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Upper Limb Spinal Cord Stimulation for Rehabilitation Enhancement

NCT05991804 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 18

Last updated 2025-12-10

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

In the United Kingdom, there are more than 1000 new cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) each year, with around half of these injuries affecting the cervical spine. People who have reduced function and control affecting their upper limbs may have difficulty carrying out activities of daily living (ADLs), significantly affecting their independence. Recovering even partial upper limb function is a top priority among tetraplegics.

Regaining voluntary function in the upper limb can have a huge impact on quality of life. Using TSCS in the upper limb for acute SCI can benefit patients early in their rehabilitation, and may reduce the number of patients with problematic spasticity at discharge. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) may provide a low-cost method of improving function and spasticity in this cohort.

The aim of this feasibility study is to assess and compare the impact of adding TSCS to the standard rehabilitation of inpatients with acute SCI, compared to a sham (placebo) TSCS intervention added to standard rehabilitation, in an effort to enhance upper limb control and function.

Conditions

  • Spinal Cord Injuries

Interventions

OTHER

Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation added to inpatient rehabilitation

Non-invasive electrical stimulation delivered over the spine, targetting movement of the upper limbs

OTHER

Sham transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (placebo) added to inpatient rehabilitation

Sham transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (placebo) added to Standard inpatient rehabilitation given at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust

    collaborator OTHER

  • University College, London

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Lynsey Duffell, PhD · University College, London

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2023-06-28
Primary Completion
2028-04-16
Completion
2028-04-16

Countries

  • United Kingdom

Study Locations

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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 NCT05991804 on ClinicalTrials.gov