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bihemispheric transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS) for Spinal Cord Injury

N/A
Waitlist Available
Research Sponsored by Shepherd Center, Atlanta GA
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Be older than 18 years old
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up through study completion, up to 5 weeks
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

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.

Eligible Conditions
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Quadriplegia

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~through study completion, up to 5 weeks
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and through study completion, up to 5 weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Change from Baseline Corticospinal Excitability
Change from Baseline Motor Control & Strength
Secondary study objectives
Stimulation Questionnaire

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

5Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: unihemispheric transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: unihemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group III: bihemispheric transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group IV: bihemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group V: sham-controlActive Control1 Intervention

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Shepherd Center, Atlanta GALead Sponsor
29 Previous Clinical Trials
3,992 Total Patients Enrolled
The Craig H. Neilsen FoundationOTHER
59 Previous Clinical Trials
2,984 Total Patients Enrolled
~3 spots leftby Nov 2025