Studying Non-Invasive Spinal Cord Stimulation to Improve Walking and Movement in Adults with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of combining non-invasive spinal cord stimulation with gait rehabilitation to reduce spasticity and improve lower limb strength and walking ability in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury SCI. The study also aims to understand the underlying physiological changes after incomplete SCI and how these may be influenced by non-invasive stimulation techniques. Participants will undergo gait training with and without transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation tSCS applied at various spinal segments in different combinations. The study includes baseline, stimulation, and final assessment phases, with clinical evaluations carried out after each condition. The interventions include multiple combinations of tSCS applied to spinal levels C5, L1, and Coc1, followed by gait rehabilitation. Participants will be assessed using several measures including the 6-minute walk test 6MWT, muscle strength tests, spasticity scales, and neurophysiological studies such as spinal cord excitability and muscle activity recordings. Assessments occur at baseline, after three weeks of treatment, and one week after follow-up. The study involves detailed clinical and functional evaluations to monitor changes in motor and sensory function, spasticity, and gait performance over the course of the study, which lasts for several weeks.

Development of a Novel Strategy to Analyze the Effect on Gait Using Transcutaneous Spinal Current Stimulation in Incomplete Spinal Cord Injured Patients