Using Non-invasive Brain and Spinal Cord Stimulation to Improve Arm and Hand Function After Spinal Cord Injury (NCT07423949)
Combining Non-invasive Brain and Spinal Cord Stimulation for Improving Arm and Hand Function Following Spinal Cord Injury.
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts communication between the brain and spinal circuits, affecting voluntary movement control and contributing to arm and hand impairments, the top recovery priority for people with tetraplegia. Although rehabilitation and emerging neuromodulation approaches can support meaningful gains, many individuals experience persistent limitations in reaching and grasping. Current noninvasive stimulation strategies typically target the brain OR the spinal cord alone, despite strong reciprocal interactions between these structures. Cervical transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) can enhance upper limb function. Cerebellar stimulation, given its key role in sensorimotor integration and modulation of corticospinal excitability, represents a promising but underexplored therapeutic target. Theta burst stimulation (TBS), a rapid form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), induces lasting changes in cortical excitability and may promote associative plasticity when paired with spinal cord stimulation. This double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled pilot trial (n=24) will evaluate the feasibility, preliminary efficacy, and mechanisms of combined cerebellar TBS + cervical tSCS in people with chronic cervical SCI (AIS B, C or D). Participants will either receive cerebellar TBS + cervical tSCS, tSCS only, or sham stimulation while engaging in functional task practice such as pinching and grasping 3x/week for 8 weeks. Feasibility outcomes include adherence, retention, and safety. Efficacy will be assessed using the GRASSP strength sub-score and KINARM-based measures of sensorimotor control. Mechanistic outcomes will assess changes in cortical and spinal cord functional connectivity using resting state fMRI, corticospinal excitability using motor evoked potentials, and spinal excitability using the H reflex. Findings will establish whether combined cerebellar TBS and cervical tSCS is feasible, safe, and capable of enhancing upper limb recovery.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: University of British Columbia — Vancouver, British Columbia
Age range: 19 Years to 75 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistFull eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria ↗
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- University of British Columbia — Vancouver, British Columbia
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (604) 827-3369
Email: boyd.lab@ubc.ca
Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
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Explore by condition: All Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders (SCI/D) clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.