Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation to Improve Strength and Gait in Children With Spina Bifida
Bailey Petersen
Summary
A single-center, open-label, investigational pilot trial to explore potential effects of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation on leg muscle strength and walking in children with myelomeningocele.
Description
Transcutaneous, or non-invasive, spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) has been effective at improving motor control, especially walking, in adults with a variety of neuromuscular disorders and in children with spinal cord injury. Children with spina bifida often have similar difficulties with walking, muscle strength and bladder control throughout their lives, with few effective therapies to reliably improve walking. In this pilot, the investigators will test if tSCS can improve motor deficits and bladder control in children with spina bifida. The investigators are enrolling up to 20 subjects with m…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 4–17 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed myelomeningocele confirmed by a neurosurgeon or neurologist * Some difficulty ambulating, but able to ambulate at least a short distance (10 meters) with devices and/or assistance. * Between the ages of 4 and 17 years of age. * Documented neurogenic bladder dysfunction * On a stable bladder management regimen at least 4-6 weeks prior to the enrollment in the trial Exclusion Criteria: * Severe behavioral or cognitive impairments that preclude participation in the study, in the opinion of the investigator. * Has an active surgery planned for impairments from sp…
Interventions
- DeviceTranscutaneous stimulator
an off the shelf TENS unit or Digitimer DS8R (using same parameters as TENS unit)
Location
- University of PittsburghPittsburgh, Pennsylvania