Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation: Safety and Feasibility for Upper Limb Function in Children With Spinal Cord Injury

Description

Children who suffer a spinal cord injury in the neck region have difficulty using their hands due to paralysis and/or weakness of their arms and hand muscles. The purpose of this project is to test the safety, comfort, and practicality of a new therapy that stimulates the spinal cord to facilitate activation of arm and hand muscles while practicing grasping, pinching, and reaching movements. The long-term goal is to provide better therapies that will improve the ability of children with SCI to more successfully play and accomplish everyday tasks using their arms and hands, similar to before their injury.

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Children who suffer a spinal cord injury in the neck region have difficulty using their hands due to paralysis and/or weakness of their arms and hand muscles. The purpose of this project is to test the safety, comfort, and practicality of a new therapy that stimulates the spinal cord to facilitate activation of arm and hand muscles while practicing grasping, pinching, and reaching movements. The long-term goal is to provide better therapies that will improve the ability of children with SCI to more successfully play and accomplish everyday tasks using their arms and hands, similar to before their injury.

Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation Promoting Recovery of Hand and Arm Function After Pediatric-onset Spinal Cord Injury

Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation: Safety and Feasibility for Upper Limb Function in Children With Spinal Cord Injury

Condition
Spinal Cord Injuries
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Louisville

Department of Neurosurgery, Louisville, Kentucky, United States, 40202

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * history of chronic, acquired SCI, (\>1 year since injury);
  • * SCI involves cervical and/or high thoracic (T1) levels
  • * moderate to severe upper extremity deficit as assessed by the Pediatric Neuromuscular Recovery Upper Extremity Scale (scores less than 4A out of a 12 point range from 1A-4C on upper extremity tasks, e.g. including inability to fully reach overhead, grasp, or pinch without compensation)
  • * discharged from in-patient rehabilitation
  • * botox use within past 3 months;
  • * current baclofen use
  • * unhealed upper extremity fracture
  • * any other medical complication limiting participation in the assessments and/or activity- based upper extremity training;
  • * congenital SCI
  • * total ventilator dependence

Ages Eligible for Study

4 Years to 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Louisville,

Andrea L Behrman, PT, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Louisville

Study Record Dates

2026-02