Purpose

This study evaluates a remotely supervised, home-based therapeutic program to improve upper-limb voluntary movement in adults with tetraplegia caused by incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI).

Condition

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 70 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  1. diagnosis of a chronic incomplete cervical lesion as defined by the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment scale classification and at least for 6 months post-injury; 2. upper-extremity weakness associated with tetraplegia with minimal residual thumb and index; finger movement sufficient to grip small objects such as marble; 3. no brain injury; 4. no planned alteration in upper-extremity therapy or medication for muscle tone during the course of the study; 5. no contradiction to tDCS; 6. access to internet at home.

Exclusion Criteria

  1. prior history of seizure; 2. chronic use of neuroactive medication (e.g., neurostimulants, anticonvulsants, or antidepressants); 3. any joint contracture or severe spasticity in the affected upper extremity, as measured by a Modified Ashworth Score ≥ than 3 out of 4.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Intervention Model Description
Double-blind, randomized controlled trial
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking Description
active or sham tDCS

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Active tDCS
Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the primary motor cortex delivered at 2mA for 20 minutes
  • Device: Active tDCS
    Anodal tDCS will be placed over the primary motor cortex and delivered at 2mA for 20 minutes. Immediately after stimulation ceases, participants will continue with unilateral repetitive arm and finger exercises for 60 minutes. Exercise difficulty will gradually be increased and adjusted per participant's tolerance.
Sham Comparator
Sham tDCS
Sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the primary motor cortex delivered at 2mA for 20 minutes
  • Device: Sham tDCS
    Anodal tDCS will be placed over the primary motor cortex and delivered at 2mA for 20 minutes. Immediately after stimulation ceases, participants will continue with unilateral repetitive arm and finger exercises for 60 minutes. Exercise difficulty will gradually be increased and adjusted per participant's tolerance.

Recruiting Locations

The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) at Memorial Hermann
Houston, Texas 77030
Contact:
Nuray Yozbatiran, PhD, PT
713-797-5282
Nuray.Yozbatiran@uth.tmc.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Study Contact

Nuray Yozbatiran, PhD, PT
7137975282
Nuray.Yozbatiran@uth.tmc.edu

Detailed Description

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) has been associated with serious reduction in functional independence. Despite compelling evidence that treatment intensity has a profound effect on motor recovery only a small fraction of SCI population are able to receive intensive in-clinic treatment. Difficulty traveling to the clinic, poor adherence to assignments and high cost are limiting factors. Currently, telerehabilitation programs are emerging as an alternative effective method of delivery for rehabilitation services. The literature and our preliminary findings support the model that augmentation of activity in spared corticospinal tract (CST) axons is a critical mechanism of motor improvement, and furthermore that CST activity can be increased by repetitive motor training and by electrical stimulation of the primary motor cortex (M1). However, there is still lack of knowledge on safety, feasibility and efficacy of remotely- supervised home-based therapy programs that incorporates non-invasive brain stimulation and high intensity repetitive arm exercises. To address these questions, 36 adults (above 18 years) with cervical SCI will be randomly assigned to two groups in a 2:1 ratio (active stimulation group, n=24 vs control group, n=12) and receive daily treatment, 10 sessions, over 2-weeks. The anodal tDCS will be applied over primary motor cortex (M1) at an intensity of 2mA for 20 minutes and proceed with 60 minutes of repetitive arm and hand training. Primary outcome measure is change in Graded and Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensibility, and Prehension (GRASSP) from baseline to immediately after treatment and 4-weeks follow-up. The session will be supervised in real-time via videoconferencing.

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.