A Novel Repetitive Synchronized Associative Stimulation Neuromodulation Approach for Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Summary

The purpose of this research is to explore the effect of magnetic stimulation to activate the brain, electrical spinal cord stimulation to activate spinal cord, and electrical muscle stimulation used to activate upper limb (arms), lower limb (legs) and trunk (stomach) muscles in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and able-bodied subjects (without SCI).

Conditions

• SCI - Spinal Cord Injury

Interventions

OTHER

Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS)

iTBS is a magnetic stimulation applied using a magnetic coil that is placed on top of the participants head to activate the brain. It consists of three very rapid bursts of electrical pulses at a frequency of 50 Hz (per burst) delivered at a rate of 5 per second for 2 seconds (10 bursts). The burst of pulses will be repeated every 10 seconds for a total duration of about 3 minutes. The stimulation will be applied to activate the brain regions that control upper limb, lower limb or trunk muscles. Each subject is expected to participate longitudinally at least 9 times over 2 months. Each visit will take approximately 2-3 hours.

OTHER

Functional electrical stimulation (FES)

FES is applied using electrodes that stick to the skin over the muscles or nerves. It will will be applied using an electrical stimulator to produce movements of the hand, leg or the trunk. The stimulation intensity will be determined by gradually increasing strength from 20-100 hertz (hz) until the right amount of movement is obtained. Each subject is expected to participate longitudinally at least 9 times over 2 months. Each visit will take approximately 2-3 hours.

OTHER

Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS)

TSCS is applied using electrodes that stick to the skin over the spinal cord to activate spinal cord. Mild electrical stimulation will be applied to make sure the nerves on the back are activated (switched on). Different stimulation intensities (strength) will be tested at different frequencies (pulses per second) to determine the best setting for activating the nerves on the back. The stimulus current strength will be adjusted between 0-250 milliamperes (mA) and will remain within the self-reported tolerance limit of each participant. Each subject is expected to participate longitudinally at least 9 times over 2 months. Each visit will take approximately 2-3 hours.

OTHER

Sham Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS)

Subjects will be fitted with a magnetic coil that is placed on top of the head that does not deliver any stimulation to the brain. Each subject is expected to participate longitudinally at least 9 times over 2 months.Each visit will take approximately 2-3 hours.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Miami

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Matija Milosevic, PhD · University of Miami

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

70 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-11-04

Primary Completion

2026-12-30

Completion

2026-12-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations