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Autonomic Effects of Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation in Spinal Cord Injury

This study is exploring how transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (a non-invasive electrical stimulation of the spinal cord) might help people with spinal cord injuries. Researchers want to see if this stimulation can increase blood pressure, improve exercise ability (power output and heart rate recovery during arm cycling), and help regulate body temperature in cool environments. To join, you must be at least 18 years old, have had your spinal cord injury for over a year, be non-ambulatory (unable to walk), and have a specific lesion level (C3-T6, AIS A, B, or C). You also need to be on stable medications and able to attend 7 visits within 60 days. The study is looking for 20 participants, but its current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study with an unclear phase, planning to enroll 20 participants. It involves comparing the effects of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation to a sham (inactive) treatment.
What's involved
You would need to commit to 7 visits within a 60-day period. These visits include two 2-3 hour sessions for arm cycle ergometry and two 3-4 hour sessions for body temperature assessment in a cool environment.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your progress will be measured through study completion, which can be up to 2 years.

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

NCT05664646

Autonomic Effects of Stimulation in SCI

Active, Not Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
VA Office of Research and Development
~20 participants
Updated 2026-07-02 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Study 1. Arm Cycle Ergometry Outcome - Peak Workload
Measured over through study completion, up to 2 years
+5 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injury

Explore related trials

HypotensionOrthostatic HypotensionSpinal Cord Injury

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
New York1

Study leadership

  • Jill Wecht, EdD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

injury more than 1 year ago, non-ambulatory
level of lesion C3-T6, AIS A, B, or C
stable prescription medication regimen for at least 30 days
must be able to commit to study requirements of 7 visits within a 60-day period

Exclusion

extensive history of seizures
ventilator dependence or patent tracheostomy site
history of neurologic disorder other than SCI
history of moderate or severe head trauma
contraindications to spine stimulation
significant cardiovascular disease
active psychological disorder
recent history (within 3 months) of substance abuse
open skin lesions over spine at levels targeted for stimulation (L1/L2) and pregnancy

What this trial measures

  • Study 1. Arm Cycle Ergometry Outcome - Peak Workloadthrough study completion, up to 2 years

    Difference between active TSCS and sham TSCS conditions, measured in watts.

  • Study 1. Arm Cycle Ergometry Outcome - Total Exercise Timethrough study completion, up to 2 years

    Difference between active TSCS and sham TSCS conditions, measured in minutes.

  • Study 1. Arm Cycle Ergometry Outcome - Recovery Heart Ratethrough study completion, up to 2 years

    Difference between active TSCS and sham TSCS conditions, measured at 1 minute, 2 minutes, and 5 minutes.

  • Study 2. Thermoregulatory Outcome - Core Temperaturethrough study completion, up to 2 years

    Difference between active TSCS and sham TSCS conditions, measured in degrees Celsius.

  • Study 2. Thermoregulatory Outcome - Thermal Comfortthrough study completion, up to 2 years

    Difference between active TSCS and sham TSCS conditions, measured using a Likert scale.

  • Study 2. Thermoregulatory Outcome - Thermal Sensationthrough study completion, up to 2 years

    Difference between active TSCS and sham TSCS conditions, measured using a Likert scale.