Actively Recruiting
Spinal Cord Stimulation for Children With Cerebral Palsy
Led by Martin Piazza · Updated on 2026-04-07
30
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
35 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The goal of this clinical trial is to help understand spinal cord excitability in children with cerebral palsy compared to neurologically typical children. The main questions it aims to answer are: * What are the mechanisms of spinal circuit hyperexcitability in CP? * Can transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation reduce spinal circuit hyperexcitability? Participants with cerebral palsy will be asked to complete: * Movement and strength exercises * Mild, non-invasive stimulation on the back and legs that feels like a light tap. * Gentle, non-invasive tests that help us see how the brain and the spinal cord communicate with the muscles
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Spinal Cord Stimulation for Children With Cerebral Palsy
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Children aged 5 to 17 years with a confirmed diagnosis of cerebral palsy
- Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels I to IV, able to walk with or without assistance
- Stable medical condition without recent surgeries or interventions affecting motor function
- Able to communicate basic needs and follow simple instructions
- Informed consent from a parent or legal guardian and assent from the child as appropriate
- Children aged 5 to 17 years without neurological diagnoses (control group)
- Fully ambulatory without assistance (control group)
- Able to communicate basic needs and follow simple instructions (control group)
- Informed consent from a parent or legal guardian and assent from the child as appropriate (control group)
You will not qualify if you...
- Presence of implanted medical devices that may interfere with transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation
- Severe scoliosis or spinal deformities affecting stimulation delivery
- Uncontrolled epilepsy or frequent seizures
- Severe cognitive impairments limiting study compliance
- Skin conditions or open wounds at the stimulation site
- Participation in other interventional studies that may affect results
- Serious diseases or disorders affecting ability to participate, such as cancer or severe cardiac or respiratory disease
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15224
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
B
Bailey McDonald, BS
CONTACT
M
Martin G Piazza, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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