Enhancing Corticospinal Excitability to Improve Functional Recovery

Summary

Research indicates that increasing brain excitability might help improve hand function in people with spinal cord injury. Brain stimulation that uses electrodes placed on the surface of the scalp (also called "non-invasive brain stimulation") increases brain excitability and has the potential to make it easier for the brain and nervous system to respond to arm and hand training. The purpose of this study is to compare four different types of stimulation for increasing brain excitability to determine which types are best for helping people with tetraplegia improve their ability to use their arms and hands. To fully evaluate the value of brain stimulation on arm and hand function, the investigators will also evaluate the effect of sham (fake) stimulation. Each participant will receive a single session of each of the five types of stimulation being tested.

Conditions

• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Tetraplegia

Interventions

OTHER

bihemispheric transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS)

Two sets of sponge electrodes (one set placed on each side of the head) will be placed on the participant's head. The transcranial electrical stimulator will apply unidirectional, positive pulses of current separated by brief interpulse intervals to the scalp via the sponges for 30 minutes.

OTHER

unihemispheric transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS)

One set of sponge electrodes will be placed on the participant's head. The transcranial electrical stimulator will apply unidirectional, positive pulses of current separated by brief interpulse intervals to the scalp via the sponges for 30 minutes.

OTHER

bihemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

Two sets of sponge electrodes (one set placed on each side of the head) will be placed on the participant's head. The transcranial electrical stimulator will apply continuous, direct current to the scalp via the sponges for 30 minutes.

OTHER

unihemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

One set of sponge electrodes will be placed on the participant's head. The transcranial electrical stimulator will apply continuous, direct current to the scalp via the sponges for 30 minutes.

OTHER

sham-control

Sponge electrodes will be placed on the participant's head. The transcranial electrical stimulator will apply stimulation to the scalp via the sponges for 1-2 minutes. The stimulator will then be turned off.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation

  collaborator OTHER

• Shepherd Center, Atlanta GA

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-05-03

Primary Completion

2019-09-27

Completion

2019-09-27

Countries

• United States

Study Locations