Back to search results

Eccentric Muscle Training and Electrical Stimulation for Spinal Cord Injury

This study is testing a new rehabilitation treatment called Downhill Eccentric Treadmill Training with Electrical Stimulation (dhSTIM) for people recovering walking after a spinal cord injury (SCI). You would walk on a treadmill on a downward slope with support, and your muscles would receive electrical stimulation. Researchers are also looking at blood and spinal fluid to find "biomarkers" (features that can indicate a condition or how the body responds to treatment) to help determine the best time to start this training. The study aims to see if this training improves muscle activity and walking mechanics. You may be eligible if you are 18-85 years old and had an SCI 1-5 months ago, or if you are a healthy adult in the same age range without recent major injuries or surgery. The study is currently recruiting up to 49 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study with an unclear status, planning to enroll 49 participants. SCI participants will be randomly assigned to either a standard care group or the dhSTIM group.
What's involved
If you are in the dhSTIM group, you will have spinal fluid and blood collected. Your training will involve walking on a downhill treadmill with electrical stimulation and you will continue with regular outpatient therapy. MRI scans will also be performed.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Changes in muscle activity and walking mechanics will be measured at 12 weeks.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05337982

Eccentric Muscle Training, Stimulation, and Biomarkers in SCI

Recruiting
NAAges 18–85InterventionalTreatment
Ohio State University
~49 participants
Updated 2025-12-23 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Downhill Eccentric Treadmill Training with Electrical Stimulation

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change from baseline in electromyography of eccentric acting muscles
Measured over 12 weeks
+8 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries
Healthy

Explore related trials

HealthySpinal Cord Injury

Where it's being run

2 sites across 2 states
Ohio1
Canada1

Study leadership

  • D. Michele Basso, EdD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Ohio State University

Who to contact

Michele Basso, EdD, PT
[email protected]
614-814-1404
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Discharged from inpatient rehabilitation;
AIS A-D at neurologic level C1-T10;
18-85 years old.
Adults 18-85 years old;
no recent major musculoskeletal injury;
no recent surgery.

Exclusion

Use of botox in the past 3 months that reduces skeletal muscle function;
other neurologic conditions (i.e. brain injury, stroke, HIV);
current cancer diagnosis;
active deep vein thrombosis and anti-coagulation therapy;
skin wounds in regions that interfere with harness, stimulation pads or hand placement needed for training.
pregnancy;
ventilator-dependence;
cognitive conditions that preclude providing informed consent.
Implanted medical devices that are contraindicated for electrical stimulation or MRI \*(If SCI participants have conditions contraindicated for MRI they may still participate in the remainder of study activities without myelin status as an outcome measure. SCI is a rare condition therefore this is necessary in order to achieve the required sample size.)
Implanted medical devices that are contraindicated for MRI (MRI participants only);
neurologic conditions (i.e. brain injury, stroke, HIV);
current cancer diagnosis;
clotting disorders requiring anti-coagulation therapy;
inflammatory conditions like arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus, etc;
pregnancy;
fear of needles;
claustrophobia;
cognitive conditions that preclude providing informed consent.

What this trial measures

  • Change from baseline in electromyography of eccentric acting muscles12 weeks

    Muscle activation during weight acceptance while walking on a treadmill

  • Change from baseline in kinetics during weight acceptance12 weeks

    Peak magnitude of loading response as measured by the peak magnitude of power absorption during the weight acceptance phase of walking on a treadmill

  • Change from baseline in kinematics during weight acceptance: hip range of motion12 weeks

    Range of motion of the hip joint during walking on a treadmill

  • Change from baseline in kinematics during weight acceptance: knee range of motion12 weeks

    Range of motion of the knee joint during walking on a treadmill

  • Change from baseline in kinematics during weight acceptance: ankle range of motion12 weeks

    Range of motion of the ankle joint during walking on a treadmill

  • Change from baseline in kinematics during weight acceptance: hip acceleration12 weeks

    Acceleration of the hip joint during walking on a treadmill

  • Change from baseline in kinematics during weight acceptance: knee acceleration12 weeks

    Acceleration of the knee joint during walking on a treadmill

  • Change from baseline in kinematics during weight acceptance: ankle acceleration12 weeks

    Acceleration of the ankle joint during walking on a treadmill

  • Change from baseline in myelination in brain and spinal cord measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)12 weeks

    Myelin spared pre and post intervention in the motor areas of the brain and cervical spinal cord compared to healthy controls