Activating Spinal Circuits to Improve Walking, Balance, Strength, and Reduce Spasticity

Description

For many people with spinal cord injury (SCI), the goal of walking is a high priority. There are many approaches available to restore walking function after SCI; however, these approaches often involve extensive rehabilitation training and access to facilities, qualified staff, and advanced technology that make practicing walking at home difficult. For this reason, developing training approaches that could be easily performed in the home would be of great value. In addition, non-invasive spinal stimulation has the potential to increase the effectiveness of communication between the brain and spinal cord. Combining motor skill training (MST) with transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) may further enhance the restoration of function in persons with SCI. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine if moderate-intensity, MST can improve walking-related outcomes among persons with SCI and to determine if the addition of non-invasive TSS will result in greater improvements in function compared to training alone.

Conditions

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury, Spasticity, Muscle

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

For many people with spinal cord injury (SCI), the goal of walking is a high priority. There are many approaches available to restore walking function after SCI; however, these approaches often involve extensive rehabilitation training and access to facilities, qualified staff, and advanced technology that make practicing walking at home difficult. For this reason, developing training approaches that could be easily performed in the home would be of great value. In addition, non-invasive spinal stimulation has the potential to increase the effectiveness of communication between the brain and spinal cord. Combining motor skill training (MST) with transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) may further enhance the restoration of function in persons with SCI. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine if moderate-intensity, MST can improve walking-related outcomes among persons with SCI and to determine if the addition of non-invasive TSS will result in greater improvements in function compared to training alone.

SCIMS Site Specific Project: Activating Spinal Circuits to Improve Walking, Balance, Strength, and Reduce Spasticity

Activating Spinal Circuits to Improve Walking, Balance, Strength, and Reduce Spasticity

Condition
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Atlanta

Shepherd Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30309

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

  • * Be 18-70 years of age
  • * Have a spinal cord injury (neurological level C3-T12) that occurred ≥3 months (sub-acute to chronic) prior to enrollment
  • * Have ISNCSCI severity classification C or D
  • * Able to stand for at least 5 minutes (with or without the aid of an assistive device)
  • * Able to move each leg independently for at least 3 steps (with or without the aid of an assistive device)
  • * Able to rise from sit to stand with moderate assistance from one person
  • * Use of prescription medication(s) for control of spasticity if the dosage has not changed in the last 2 weeks and you notify the study staff if your medication(s) change during study participation
  • * Ability and willingness to consent and authorize use of personal health information
  • * Ability to follow multiple instructions and communicate pain or discomfort
  • * Progressive spinal lesions including degenerative, or progressive vascular disorders of the spine and/or spinal cord
  • * Injuries below the neurological spinal level of T12
  • * Pregnant, or if you have reason to believe you are or may become pregnant due to unknown risks to the fetus associated with TSS
  • * History of cardiovascular irregularities
  • * Presence of orthopedic conditions that would adversely affect participation in exercise
  • * Implanted stimulators of any type will be excluded due to unknown potential of electrical stimulation effects (e.g., baclofen pump, epidural spinal stimulator, implanted cardiac defibrillator, diaphragmatic pacemaker)
  • * Any cuts or sensitivity of the skin near the level of stimulation
  • * Active cancer or history of cancer
  • * Inability and unwillingness to consent and authorize use of personal health information

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Shepherd Center, Atlanta GA,

Edelle C Field-Fote, PT, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Shepherd Center, Atlanta GA

Study Record Dates

2026-03