Spinal Cord Stimulation for Autonomic Recovery in Inpatient Rehabilitation After Acute SCI

This study is a randomized, single-blind, two-arm sham-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) over the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spinal cord segments for cardiovascular function in adults (21-65 years old) with cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) (≥T6) AIS A-D during inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient visits within three months after the onset. We will recruit 26 individuals with SCI, admitted to inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) or after discharged from IRFs. We will also examine the effect of tSCS on lower urinary tract (LUT) and bowel functions as secondary outcomes.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

1. Assess the safety of single and repeated tSCS session(s) on cardiovascular function in the acute SCI: We will test the safety of single tSCS at T10-L2 session at rest and during orthostatic challenge (i.e., situ-up tests) at the baseline and the effect of five tSCS sessions on cardiovascular function in individuals with SCI ≥ T6.
2. Assess the effect of long-term tSCS on autonomic function in the subacute SCI phase: We will investigate the efficacy of long-term (total 18 sessions) tSCS on cardiovascular and pelvic organ functions.
3. Evaluate the sustained effect of tSCS on autonomic recovery six months after the onset of SCI: We will assess the sustained effect of repeated tSCS sessions (18 sessions) on cardiovascular and pelvic organ functions at 6-month post-SCI.

Participants will:

• Receive either transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation or "sham" spinal cord stimulation while inpatient in the first 8 weeks (Part A).
• Those willing and able to come after discharge or after the 8 weeks will be asked to come back and complete additional tSCS for a total of 18 weeks (Part B), with a follow-up period of 6 months. All participants will receive tSCS during this outpatient follow-up portion of the study.
• During assessment visits the researchers will perform a variety of exams including a neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, bladder and bowel, physical, and autonomic exam, and will ask questions about quality of life and functioning. Participants will be asked to complete a test of how well their bowels are functioning (colonic transit test) and an abdominal X-Ray.

Researchers will compare those who receive tSCS to those who receive sham stimulation to see if tSCS is an effective treatment for improving the body's autonomic functioning following recent-onset SCI.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Spinal Cord Injuries
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation; Device: Sham Stimulation

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 26
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Soshi Samejima, DPT, PhD; Phone Number: 2066160462; Email: soshis@uw.edu
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Katie Singsank, BA; Email: singsank@uw.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • Washington
    • Seattle, Washington, United States, 98195
      • Recruiting
      • University of Washington
      • Contact: Soshi Samejima, DPT, PhD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Are between 21-65 years of age.
2. SCI (non-progressive) at or above the T6 spinal segment.
3. Admitted to inpatient rehabilitation units or discharged from inpatient rehabilitation units but within 4 months since the onset on injury.
4. American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) A-D for SCI.
5. Have stable medical condition that would permit participation in testing activities.
6. Willing and able to comply with all clinic visits and study-related procedures.
7. Able to understand and complete study-related questionnaires in English.
8. Have no painful musculoskeletal dysfunction, unhealed fracture, pressure sore, or active infection that may interfere with testing.
9. Are not currently pregnant or not intending to become pregnant during participation in this study.
10. Are volunteering to be involved in this study.
11. Must provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Have autoimmune etiology of spinal cord dysfunction/injury
2. Have history of additional neurologic disease, such as stroke, MS, etc.
3. Have rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc.)
4. Are ventilator dependent.
5. Have clinically significant, unmanaged, depression, ongoing alcohol and/or drug abuse.
6. Use any medication or treatment that in the opinion of the investigators indicates that it is not in the best interest of the participant to participate in this study.
7. Have Intrathecal baclofen pump.
8. Have cardiovascular, respiratory, bladder, or renal disease unrelated to SCI or presence of hydronephrosis or presence of obstructive renal stones.
9. Have severe acute medical issue that in the investigators' judgement would adversely affect the participant's participation in the study. Examples include, but are not limited to acute urinary tract infections, pressure sores, or unstable diabetes.
10. Have pacemakers, stimulators, medication pumps in the trunk, deep brain stimulators, metallic devices in the head such as aneurysm clips/coils and stents, vagus nerve stimulators.
11. Are a member of the investigational team or his/her immediate family.
12. Have history of severe allergy (i.e. allergic reaction that could not be treated with antihistaminic medication)
13. Have malabsorption syndrome, primary hyperthyroidism, and/or hypogonadism.
14. Have a history of seizures.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation; Device: Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation Non-invasive electrical stimulation of the spinal cord over the skin. A portable tSCS device, SCONE or TESCoN (SpineX Inc., USA), whichever available, will be used to deliver 1ms pulses with 10kHz carrier frequency at 30 Hz, which has demonstrated autonomic recovery in our previous studies. The location of tSCS is predetermined (at T10 and T11 vertebral levels). The stimulation intensity will range from 10 to 200 mA	Device: Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation; Non-invasive electrical stimulation of the spinal cord over the skin. A portable tSCS device, SCONE or TESCoN (SpineX Inc., USA), whichever available, will be used to deliver 1ms pulses with 10kHz carrier frequency at 30 Hz, which has demonstrated autonomic recovery in our previous studies. The location of tSCS is predetermined (at T10 and T11 vertebral levels). The stimulation intensity will range from 10 to 200 mA and specific criteria will be followed to determine the optimal therapeutic stimulation.; Other Names: tSCS
Sham Comparator: Sham stimulation; Device: Sham Stimulation Non-invasive electrical stimulation of a lower extremity muscle group over the skin. The intensity of electrical stimulation will be briefly ramped up to a level at which the participants report perceiving the stimulation (i.e., sensory threshold), then ramped down and turned off for the remainder of the intervention.	Device: Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation; Non-invasive electrical stimulation of the spinal cord over the skin. A portable tSCS device, SCONE or TESCoN (SpineX Inc., USA), whichever available, will be used to deliver 1ms pulses with 10kHz carrier frequency at 30 Hz, which has demonstrated autonomic recovery in our previous studies. The location of tSCS is predetermined (at T10 and T11 vertebral levels). The stimulation intensity will range from 10 to 200 mA and specific criteria will be followed to determine the optimal therapeutic stimulation.; Other Names: tSCS; Device: Sham Stimulation; Non-invasive electrical stimulation of a lower extremity muscle group over the skin. A portable tSCS device, SCONE or TESCoN (SpineX Inc., USA), whichever available, will be used to deliver sham stimulation. The intensity of electrical stimulation will be briefly ramped up to a level at which the participants report perceiving the stimulation (i.e., sensory threshold), then ramped down and turned off for the remainder of the intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in systolic Blood Pressure (BP)	Continuous beat-by-beat BP will be measured using a finger photoplethysmography. This will be done throughout the study, including during orthostatic challenge using sit-up test.	Repeated measurements at baseline, post-intervention (at time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation), and 6 months post-spinal cord injury; assessed at these 3 timepoints over 6 months.
Heart Rate (HR) monitoring during tSCS	Electrocardiography (ECG) at resting and during sit-up test	Repeated measurements at baseline, post-intervention (at time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation), and 6 months post-spinal cord injury; assessed at these 3 timepoints over 6 months.
frequency and severity of uncontrolled BP episodes such as OH and autonomic dysreflexia (AD) in 24 hours.	24-hour BP monitoring obtained throughout the study using Finapres NOVA	Repeated measurements at baseline, post-intervention (at time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation), and 6 months post-spinal cord injury; assessed at these 3 timepoints over 6 months.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
International Standards to document remaining Autonomic Function after Spinal Cord Injury (ISAFSCI)	Scores for questions on the ISAFSCI range from 0 to 2, with 0 representing complete loss of control and 2 representing normal functioning. Lower scores equal worse health functioning.	Repeated measurements at baseline, post-intervention (at time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation), and 6 months post-spinal cord injury; assessed at these 3 timepoints over 6 months.
International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury	level and severity of damage to motor and sensory pathways will be determined by trained clinicians. Pin prick and light touch will be done by researchers on participant's left and right side. Check marks are given for each prick or touch that is felt by the participant, then tallied. Scores range from 0-56 for both the Left and Right side of the body, and 0-112 for the total score. High scores represent greater sensory functioning.	Repeated measurements at baseline, post-intervention (at time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation), and 6 months post-spinal cord injury; assessed at these 3 timepoints over 6 months.
Autonomic dysfunction following Spinal Cord Injury (ADFSCI) measure	The Autonomic Dysfunction following SCI (ADFSCI) measure will be used to assess severity and frequency of autonomic dysreflexia. Greater scores equal greater frequency of autonomic dysfunction, ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (very often) for each item.	Repeated measurements at baseline, post-intervention (at time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation), and 6 months post-spinal cord injury; assessed at these 3 timepoints over 6 months.
Numeric Pain Rating Scale	The Numeric Pain Rating Scale is a self-report measure, asking patients to circle a number on a scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain possible). Higher scores represent greater pain.	Repeated measurements at baseline, post-intervention (at time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation), and 6 months post-spinal cord injury; assessed at these 3 timepoints over 6 months.
International SCI Pain Basic Dataset	Standardized questionnaire for the collection and reporting of pain in the SCI population. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater pain interference and worse functioning.	Repeated measurements at baseline, post-intervention (at time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation), and 6 months post-spinal cord injury; assessed at these 3 timepoints over 6 months.
Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score	The Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score is a data collection form for measuring symptom burden of lower urinary tract functioning among those living with SCI. The Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score (NBSS) is a validated 24 item questionnaire that measures bladder symptoms across 3 different domains: incontinence (scored 0-29), storage and voiding (scored 0-22), and consequences (scored 0-23); there is a single general urinary QOL question scored from 0 (pleased) to 4 (unhappy) [6]. For all domains, a higher score represents a worse symptom burden or QOL.	Repeated measurements at baseline, post-intervention (at time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation), and 6 months post-spinal cord injury; assessed at these 3 timepoints over 6 months.
International SCI Lower Urinary Tract Function Basic Data Set (ISNCSCI)	The International SCI Lower Urinary Tract Function Dataset is a data collection form for the collection and reporting of lower urinary tract function in the SCI population. Participants are asked to mark either main or supplementary for type of bladder emptying, and then answer yes or no questions regarding type of appliances used to collect urinary incontinence, drugs with possible influence on urinary tract within the past 4 weeks, and any surgical procedures on the urinary tract. This data collection form does not use numbers and instead collects qualitative data only; there is no score range.	Repeated measurements at baseline, post-intervention (at time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation), and 6 months post-spinal cord injury; assessed at these 3 timepoints over 6 months.
International SCI Bowel Function Basic Data Set (ISCIBFDS)	Standardized data collection form for the collection and reporting of bowel function in the SCI population. The International SCI Bowel Function Dataset is a data collection instrument that asks participants qualitative questions which are assigned a score. Select items are then totaled to compute the Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction (NBD) score. Scores range from 0 to 14 or more, with higher scores indicating greater neurogenic bowel dysfunction.	Repeated measurements at baseline, post-intervention (at time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation), and 6 months post-spinal cord injury; assessed at these 3 timepoints over 6 months.
Colonic Transit Time	GI and colonic transit time will be assessed using radiopaque marker intake and an abdominal X-ray. Participants will take radiopaque markers for 6 days. On the 6th day, an abdominal X-ray will be taken. The movement of the radiopaque markers through the GI system will indicate colonic transit time, with slower transit time indicating possible neurogenic bowel.	Repeated measurements at baseline, post-intervention (at time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation), and 6 months post-spinal cord injury; assessed at these 3 timepoints over 6 months.
Changes in Lower Urinary Tract and Bowel Function	Maximum cystometric capacity measured via urodynamics. If appointments are available, participants will complete a urodynamic assessment in accordance with Good Urodynamic Practices recommended by the International Continence Society and international SCI Urodynamic data. Urodynamic assessments valuate how well the lower urinary tract, which includes the bladder, urethra, and sphincters, works to store and release urine. UDSs can help diagnose issues with the lower urinary tract and can show why there might be blockages or leaks. Abnormalities on the urodynamic assessment results may indicate neurogenic bladder.	Post-intervention (at time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation), and 6 months post-spinal cord injury; assessed at 2 timepoints over 6 months.
Frequency and Severity of Adverse Events	Serious Adverse Events and Adverse Events will be documented by study staff. For the purpose of this study, an adverse event (AE) is any untoward medical occurrence in a subject during participation in the clinical study or with use of the experimental agent being studied. An adverse finding can include a sign, symptom, abnormal assessment (vital signs, skin changes, neurological changes), or any combination of these. A serious adverse event (SAE) is any adverse event that results in one or more of the following outcomes: Death; A life-threatening event; Inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization; A persistent or significant disability/incapacity; A congenital anomaly or birth defect; An important medical event based upon appropriate medical judgment	Repeated measures at every study visit, over a period of 6 months.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Washington
• Collaborators: The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Soshi Samejima, DPT, PhD, University of Washington

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 27, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 2, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): August 6, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 27, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 24, 2025
• Last Verified: March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation; Inpatient Rehabilitation; Cardiovascular Recovery following SCI; Bladder and Bowel Recovery following SCI
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Wounds and Injuries; Trauma, Nervous System; Spinal Cord Diseases; Spinal Cord Injuries
• Other Study ID Numbers: STUDY00020243

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: Yes