Functional Task Practice + Electrical Stimulation for Spinal Cord Injury

Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May be covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: N/A

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Craig Hospital

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?This trial is testing three different types of physical therapy exercises to help people with spinal cord injuries regain movement in their arms and stabilize their trunk. The goal is to retrain the body to move correctly, improving overall function and stability. Participants will undergo multiple sessions and be evaluated at different stages to track their progress.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) who are currently in rehabilitation. They must have some movement response to electrical stimulation in their upper body muscles and no severe physical or cognitive issues that would make the treatment unsafe. It's not for those with unstable heart/lung conditions, skin injuries affecting the arms, pregnancy, recent Botox injections, or certain implanted devices.

Inclusion Criteria

I am currently in rehab at Craig Hospital.

My spinal cord injury occurred less than 5 months ago.

My spinal cord injury is between levels C1 and C8.

My muscles respond to electrical stimulation after my injury.

Exclusion Criteria

I have received Botox injections in the past 3 months.

I do not have current or past upper extremity contractures or skin injuries that could affect treatment.

I have stable heart or lung conditions.

Treatment Details

The study compares three treatments aiming to improve arm function and trunk stability after SCI: Functional Task Practice (FTP) alone; FTP combined with conventional Functional Electrical Stimulation (Con-FES); and FTP paired with Weight-Prompted Hand Function FES (WPHF-FES). Participants will undergo 40 sessions of their assigned intervention.

3Treatment groups

Active Control

Group I: FTP+Con-FESActive Control1 Intervention

Functional Task Practice + Conventional Functional Electrical Stimulation - Participants allocated to this group will complete 40 minutes of training focused on improving functional tasks supplemented with conventional parameter (200µs; 40Hz) functional electrical stimulation (FES). followed by 10 minutes of functional training/carryover in a relevant environment.

Group II: FTP+WPHF-FESActive Control1 Intervention

Functional Task Practice + Wide Pulse, High Frequency Functional Electrical Stimulation - Participants allocated to this group will complete 40 minutes of training focused on improving functional tasks supplemented with wide pulse, high frequency (1000µs; 100 Hz) functional electrical stimulation (FES) followed by 10 minutes of functional training/carryover in a relevant environment.

Group III: FTP AloneActive Control1 Intervention

Functional Task Practice Alone - Participants allocated to this group will complete 40 minutes of training focused on improving functional tasks followed by 10 minutes of functional training/carryover in a relevant environment without functional electrical stimulation (FES).