Improving Walking After Spinal Cord Injury

This study is testing a new way to improve walking for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). It involves a treatment called Paired Associative Stimulation, which combines walking on a treadmill with body-weight support (Locomotor Training) with low-intensity electrical stimulation and loud sounds. Some participants will receive this new treatment, while others will receive a sham (inactive) stimulation with soft sounds during their locomotor training. Researchers want to see if the new treatment can improve walking speed, measured by a 10-meter walk test. You might be able to join if you are 18 to 75 years old, have had an SCI for at least 6 months, and have some weakness in your ankle muscles. The study aims to enroll 20 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design: This interventional study will randomly assign 20 participants with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury to receive either the active treatment or a sham (inactive) treatment, both combined with locomotor training.
What's involved: Participants will receive 10 sessions of either the active or sham stimulation combined with locomotor training. Walking ability will be measured at the start and after 12 days.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: Walking ability will be measured at baseline and again on day 12, indicating a short follow-up period.

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

Improving Walking After Spinal Cord Injury

Not Yet Recruiting

PHASE1Ages 18–75InterventionalTreatment

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

~20 participants

Updated 2025-11-03 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:Paired Associative StimulationLocomotor TrainingSham 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

10-meter walk test (10MWT)

Measured over baseline and day 12

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injury

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states

Illinois1

Study leadership

Dalia De Santis, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Who to contact

Dalia De Santis

[email protected]

312-238-7895

Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

History of traumatic or non-traumatic SCI ≥ 6 months

International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) level at and above T10.

American Spinal Injury Association AIS Grade C, or D

Weakness in ankle dorsiflexors (LEMS\<=3) with the ability to perform a small voluntary ankle dorsiflexion (as detected by presence of voluntary EMG activity in the tibialis anterior) with at least one leg.

Ability to tolerate standing position.

Ability to walk at a minimum speed of 0.1 mile/hour on a treadmill with less than 70% body weight support.

Requires use of assistive devices (KAFO, AFO, cane, walker) or body weight support for ambulation.

Ability to complete the 10-Meter Walk Test.

Exclusion

Preceding uncontrolled medical conditions including pulmonary, cardiovascular or orthopedic disease that interfere with physical performance.

Intolerance to physical activity.

Severe cognitive impairment that precludes the ability to participate in any of the study procedures or give verbal consent.

Any illness or condition that based on the research team's assessment, will compromise with the patient's ability to comply with the protocol, patient safety, or the validity of the data collected during the study.

History of stroke resulting in sensory motor deficits.

Pregnant women.

Participation in a high-intensity locomotor training program in the last 6 months.

Inability to detect somatosensory evoked potentials

Metal implant in the head

History of epilepsy

What this trial measures

10-meter walk test (10MWT)baseline and day 12
This standardized test assesses walking speed in meters per second over a short duration.

Trialytics