Spinal Cord Stimulation for Children With Cerebral Palsy

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Cerebral Palsy, Spasticity

In brief

The goal of this clinical trial is to help understand spinal cord excitability in children with cerebral palsy compared to neurologically typical children. The main questions it aims to answer are: * What are the mechanisms of spinal circuit hyperexcitability in CP? * Can transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation reduce spinal circuit hyperexcitability? Participants with cerebral palsy will be asked to complete: * Movement and strength exercises * Mild, non-invasive stimulation on the back and legs that feels like a light tap. * Gentle, non-invasive tests that help us see how the brain and the spinal cord communicate with the muscles

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07516067

Run by

Martin Piazza

People needed

30

Starts

2026-03-30

Expected to finish

2026-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-04-07

Who can join

Age: 5 and older, up to 17. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• A. Patient-Participant Group (Children with Cerebral Palsy)
• Children aged 5 to 17 years with a confirmed diagnosis of cerebral palsy.
• Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Levels I to IV, able to walk with or without assistance (walker or cane). This classification will have been completed by Dr. Martin Piazza and his Movement Disorders clinic team.
• Stable medical condition without recent surgeries or interventions that could affect motor function.
• Must be able to communicate basic needs and follow simple instructions.
• Provision of informed consent by a parent or legal guardian, with assent from the child as appropriate.
• B. Control Group (Children without Neurological Diagnoses)
• Children aged 5 to 17 years with no history of neurological diagnoses.
• Must be fully ambulatory without assistance.
• Must be able to communicate basic needs and follow simple instructions.
• Provision of informed consent by a parent or legal guardian, with assent from the child as appropriate.

You may not qualify if…

• Presence of implanted medical devices (e.g., baclofen pumps, deep brain stimulators) that may interfere with TSCS.
• Severe scoliosis or spinal deformities that could affect the delivery of tSCS.
• Uncontrolled epilepsy or a history of frequent seizures.
• Severe cognitive impairments limiting the ability to comply with study procedures.
• Skin conditions or open wounds at the site of stimulation.
• Participation in other interventional studies that may confound results.
• Any serious disease or disorder (e.g. cancer, severe cardiac or respiratory disease, etc.) that could affect ability to participate in this study.

Where it is running

• UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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