Actively Recruiting
Spinal Cord Stimulation for Functional Recovery in Humans With Tetraplegia
Led by VA Office of Research and Development · Updated on 2026-01-16
86
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
209 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
In support of the long-term goal of developing new strategies to increase limb function after SCI, the objectives of this proposal are to: 1) Examine the behavioral and physiological effects of TESS on upper-limb muscles after cervical SCI; and 2) Maximize the recovery of reaching and grasping potential by using tailored TESS in a task-specific manner with motor training. Veterans with cervical spinal injuries and healthy volunteers will be recruited for this study.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Spinal Cord Stimulation for Functional Recovery in Humans With Tetraplegia
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Male or female veterans aged 18 to 70 years
- Chronic spinal cord injury of at least 1 year
- Cervical spinal cord injury at C8 or above confirmed by MRI
- Some preserved sensation in C6, C7, and C8 dermatomes
- Able to make a visible power grip with one hand
- Minimum score of 2 in cylindrical grasp on GRASSP test
- For controls: males or females aged 18 to 70 years, right-handed, able to complete grasping tasks
You will not qualify if you...
- Uncontrolled pulmonary, cardiovascular, or orthopedic diseases
- Debilitating diseases causing exercise intolerance prior to SCI
- Major depression, psychosis, or altered cognitive status
- History of head injury, concussion, skull fractures, recent unexplained headaches, or stroke
- Presence of pacemaker or metal plate in skull
- History of seizures
- Use of drugs that lower seizure threshold such as certain antipsychotics or antidepressants
- Pregnancy
- Ongoing spinal cord compression, syrinx, or diseases like spinal stenosis, spina bifida, or herniated cervical disk
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611
Actively Recruiting
2
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL
Hines, Illinois, United States, 60141-3030
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Monica A Perez, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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