Paired Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Hand Function Recovery in Humans Post Cervical SCI
Kessler Foundation
Summary
Individuals who suffer a spinal cord injury in the neck region have difficulty using their hands due to paralysis and/or weakness of their arms and hand muscles. This project aims to test the effects of pairing spinal cord and nerve stimulation combined with physical therapy training in recovering arms and hand function. The long-term goal is to provide better therapies that will improve the ability of individuals with spinal cord injuries to use their arms and hands to perform everyday tasks, similar to injury before.
Description
Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) results in paralysis and/or weakness of arms and hands that severely affects the independence and quality of life post-injury. Therefore, regaining arm and hand function remains the top priority of this population. Considering that SCI is mostly incomplete in nature, recent evidence suggests that physical or occupational therapy training combined with spinal cord transcutaneous stimulation (scTS) is effective in restoring arm and hand function post-cervical SCI. scTS is a non-invasive painless technique that augments the intrinsic capacity of the spinal cord t…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
For SCI participants: Inclusion Criteria: * At least 18 years of age * Non-progressive cervical SCI * Greater than or equal to 6-months post spinal cord injury * Stable medical condition * Viable median and ulnar nerve as evident from MMR and M-Wave recordings * Wrist extensor and finger flexors score between 1-3 for both upper extremity for ISNCSCI motor assessment. Exclusion Criteria: * Ventilator Dependent * Untreated fracture or pressure ulcer * Untreated psychiatric disorder or ongoing drug abuse * Cardiac, respiratory, bladder, renal, or other untreated medical disorder unrelated to…
Interventions
- DeviceSpinal cord transcutaneous stimulation
Physical therapy combined with spinal cord transcutaneous stimulation will increase activity in the paralyzed or weak arm and hand muscles in individuals with spinal cord injury. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation is a non-invasive stimulation strategy and are known to facilitate recovery of lost function post spinal cord injury.
- DevicePaired spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation
Physical therapy combined with paired spinal cord-peripheral nerve stimulation will increase activity in the paralyzed or weak arm and hand muscles in individuals with spinal cord injury. Transcutaneous spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation are both non-invasive stimulation strategy and are known to facilitate recovery of lost function post spinal cord injury.
Location
- Kessler FoundationWest Orange, New Jersey