become pregnant
• People with cochlear implants, pacemaker, and implanted simulators
• People with history of seizures
• People with implanted Baclofen pump

Where it is running

• Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, City University of New York — Staten Island, New York, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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