Enhancing Corticospinal Excitability to Improve Functional Recovery
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
Research indicates that increasing brain excitability might help improve hand function in people with spinal cord injury. Brain stimulation that uses electrodes placed on the surface of the scalp (also called "non-invasive brain stimulation") increases brain excitability and has the potential to make it easier for the brain and nervous system to respond to arm and hand training. The purpose of this study is to compare four different types of stimulation for increasing brain excitability to determine which types are best for helping people with tetraplegia improve their ability to use their arms and hands. To fully evaluate the value of brain stimulation on arm and hand function, the investigators will also evaluate the effect of sham (fake) stimulation. Each participant will receive a single session of each of the five types of stimulation being tested.
Research Team
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Bihemispheric Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) (Corticosteroid)
- Bihemispheric Transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation (tPCS) (Corticosteroid)
- Sham-Control (Corticosteroid)
- Unihemispheric Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) (Corticosteroid)
- Unihemispheric Transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation (tPCS) (Corticosteroid)
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Shepherd Center, Atlanta GA
Lead Sponsor
The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation
Collaborator
Ray Neilsen
The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation
Chief Executive Officer since 2006
MBA and JD from the University of Utah
Dr. Steven Kirshblum
The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation
Chief Medical Officer since 2022
MD