Hand and Arm Motor Recovery Via Non-invasive Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation After Stroke (NCT05591196)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
The recovery from a stroke is often incomplete. It is the leading cause of acquired permanent disability in the adult population. Persistent functional loss of the hand and arm contributes significantly to disability. However, the current standard of care to treat hand and arm movements are inadequate. There is an urgent need for innovative and effective therapies for recovery of the upper limb after stroke. Growing evidence shows that electrical spinal cord stimulation, combined with activity-dependent rehabilitation, enables voluntary movement of paralyzed muscles in some neurologic disorders, such as spinal cord injury. The investigators hypothesize that spinal networks that lost control after stroke can be activated by non-invasive electrical stimulation of the spinal cord to improve functional recovery. The aims of the study are: 1. to determine the improvements in hand and arm function that result from the combined application of non-invasive spinal stimulation and activity-based rehabilitation. Surface electrodes placed over the skin of the neck will be used for non-invasive electrical stimulation of the spinal cord. Functional task practice will be used for activity-dependent rehabilitation, 2. to evaluate long-lasting benefits to hand and arm function that persist beyond the period of spinal stimulation.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (8 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (14 items).
Location: University of Washington — Seattle, Washington
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Hemorrhagic stroke
- History of multiple strokes
- Active implanted stimulator (e.g., pacemaker, vagus nerve stimulator, cochlear implant, etc.) or baclofen pump
- Aphasia or any other deficit in communication that interferes with reasonable study participation
- Moderate to severe cognitive impairment
- Presence of neglect (inability to perceive or awareness of, or loss of attention to the weaker half of the body)
- Severe spasticity in the upper limb
- Taking baclofen more than 30 mg/day
- Change in baclofen dose within four weeks before enrollment
- Receiving benzodiazepines, dantrolene, tizanidine, anticoagulant, or antiepileptic medication
- Botulinum toxin injection to the upper limb muscles within six months before enrollment
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- University of Washington — Seattle, Washington
💰 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.