Non-invasive Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation To Restore Upper Extremity Function in Multiple Sclerosis (NCT06552611)

🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

Current disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) aim to prevent the development of new lesions; unfortunately, no current FDA-approved therapies promote central nervous system (CNS) repair mechanisms. Thus, strategies to promote functional recovery from lesion-related deficits in adults with MS remain an unmet need. This is a pilot study designed to test the feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy of non-invasive (transcutaneous, applied by surface electrodes over the skin) electrical spinal cord stimulation combined with occupational therapy for restoring upper extremity sensorimotor function in adults with multiple sclerosis. Participants with multiple sclerosis and impaired upper extremity function will complete two separate 6-week intervention sessions: 6 weeks of occupational therapy combined with transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation and 6 weeks of occupational therapy alone. The order of these interventions will be randomized, and each intervention will be separated by a 6-week washout period. The investigators hypothesize that: 1. transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation combined with therapy will be feasible and acceptable by participants 2. transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation combined with therapy will lead to improvements in upper extremity function compared to occupational therapy alone 3. transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation combined with therapy will lead to improvements in symptoms related to quality of life (pain, spasticity, and bladder symptoms) compared to occupational therapy alone

Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.

Location: University of Washington — Seattle, Washington

Age range: 21 Years to 70 Years