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Combined TMS-tSCS for Lower Limb Rehabilitation in Chronic Incomplete SCI

12. května 2026 aktualizováno: National University Hospital, Singapore

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Combined TMS-tSCS Neuromodulation Versus tSCS Alone Lower Limb Rehabilitation in Chronic Incomplete SCI

he goal of this clinical trial is to learn if combined brain and spinal cord stimulation using TMS-tSCS can improve leg strength and walking recovery in adults with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does combined TMS-tSCS improve lower limb motor function more than tSCS alone? Is combined TMS-tSCS safe and does it improve walking speed, independence, muscle activity, spasticity, and nerve pathway function?

Researchers will compare combined TMS-tSCS with tSCS alone with sham TMS to see if adding brain stimulation leads to better recovery than spinal stimulation alone.

Participants will:

Attend 32 treatment sessions over 16 weeks. Receive either combined TMS-tSCS or tSCS with sham TMS. Undergo assessments of leg strength, walking speed, daily function, muscle stiffness, muscle activity, and nerve pathway function before and after treatment.

Přehled studie

Postavení

Zatím nenabíráme

Podmínky

Intervence / Léčba

Detailní popis

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects 15.4 million people worldwide, with 30-40% of incomplete SCI patients remaining nonambulatory, highlighting the importance of gait recovery in rehabilitation. While transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive neuromodulation technique for enhancing motor recovery, the therapeutic potential of combining tSCS with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) remains largely unexplored. This combination may leverage the complementary mechanisms of supraspinal and spinal neuromodulation to enhance corticospinal tract plasticity and functional motor outcomes. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined TMS-tSCS intervention compared to tSCS alone for improving lower extremity motor function in individuals with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury. Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded clinical trial will enroll 60 participants with chronic (>12 months post-injury) incomplete spinal cord injury (AIS C or D) aged 18-65 years from Alexandra Hospital, Singapore. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive either combined TMS-tSCS (intervention group) or tSCS with sham TMS (control group) for 16 weeks (32 sessions). The primary outcome is change in Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS) from baseline to 16 weeks. Secondary outcomes include walking speed (10-Meter Walk Test), functional independence (Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale), electromyography of the lower limb muscles and neurophysiological measures of corticospinal excitability. Expected Outcomes: We hypothesize that combined TMS-tSCS will yield superior improvements in LEMS (≥2 points greater improvement) compared to tSCS alone, with enhanced corticospinal tract plasticity as evidenced by neurophysiological measures.

Typ studie

Intervenční

Zápis (Odhadovaný)

24

Fáze

  • Nelze použít

Kontakty a umístění

Tato část poskytuje kontaktní údaje pro ty, kteří studii provádějí, a informace o tom, kde se tato studie provádí.

Studijní kontakt

Studijní záloha kontaktů

Studijní místa

  • Singapur
      • Singapore, Singapur
        • Alexandra Hospital/ National University Hospital, Singapore
        • Kontakt:

Kritéria účasti

Výzkumníci hledají lidi, kteří odpovídají určitému popisu, kterému se říká kritéria způsobilosti. Některé příklady těchto kritérií jsou celkový zdravotní stav osoby nebo předchozí léčba.

Kritéria způsobilosti

Věk způsobilý ke studiu

  • Dospělý
  • Starší dospělý

Přijímá zdravé dobrovolníky

Ne

Popis

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age 18-65 years at enrolment
  • Chronic traumatic spinal cord injury, defined as ≥12 months post-injury
  • Incomplete spinal cord injury, AIS grade C or D
  • Neurological level of injury from C2 to L1
  • Baseline Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS) >10 points
  • Medically stable
  • Able to provide informed consent
  • Able to commit to the full study duration
  • Able to attempt the 10-Meter Walk Test and 6-Minute Walk Test, with or - without assistive devices and standby assistance

Exclusion Criteria

  • History of seizures or epilepsy
  • Implanted electronic devices, such as: Pacemaker, Cochlear implant, Deep brain stimulator, Spinal cord stimulator, Metallic implants in the head or spine
  • Pregnancy or planned pregnancy
  • Active psychiatric disorder or cognitive impairment
  • Concomitant neurological conditions, such as: Stroke, Traumatic brain injury and Neuropathy
  • Skin breakdown at electrode sites
  • Current participation in another clinical trial
  • History of skull surgery or craniotomy
  • Use of medications that alter cortical excitability within the past 2 weeks

Studijní plán

Tato část poskytuje podrobnosti o studijním plánu, včetně toho, jak je studie navržena a co studie měří.

Jak je studie koncipována?

Detaily designu

  • Primární účel: Léčba
  • Přidělení: Randomizované
  • Intervenční model: Paralelní přiřazení
  • Maskování: Singl

Zbraně a zásahy

Skupina účastníků / Arm
Intervence / Léčba
Experimentální: iTBS combined with tSCS plus standardized lower limb rehabilitation
Interventions are delivered twice weekly for 16 weeks (32 sessions): iTBS over M1 followed by combined tSCS plus lower limb rehabilitation (45-60 min). tSCS uses a constant-current stimulator with 5×10 cm electrodes at placed at one level above and below the site of the spinal cord injury, with reference electrodes over the ASIS or clavicles. Parameters: biphasic pulses at 30 Hz, 1 ms pulses with 10 kHz carrier frequency, intensity 40-120 mA, delivered continuously for ~45 minutes.The iTBS protocol consists of bursts of 3 pulses at 50 Hz, repeated at 5 Hz (200 ms between bursts), delivered in 2-second trains with 8-second inter-train intervals. Each session will deliver 600 pulses total. The stimulation target will be the leg motor area of the primary motor cortex, identified using established anatomical landmarks and confirmed by eliciting motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in lower extremity muscles. Lower limb rehabilitation follows immediately, supervised by a physiotherapist.
Přístroj: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that enhances cortical excitability and corticospinal drive. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a brief patterned form of rTMS, produces lasting facilitatory effects and is more time-efficient. Evidence indicates rTMS improves motor function, reduces spasticity, and enhances neuroplasticity in SCI.
Přístroj: Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that delivers electrical stimulation over the spine to activate sensory afferents and enhance spinal motor circuit excitability. Early studies showed it can enable voluntary movement even in motor-complete spinal cord injury (SCI), with subsequent research demonstrating improvements in motor function, standing, and walking in incomplete SCI. Evidence suggests tSCS modulates both spinal and corticospinal pathways, supporting neuroplasticity. The Up-LIFT trial (2024) provided strong clinical evidence, showing that tSCS combined with rehabilitation significantly improved upper limb strength and function in chronic cervical SCI, with 72% of participants meeting effectiveness endpoints and no serious adverse events. Later studies confirmed its safety in home and community settings, though standardization and larger trials remain needed.
Aktivní komparátor: tSCS plus standardized lower limb rehabilitation only
tSCS uses a constant-current stimulator with 5×10 cm electrodes at placed at one level above and below the site of the spinal cord injury, with reference electrodes over the ASIS or clavicles. Parameters: biphasic pulses at 30 Hz, 1 ms pulses with 10 kHz carrier frequency, intensity 40-120 mA, delivered continuously for ~45 minutes. Lower limb rehabilitation follows immediately, supervised by a physiotherapist.
Přístroj: Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that delivers electrical stimulation over the spine to activate sensory afferents and enhance spinal motor circuit excitability. Early studies showed it can enable voluntary movement even in motor-complete spinal cord injury (SCI), with subsequent research demonstrating improvements in motor function, standing, and walking in incomplete SCI. Evidence suggests tSCS modulates both spinal and corticospinal pathways, supporting neuroplasticity. The Up-LIFT trial (2024) provided strong clinical evidence, showing that tSCS combined with rehabilitation significantly improved upper limb strength and function in chronic cervical SCI, with 72% of participants meeting effectiveness endpoints and no serious adverse events. Later studies confirmed its safety in home and community settings, though standardization and larger trials remain needed.

Co je měření studie?

Primární výstupní opatření

Měření výsledku
Popis opatření
Časové okno
Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS)
Časové okno: Week 0
Description: The LEMS is a component of the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI), representing the summed strength of five key muscle groups in each lower extremity (hip flexors, knee extensors, ankle dorsiflexors, great toe extensors, and ankle plantarflexors), graded on a 0-5 scale for each muscle group. The total LEMS ranges from 0 to 50 points, with higher scores indicating greater motor strength
Week 0
Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS)
Časové okno: Week 8
The LEMS is a component of the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI), representing the summed strength of five key muscle groups in each lower extremity (hip flexors, knee extensors, ankle dorsiflexors, great toe extensors, and ankle plantarflexors), graded on a 0-5 scale for each muscle group. The total LEMS ranges from 0 to 50 points, with higher scores indicating greater motor strength
Week 8
Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS)
Časové okno: Week 16
Description: The LEMS is a component of the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI), representing the summed strength of five key muscle groups in each lower extremity (hip flexors, knee extensors, ankle dorsiflexors, great toe extensors, and ankle plantarflexors), graded on a 0-5 scale for each muscle group. The total LEMS ranges from 0 to 50 points, with higher scores indicating greater motor strength
Week 16
Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS)
Časové okno: Week 20
Description: The LEMS is a component of the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI), representing the summed strength of five key muscle groups in each lower extremity (hip flexors, knee extensors, ankle dorsiflexors, great toe extensors, and ankle plantarflexors), graded on a 0-5 scale for each muscle group. The total LEMS ranges from 0 to 50 points, with higher scores indicating greater motor strength
Week 20

Sekundární výstupní opatření

Měření výsledku
Popis opatření
Časové okno
10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
Časové okno: Week 0
Assess walking speed over a 10-meter distance at both comfortable and maximum speeds, with excellent reliability (ICC > 0.95) established for SCI populations.
Week 0
10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
Časové okno: Week 8
Assess walking speed over a 10-meter distance at both comfortable and maximum speeds, with excellent reliability (ICC > 0.95) established for SCI populations.
Week 8
10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
Časové okno: Week 16
Assess walking speed over a 10-meter distance at both comfortable and maximum speeds, with excellent reliability (ICC > 0.95) established for SCI populations.
Week 16
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
Časové okno: Week 0
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) will measure walking endurance as the total distance walked in 6 minutes on a standardized course.
Week 0
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
Časové okno: Week 8
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) will measure walking endurance as the total distance walked in 6 minutes on a standardized course.
Week 8
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
Časové okno: Week 16
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) will measure walking endurance as the total distance walked in 6 minutes on a standardized course.
Week 16
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
Časové okno: Week 20
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) will measure walking endurance as the total distance walked in 6 minutes on a standardized course.
Week 20
Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III)
Časové okno: Week 0
Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III) is a disability scale specifically developed for persons with SCI, assessing self-care (0- 20 points), respiration and sphincter management (0-40 points), and mobility (0-40 points). The total score ranges from 0-100, with higher scores indicating greater independence
Week 0
Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III)
Časové okno: Week 8
Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III) is a disability scale specifically developed for persons with SCI, assessing self-care (0- 20 points), respiration and sphincter management (0-40 points), and mobility (0-40 points). The total score ranges from 0-100, with higher scores indicating greater independence
Week 8
Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III)
Časové okno: Week 16
Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III) is a disability scale specifically developed for persons with SCI, assessing self-care (0- 20 points), respiration and sphincter management (0-40 points), and mobility (0-40 points). The total score ranges from 0-100, with higher scores indicating greater independence
Week 16
Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III)
Časové okno: Week 20
Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III) is a disability scale specifically developed for persons with SCI, assessing self-care (0- 20 points), respiration and sphincter management (0-40 points), and mobility (0-40 points). The total score ranges from 0-100, with higher scores indicating greater independence
Week 20
Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
Časové okno: Week 0
Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) will be used to assess spasticity in bilateral hip flexors, knee extensors, and ankle plantarflexors, graded from 0 (no increase in tone) to 4 (limb rigid in flexion or extension).
Week 0
Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
Časové okno: Week 8
Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) will be used to assess spasticity in bilateral hip flexors, knee extensors, and ankle plantarflexors, graded from 0 (no increase in tone) to 4 (limb rigid in flexion or extension).
Week 8
Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
Časové okno: Week 16
Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) will be used to assess spasticity in bilateral hip flexors, knee extensors, and ankle plantarflexors, graded from 0 (no increase in tone) to 4 (limb rigid in flexion or extension).
Week 16
Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
Časové okno: Week 20
Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) will be used to assess spasticity in bilateral hip flexors, knee extensors, and ankle plantarflexors, graded from 0 (no increase in tone) to 4 (limb rigid in flexion or extension).
Week 20
10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
Časové okno: Week 20
Assess walking speed over a 10-meter distance at both comfortable and maximum speeds, with excellent reliability (ICC > 0.95) established for SCI populations.
Week 20
Peak-to-peak amplitude of motor evoked potential (MEP)
Časové okno: Week 0
Measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Amplitude, latency, resting and active motor thresholds from FDI and APB will be recorded. The bigger value of peak-to peak amplitude of MEP indicates better outcome
Week 0
Peak-to-peak amplitude of motor evoked potential (MEP)
Časové okno: Week 8
Measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Amplitude, latency, resting and active motor thresholds from FDI and APB will be recorded. The bigger value of peak-to peak amplitude of MEP indicates better outcome
Week 8
Peak-to-peak amplitude of motor evoked potential (MEP)
Časové okno: Week 16
Measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Amplitude, latency, resting and active motor thresholds from FDI and APB will be recorded. The bigger value of peak-to peak amplitude of MEP indicates better outcome
Week 16
Peak-to-peak amplitude of motor evoked potential (MEP)
Časové okno: Week 20
Measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Amplitude, latency, resting and active motor thresholds from FDI and APB will be recorded. The bigger value of peak-to peak amplitude of MEP indicates better outcome
Week 20
Root-Mean-Square (RMS) of Electromyography (EMG)
Časové okno: Week 0
Surface electromyography (EMG) will be recorded bilaterally from the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris muscles. EMG signals will be recorded during resting state for 10s and isometric muscle contraction for 5s. Normalized EMG RMS will be calculated accordingly. Higher normalized EMG RMS during isometric muscle contraction indicates more muscle engagement.
Week 0
Root-Mean-Square (RMS) of Electromyography (EMG)
Časové okno: Week 8
Surface electromyography (EMG) will be recorded bilaterally from the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris muscles. EMG signals will be recorded during resting state for 10s and isometric muscle contraction for 5s. Normalized EMG RMS will be calculated accordingly. Higher normalized EMG RMS during isometric muscle contraction indicates more muscle engagement.
Week 8
Root-Mean-Square (RMS) of Electromyography (EMG)
Časové okno: Week 16
Surface electromyography (EMG) will be recorded bilaterally from the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris muscles. EMG signals will be recorded during resting state for 10s and isometric muscle contraction for 5s. Normalized EMG RMS will be calculated accordingly. Higher normalized EMG RMS during isometric muscle contraction indicates more muscle engagement.
Week 16
Root-Mean-Square (RMS) of Electromyography (EMG)
Časové okno: Week 20
Surface electromyography (EMG) will be recorded bilaterally from the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris muscles. EMG signals will be recorded during resting state for 10s and isometric muscle contraction for 5s. Normalized EMG RMS will be calculated accordingly. Higher normalized EMG RMS during isometric muscle contraction indicates more muscle engagement.
Week 20

Spolupracovníci a vyšetřovatelé

Zde najdete lidi a organizace zapojené do této studie.

Sponzor

National University Hospital, Singapore

Vyšetřovatelé

  • Vrchní vyšetřovatel: Gobinathan Chandran, MBBS, NUH

Termíny studijních záznamů

Tato data sledují průběh záznamů studie a předkládání souhrnných výsledků na ClinicalTrials.gov. Záznamy ze studií a hlášené výsledky jsou před zveřejněním na veřejné webové stránce přezkoumány Národní lékařskou knihovnou (NLM), aby se ujistily, že splňují specifické standardy kontroly kvality.

Hlavní termíny studia

Začátek studia (Odhadovaný)

1. ledna 2027

Primární dokončení (Odhadovaný)

30. prosince 2027

Dokončení studie (Odhadovaný)

1. března 2028

Termíny zápisu do studia

První předloženo

12. května 2026

První předloženo, které splnilo kritéria kontroly kvality

12. května 2026

První zveřejněno (Aktuální)

19. května 2026

Aktualizace studijních záznamů

Poslední zveřejněná aktualizace (Aktuální)

19. května 2026

Odeslaná poslední aktualizace, která splnila kritéria kontroly kvality

12. května 2026

Naposledy ověřeno

1. května 2026

Více informací

Termíny související s touto studií

Klíčová slova

Další relevantní podmínky MeSH

Další identifikační čísla studie

  • 1773917

Plán pro data jednotlivých účastníků (IPD)

Plánujete sdílet data jednotlivých účastníků (IPD)?

NE

Popis plánu IPD

According to institution research polices, research agreement needs to be signed before sharing individual data with external parties.

Informace o lécích a zařízeních, studijní dokumenty

Studuje lékový produkt regulovaný americkým FDA

Ne

Studuje produkt zařízení regulovaný americkým úřadem FDA

Ano

produkt vyrobený a vyvážený z USA

Ano

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