Home-Based Digital Rehabilitation Program Optimized With Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation for Upper Limb Functional Enhancement in Tetraplegia (HOPE): A Safety, Efficacy, and Feasibility Study

NCT07438353 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 9

Last updated 2026-02-27

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Individuals with chronic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) and tetraplegia commonly experience persistent impairment in upper limb function, leading to reduced independence and quality of life. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that has demonstrated potential to improve upper limb strength and function when combined with rehabilitation. However, access to tSCS is limited in Singapore due to cost, regulatory barriers, and the need for frequent outpatient therapy.

This study evaluates the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of a home-based digital rehabilitation program incorporating tSCS delivered using a commercially available neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) device. Using a prospective, open-label single-case experimental design with multiple baselines across participants, individuals with chronic, non-progressive cervical SCI will receive daily home-based tSCS combined with an mobile application-guided upper limb exercise program. Upper limb function, quality of life, feasibility, and safety outcomes will be assessed longitudinally over a 22-week study period.

Conditions

  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia

Interventions

DEVICE

Home-based digital rehabilitation programme with tSCS

Home-based digital rehabilitation programme with tSCS introduced at staggered time points following varying duration of baseline usual care

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Singapore General Hospital

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
21 Years
Max Age
75 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-04-30
Primary Completion
2026-12-31
Completion
2027-12-31

Countries

  • Singapore

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 NCT07438353 on ClinicalTrials.gov