Upper Limb Spinal Cord Stimulation for Rehabilitation Enhancement

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Spinal Cord Injuries

In brief

In the United Kingdom, there are more than 1000 new cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) each year, with around half of these injuries affecting the cervical spine. People who have reduced function and control affecting their upper limbs may have difficulty carrying out activities of daily living (ADLs), significantly affecting their independence. Recovering even partial upper limb function is a top priority among tetraplegics. Regaining voluntary function in the upper limb can have a huge impact on quality of life. Using TSCS in the upper limb for acute SCI can benefit patients early in their rehabilitation, and may reduce the number of patients with problematic spasticity at discharge. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) may provide a low-cost method of improving function and spasticity in this cohort. The aim of this feasibility study is to assess and compare the impact of adding TSCS to the standard rehabilitation of inpatients with acute SCI, compared to a sham (placebo) TSCS intervention added to standard rehabilitation, in an effort to enhance upper limb control and function.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05991804

Run by

University College, London

People needed

18

Starts

2023-06-28

Expected to finish

2028-04-16

Last updated by the study team

2025-12-10

Who can join

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

You may qualify if…

• Over the age of 18
• Recent spinal cord injury (inpatient at the RNOH)
• Spinal cord injury level C1-C8
• AIS A-D
• Willing and able to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if…

• Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Those who have a cardiac pacemaker
• Active device at stimulating electrode site
• Any other musculoskeletal diagnosis affecting the upper limbs
• Spinal malignancy
• Spinal cord injury due to cancerous growth
• Auto-immune disorder
• Ongoing infection
• Uncontrolled autonomic dysreflexia
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Neurological degenerative diseases
• Peripheral nerve damage affecting the upper limbs
• Taking part in a conflicting research study
• People who are unable to tolerate TSCS during their first session

Where it is running

• Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital — London, United Kingdom (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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