Effectiveness of Non-Invasive Spinal Cord Stimulation Combined with Ankle Movement Training in Adults With Spinal Cord Injury

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation tSCS, a non-invasive method, on spinal circuitry adaptation in people with spinal cord injury SCI. The trial aims to find the best tSCS settings for spinal stimulation, explore how tSCS enhances spinal function during machine-assisted ankle movement training, and study the long-term results of combining tSCS with ankle training. Both healthy individuals and those with complete or incomplete SCI will participate to better understand spinal re-adaptation. Participants will receive different interventions depending on their group. Healthy volunteers undergo tSCS sessions lasting 20 minutes. Those with SCI participate in machine-assisted ankle movement training combined with tSCS for 30 minutes per session. The long-term treatment involves three 30-minute sessions per week over four weeks. A control group of SCI patients will not receive the intervention, allowing comparison of outcomes. Throughout the study, researchers will assess spinal reflexes using measures like the H-reflex and M-wave, muscle spasticity, tone, elasticity, stiffness, and mechanical stress at the start and after four weeks. Additional evaluations include foot pressure, walking tests, joint motion range, and patient-reported spasticity impact. These assessments help track spinal circuitry changes and muscle function. The study is randomized and runs until August 2026.

Effect of tSCS on Ankle Movement Training in Individuals With SCI