Noninvasive Spinal Cord Stimulation to Improve Walking and Reduce Muscle Stiffness in Adults with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether a noninvasive technique called transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation tSCS can improve walking ability and reduce muscle stiffness in adults with hereditary spastic paraplegia HSP, a rare neurological condition causing nerve damage that leads to stiffness, weakness, and walking difficulties. The study is focused on adults diagnosed with HSP and aims to explore changes in motor function and disease severity. Participants will undergo 16 sessions of tSCS over 8 weeks, receiving stimulation twice weekly through self-adhesive electrodes placed on the skin over the lower back. Each session lasts about one hour and does not require surgery. Following this treatment phase, participants will be monitored for an additional 8 weeks without stimulation to assess whether any improvements continue. During the study, researchers will assess walking speed using the 10-Meter Walk Test and walking endurance with the 6-Minute Walk Test at multiple time points. Muscle stiffness, disease severity, bladder and bowel function, muscle strength, joint movement, sit-to-stand ability, and knee pain will also be evaluated. These assessments occur at baseline and at weeks 1, 4, 8, and 16, tracking progress during and after stimulation. Participants will complete questionnaires and physical tests to provide comprehensive data on the effects of tSCS.

Neuromodulation to Enhance Motor Function in HSP