Study overview
Walking is an important goal for many people living with spinal cord injury (SCI). While many rehabilitation approaches can help improve walking, they often require specialized equipment and clinic visits, which can make regular practice at home challenging. This study is exploring a practical training approach that could help people maintain the gains they achieve with locomotor training, and perhaps even extend those gains in a community setting. The study examines whether moderate-intensity motor skill training can improve walking, balance, and strength in people with SCI, and whether adding non-invasive transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) can lead to even greater benefits.
What participating involves
Participation lasts approximately 4 weeks. During the first 2 weeks, participants complete 6 general exercise sessions. During the final 2 weeks, participants are randomly assigned to 1 of 2 stimulation intensities for the duration of the study (either at a level they cannot feel or at a level that produces tingling in the legs and feet). Walking, balance, strength, and muscle stiffness will be assessed at three time points, with brief check-ins before and after each training session.
Is this study right for you?
To take part in this study, participants must:
- Be between 16 and 75 years old
- Have experienced a spinal cord injury at levels C3 to T12, at least 3 months ago
- Have some voluntary movement in their legs and be able to:
- Stand for at least five minutes
- Move each leg independently for at least 3 steps
- Rise from sitting to standing with no more than moderate help from one person, with or without an assistive device
- Have been at a stable dose of prescription medications taken for spasticity for the past 2 weeks
- Be able and willing to consent to the study, authorize the use of personal health information, follow instructions, and communicate any pain or discomfort
This study is not suitable for people who:
- Have spinal conditions that are progressive or degenerative
- Have a spinal cord injury below T12
- Are pregnant or may become pregnant during the study
- Have heart or cardiovascular problems, bone, joint, or orthopedic issues that make exercise unsafe
- Have implanted stimulators such as baclofen pumps, spinal cord stimulators, defibrillators, or diaphragmatic pacemakers
- Have open cuts, wounds, or sensitive skin near the stimulation area
- Have active cancer or a history of cancer
Who to contact for more information
Jaclyn Miller, PT, DPT
Phone: 404-350-7638
Email: jaclyn.miller@shepherd.org
Anastasia Zarkou, PT, Ph.D.
Phone: 404-303-4200
Email: anastasia.zarkou@shepherd.org
