Back to search results

Ultrasound for Muscle Activation with Spinal Cord and Electrical Stimulation

This study is investigating how different types of stimulation affect muscle activation in your lower legs. Researchers are using Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), which directly stimulates muscles, and Transcutaneous (Non-Invasive) Spinal Cord Stimulation (tSCS), which uses electrical currents on the skin over your spine. They want to see how much ankle movement (torque) is created by FES alone, tSCS alone, and when both are used together. Ultrasound will be used to measure muscle activity during these stimulations. This research aims to understand if combining these methods can lead to greater muscle activation, potentially helping people with spinal cord injuries. You may be able to join if you are a healthy adult between 18 and 60 years old, weigh less than 220 lbs, and can walk without assistance.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 30 healthy participants. It will compare the effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation (tSCS), and a combination of both.
What's involved
You would receive Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) and Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation (tSCS) to your ankle muscles and spine. Ultrasound data and ankle movement (torque) measurements will be collected during these stimulations.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your ankle joint torque and ultrasound-derived muscle activation will be measured throughout the study, estimated to last 12 months.

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

NCT07206797

Ultrasound for Quantifying Muscle Activation Elicited by Spinal Cord Stimulation and Functional Electrical Stimulation

Recruiting
NAAges 18–60Interventional
North Carolina State University
~30 participants
Updated 2025-10-14 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Functional Electrical StimulationTranscutaneous (Non-Invasive) Spinal Cord StimulationUltrasound

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Ankle Joint Torque
Measured over Through study completion, estimated 12 months
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Neuromodulatory Effects of TSCS and FES in Lower Limbs

Explore related trials

Healthy

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
North Carolina1

Who to contact

Nitin Sharma, Ph.D.
[email protected]
919-513-0787
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

Between 18 and 60 years of age
Weight less than 220 lb
Healthy and able to walk at preferred speed without an assistive device
Able to tolerate functional electrical stimulation and tSCS.

Exclusion

Active infection
history of cancer,
broken skin, sores, or areas of acute eczema near the electrode sites
metal implants, such as staples or pins, near the electrode sites
any neurological disorders
difficulty walking or an orthopedic condition that would impede walking normally without assistance
absent sensation in the lower extremities or trunk (torso),
allergies to adhesive skin tapes and/or ultrasound gels,
heart conditions
an implanted electronic device such as a pacemaker
current pregnancy
having no physiological response to FES and/or tSCS.

What this trial measures

  • Ankle Joint TorqueThrough study completion, estimated 12 months

    Ankle joint torque will be collected during stimulation with FES, with tSCS, and with FES + tSCS. We will compare the torque elicited by each simulation case.

  • Ultrasound-Derived Muscle ActivationThrough study completion, estimated 12 months

    Ultrasound data will be collected from the shin muscles during FES, tSCS, and FES + tSCS. Muscle activation will be extracted from this data, and activation levels will be compared across stimulation cases.