Impact of Direct Current Electrical Stimulation on Spasticity Levels and Functional Muscle Use in MS

NCT04942938 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 7

Last updated 2025-07-04

Study results available
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Summary

In an individual with MS the central nervous system (CNS) is over-protective and causes the threshold for stretch reflex and muscle tightness to be set lower than normal. This inhibits normal movement and causes abnormalities in posture, stiffness and at times joint contractures. In this pilot study we hope to assess the ability for the direct current of Neubie, which creates mechanoreceptor inputs and lengthening at the sarcomere level of muscle and joints in the spine and lower extremity, to alter the proprioceptive peripheral nervous system (PNS) at muscle spindle and GTO level with a change in CNS over-guarding during the treatment and after the treatment. If the investigators are able to create normalized stretch and muscle tension at the PNS level, it may be possible to create temporary or sustained CNS level changes. This would allow the amount of stretch and tension at the PNS level to be normalized and possibly reduce spasticity. If this theory is accurate, the investigators may be able to increase access to normalized movement, strength and functional ability in individuals with neuro-compromise.

Conditions

Interventions

DEVICE

Neubie

The Neubie is a direct current neuromuscular electrical stimulation device. This system uses an exponential wave pattern to mimic the natural pattern neurologically to lengthen fibers of the sarcomere and engage force velocity of muscle with minimized protective co-contraction of nearby muscle groups. The golgi tendon and muscle spindles code for joint position and muscle/tendon stretch with 66% of fibers being intrafusal. Impacting these structures has direct impact on reticulospinal tract fibers and proprioceptive central fibers modulation of levels of spasticity. The Neubie direct current is designed to improve positioning of these stretch receptors.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • NeuFit - Neurological Fitness and Education

    collaborator INDUSTRY
  • CommonSpirit Health

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Courtney Ellerbusch, DPT · CommonSpirit Health

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2021-06-20
Primary Completion
2022-07-05
Completion
2022-07-05
FDA Device
Yes

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT04942938 on ClinicalTrials.gov