Functional Electrical Stimulation FES Therapy to Restore Arm Function After Spinal Cord or Peripheral Nerve Injury

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the effects of functional electrical stimulation FES therapy on the function of the arms, brain, and spinal cord in people with spinal cord injury SCI or peripheral nerve injury PNI. The study aims to understand recovery patterns using the MyndMove therapy system, which uses electrical stimulation to help people perform daily tasks, exercise, and strengthen muscles. This research focuses on individuals with traumatic SCI at or above the T1 spinal level and those with PNI, evaluating different stages of injury and nerve transfer surgery recovery. Participants will receive either MyndMove FES therapy or conventional therapy. MyndMove Short Term Therapy consists of one in-person session within two weeks using surface electrical stimulation to activate muscles and perform arm and hand tasks. MyndMove Long Term Therapy involves up to 40 one-hour sessions delivered three to five times weekly over 12 weeks, focusing on regaining voluntary arm movements. Conventional therapy includes similar hand and arm functional tasks without electrical stimulation. Four groups participate based on injury type and time since injury or surgery, each involved in the study for up to 12 weeks. During the study, participants will undergo assessments such as the Nine Hole Peg Test, surface EMG, the GRASSP Prehension Performance, and Manual Muscle Test with FES at baseline, during, and after the therapy period. The study involves monitoring muscle and motor function recovery using these tests to measure changes in arm and hand abilities. Participants commit to intervention and assessment sessions over a maximum of four months, with safety and functional progress closely evaluated throughout the study.

Upper Extremity Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for Restoration of Upper Extremity Function After Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)