Actively Recruiting
Upper Extremity Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for Restoration of Upper Extremity Function After Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Led by University of Miami · Updated on 2026-04-23
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
221 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The purpose of this research is to examine the effects that functional electrical stimulation (FES) therapy has on the way the arms, brain and spinal cord work. The study team wants to understand what recovery looks like in persons with a spinal cord injury (SCI) or peripheral nerve injury (PNI) using the MyndMove (MyndTec Inc., Ontario, Canada) therapy system. This type of therapy uses stimulation to help people with SCI and other neurological conditions to perform common tasks, work out, or strengthen muscles.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Upper Extremity Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for Restoration of Upper Extremity Function After Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adults aged 18 to 70 years
- Traumatic spinal cord injury at or above T1 level with AIS A, B, C or D impairment
- Acute SCI less than 6 months post-injury and medically stable or chronic SCI more than 6 months post-injury
- Peripheral nerve injury with or without SCI, pre- or post-upper extremity nerve transfer surgery
- Medically stable and approved by neurosurgeon to participate within appropriate timeframes around nerve transfer surgery
- Detectable muscle contraction with FES in at least one affected upper limb at baseline
- Detectable motor function in at least one upper limb muscle on affected side confirmed by EMG or motor evoked potential at baseline
- Ability to commit to intervention and assessments over up to 4 months (for Aim 2)
You will not qualify if you...
- Traumatic brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or other disorders affecting neuromotor function
- Severe spasticity preventing study participation
- Major executive dysfunction, dementia, depression, neurocognitive impairments, or major medical co-morbidities
- Contraindications for FES such as skin breakdown, thrombosis, or skin disease at electrode sites
- Poorly managed autonomic dysreflexia triggered by FES
- Unhealed upper extremity fractures, contractures, or pressure sores
- Implanted neurostimulators such as deep brain stimulation, epidural/subdural, or vagal nerve stimulation
- Cardiac pacemaker or intracardiac lines
- Need for therapy or care that would interfere with study participation
- Use of investigational drugs or interventions affecting neuromotor function
- Substance abuse including alcoholism and drug abuse
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or desire to become pregnant during study
- Investigator judgment deeming study unsafe or inappropriate for participant
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Miami - Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
Miami, Florida, United States, 33136
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
Cristina Thurston, DPT
CONTACT
D
Deena Cilien, DPT
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
4
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