Effects of Transcutaneous Spinal Direct Current Stimulation in Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

January 27, 2020 updated by: Radha Korupolu, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of a novel therapeutic approach with transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) to promote functional recovery and spasticity in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of a novel therapeutic approach to promote functional recovery and spasticity in chronic SCI. The tsDCS effect on neuro-physiological measures such as H reflex and somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) wiil be evaluated in subjects with SCI. This incremental, design will allow the establishment of strong electrophysiological data prior to rapid clinical translation of the findings about this promising, early-stage technique.

The central hypothesis is twofold: 1) active tsDCS will lead to a change in Hmax/M max ratio than sham tsDCS, in a polarity dependent manner; and 2) active tsDCS will lead to a change in SSEP amplitude and latency, in a polarity dependent manner.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

15

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Texas
      • Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
        • The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 65 years (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Providing written informed consent prior to any study related procedures
  • 18-65 years of age
  • Motor incomplete SCI classified as B, C or D by the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS)
  • Traumatic lesion at or above T8-T9 neurological level
  • Body mass index ≤ 30 (in order to facilitate reliable location of body landmarks guiding stimulation);
  • Chronic SCI (time since injury>6 months)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Unstable cardiopulmonary conditions
  • History of seizure, head injury with loss of consciousness, severe alcohol or drug abuse, and/or psychiatric illness
  • Any joint contracture or severe spasticity, as measured by a Modified Ashworth Score 4
  • Subject who cannot provide self-transportation to the study location
  • Cardiac or neural pacemakers
  • Pregnancy
  • lower motor neuron injury (eg: peripheral neuropathy, cauda equina syndrome)
  • Uncontrolled diabetes with HbA1C>7
  • History of severe autonomic dysreflexia
  • No planned alteration in therapy or medication for muscle tone during the course of the study(No botulinum toxin injections in last 3 months, No phenol injections in last 6 months, intrathecal baclofen pump dose stable for past 3 months, etc)
  • Conditions for e.g., severe arthritis, extreme shoulder pain that would interfere with valid administration of the measures or with interpreting motor testing;
  • No contraindications to tsDCS
  • ferromagnetic material in the brain or in the spine (except for titanium used in segmental)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: TREATMENT
  • Allocation: RANDOMIZED
  • Interventional Model: CROSSOVER
  • Masking: TRIPLE

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
EXPERIMENTAL: Anode, then Cathode, then Anode, then Sham, then Cathode tsDCS
5 tsDCS sessions were performed for each subject, with at least a 1 week washout period between tsDCS sessions. For each session, the subject was randomly assigned to cathodal, anodal or sham tsDCS. Each subject who completed the study received 2 cathodal, 2 anodal and 1 sham tsDCS session.
During Anodal tsDCS intervention the positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Cathodal tsDCS intervention the negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Sham tsDCS intervention, battery will be turned off and no current will pass through the electrodes.
EXPERIMENTAL: Sham, then Cathode, then Anode, then Anode, then Cathode tsDCS
5 tsDCS sessions were performed for each subject, with at least a 1 week washout period between tsDCS sessions. For each session, the subject was randomly assigned to cathodal, anodal or sham tsDCS. Each subject who completed the study received 2 cathodal, 2 anodal and 1 sham tsDCS session.
During Anodal tsDCS intervention the positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Cathodal tsDCS intervention the negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Sham tsDCS intervention, battery will be turned off and no current will pass through the electrodes.
EXPERIMENTAL: Anode, then Cathode, then Sham, then Anode, then Cathode tsDCS
5 tsDCS sessions were performed for each subject, with at least a 1 week washout period between tsDCS sessions. For each session, the subject was randomly assigned to cathodal, anodal or sham tsDCS. Each subject who completed the study received 2 cathodal, 2 anodal and 1 sham tsDCS session.
During Anodal tsDCS intervention the positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Cathodal tsDCS intervention the negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Sham tsDCS intervention, battery will be turned off and no current will pass through the electrodes.
EXPERIMENTAL: Cathode, then Anode, then Cathode, then Anode, then Sham tsDCS
5 tsDCS sessions were performed for each subject, with at least a 1 week washout period between tsDCS sessions. For each session, the subject was randomly assigned to cathodal, anodal or sham tsDCS. Each subject who completed the study received 2 cathodal, 2 anodal and 1 sham tsDCS session.
During Anodal tsDCS intervention the positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Cathodal tsDCS intervention the negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Sham tsDCS intervention, battery will be turned off and no current will pass through the electrodes.
EXPERIMENTAL: Anode, then Anode, then Sham, then Cathode, then Cathode tsDCS
5 tsDCS sessions were performed for each subject, with at least a 1 week washout period between tsDCS sessions. For each session, the subject was randomly assigned to cathodal, anodal or sham tsDCS. Each subject who completed the study received 2 cathodal, 2 anodal and 1 sham tsDCS session.
During Anodal tsDCS intervention the positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Cathodal tsDCS intervention the negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Sham tsDCS intervention, battery will be turned off and no current will pass through the electrodes.
EXPERIMENTAL: Sham, then Anode, then Cathode, then Cathode, then Anode tsDCS
5 tsDCS sessions were performed for each subject, with at least a 1 week washout period between tsDCS sessions. For each session, the subject was randomly assigned to cathodal, anodal or sham tsDCS. Each subject who completed the study received 2 cathodal, 2 anodal and 1 sham tsDCS session.
During Anodal tsDCS intervention the positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Cathodal tsDCS intervention the negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Sham tsDCS intervention, battery will be turned off and no current will pass through the electrodes.
EXPERIMENTAL: Cathode, then Anode, then Cathode, then Sham, then Anode tsDCS
5 tsDCS sessions were performed for each subject, with at least a 1 week washout period between tsDCS sessions. For each session, the subject was randomly assigned to cathodal, anodal or sham tsDCS. Each subject who completed the study received 2 cathodal, 2 anodal and 1 sham tsDCS session.
During Anodal tsDCS intervention the positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Cathodal tsDCS intervention the negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Sham tsDCS intervention, battery will be turned off and no current will pass through the electrodes.
EXPERIMENTAL: Sham, then Anode, then Cathode, then Anode, then Cathode tsDCS
5 tsDCS sessions were performed for each subject, with at least a 1 week washout period between tsDCS sessions. For each session, the subject was randomly assigned to cathodal, anodal or sham tsDCS. Each subject who completed the study received 2 cathodal, 2 anodal and 1 sham tsDCS session.
During Anodal tsDCS intervention the positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Cathodal tsDCS intervention the negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Sham tsDCS intervention, battery will be turned off and no current will pass through the electrodes.
EXPERIMENTAL: Cathode, then Cathode, then Sham, then Anode, then Anode tsDCS
5 tsDCS sessions were performed for each subject, with at least a 1 week washout period between tsDCS sessions. For each session, the subject was randomly assigned to cathodal, anodal or sham tsDCS. Each subject who completed the study received 2 cathodal, 2 anodal and 1 sham tsDCS session.
During Anodal tsDCS intervention the positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Cathodal tsDCS intervention the negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Sham tsDCS intervention, battery will be turned off and no current will pass through the electrodes.
EXPERIMENTAL: Anode, Then Cathode, Then Anode, Then Cathode Then Sham tsDCS
5 tsDCS sessions were performed for each subject, with at least a 1 week washout period between tsDCS sessions. For each session, the subject was randomly assigned to cathodal, anodal or sham tsDCS. Each subject who completed the study received 2 cathodal, 2 anodal and 1 sham tsDCS session.
During Anodal tsDCS intervention the positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Cathodal tsDCS intervention the negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Sham tsDCS intervention, battery will be turned off and no current will pass through the electrodes.
EXPERIMENTAL: Sham, Then Anode, Then Anode, Then Cathode, Then Cathode tsDCS
5 tsDCS sessions were performed for each subject, with at least a 1 week washout period between tsDCS sessions. For each session, the subject was randomly assigned to cathodal, anodal or sham tsDCS. Each subject who completed the study received 2 cathodal, 2 anodal and 1 sham tsDCS session.
During Anodal tsDCS intervention the positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Cathodal tsDCS intervention the negative end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's back and positive end of the battery will be connected to the electrode on participant's shoulder. The battery will be turned on for 15 minutes, and the stimulation strength will be adjusted a couple of times per tolerance level.
During Sham tsDCS intervention, battery will be turned off and no current will pass through the electrodes.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Percent Change in Hmax
Time Frame: 10 minutes before intervention, 10 minutes after intervention
Immediately before application of tsDCS and after application of tsDCS, Hmax will be obtained from soleus muscle by stimulation of tibial nerve. The H-reflex is a compound muscle action potential elicited by low-threshold electrical stimulation of afferent fibers in the mixed nerve with subsequent monosynaptic excitation of alpha motoneurons. Changes in the excitability of the reflex pathway are estimated by measuring the amplitude of the reflex.
10 minutes before intervention, 10 minutes after intervention
Change in Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SSEP)
Time Frame: 30 to 40 minutes before intervention, 30 to 40 minutes after intervention
A somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) is the electrical activity response measured at the skin's surface along ascending sensory pathway following controlled peripheral nerve stimulation by tsDCS. For recording posterior tibial nerve SSEPs, the nerve is stimulated at the ankle, with the cathode midway between the Achilles tendon and the medial malleolus and the anode 3 cm distal to the cathode. Nerve stimulation should consist of a 0.1-0.2 ms duration square wave pulse at 3-5 Hertz (Hz). These pulses will be delivered by constant voltage stimulator applied transcutaneously over the targeted nerve. The stimulation intensity would exceed the motor threshold for eliciting a muscle twitch. Electromyogram (EMG)/ Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) measuring system will be used to measure SSEPs.
30 to 40 minutes before intervention, 30 to 40 minutes after intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change Systolic Blood Pressure
Time Frame: 60 to 90 minutes before intervention, 60 to 90 minutes after intervention
Systolic Blood pressure will be recorded before and after each tsDCS session.
60 to 90 minutes before intervention, 60 to 90 minutes after intervention
Change in Diastolic Blood Pressure
Time Frame: 60 to 90 minutes before intervention,60 to 90 minutes after intervention ( for each intervention)
Diastolic Blood pressure will be recorded before and after delivering each intervention
60 to 90 minutes before intervention,60 to 90 minutes after intervention ( for each intervention)
Change in Heart Rate
Time Frame: 60 to 90 minutes before intervention,60 to 90 minutes after intervention ( for each intervention)
Heart rate will be recorded before and after delivering each intervention
60 to 90 minutes before intervention,60 to 90 minutes after intervention ( for each intervention)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Collaborators

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Radha Korupolu, MD, The University of Texas Health Science Center

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (ACTUAL)

August 11, 2017

Primary Completion (ACTUAL)

October 26, 2018

Study Completion (ACTUAL)

October 26, 2018

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 2, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 9, 2017

First Posted (ACTUAL)

August 15, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (ACTUAL)

February 13, 2020

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 27, 2020

Last Verified

January 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • HSC-MS-17-0166

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

Yes

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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