Combined TMS-tSCS for Lower Limb Rehabilitation in Chronic Incomplete SCI
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.
調査の概要
状態
条件
詳細な説明
研究の種類
入学 (推定)
段階
- 適用できない
連絡先と場所
研究連絡先
- 名前:Gobinathan Chandran, MBBS
- 電話番号:+65 94575924
- メール:Gobinathan_CHANDRAN@nuhs.edu.sg
研究連絡先のバックアップ
- 名前:Tang Ning, PhD
- メール:ning_tang@nuhs.edu.sg
研究場所
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-
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Singapore、シンガポール
- Alexandra Hospital/ National University Hospital, Singapore
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コンタクト:
- Gobinathan Chandran, MBBS
- 電話番号:+65 94575924
- メール:Gobinathan_CHANDRAN@nuhs.edu.sg
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-
参加基準
適格基準
就学可能な年齢
- 大人
- 高齢者
健康ボランティアの受け入れ
説明
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
研究計画
研究はどのように設計されていますか?
デザインの詳細
- 主な目的:処理
- 割り当て:ランダム化
- 介入モデル:並列代入
- マスキング:独身
武器と介入
参加者グループ / アーム |
介入・治療 |
|---|---|
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実験的: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.
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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.
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.
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アクティブコンパレータ: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.
|
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.
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この研究は何を測定していますか?
主要な結果の測定
結果測定 |
メジャーの説明 |
時間枠 |
|---|---|---|
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Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS)
時間枠:Week 0
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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
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Week 0
|
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Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS)
時間枠: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)
時間枠: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)
時間枠: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
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Week 20
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二次結果の測定
結果測定 |
メジャーの説明 |
時間枠 |
|---|---|---|
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10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
時間枠:Week 0
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Assess walking speed over a 10-meter distance at both comfortable and maximum speeds, with excellent reliability (ICC > 0.95) established for SCI populations.
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Week 0
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10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
時間枠:Week 8
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Assess walking speed over a 10-meter distance at both comfortable and maximum speeds, with excellent reliability (ICC > 0.95) established for SCI populations.
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Week 8
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10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
時間枠:Week 16
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Assess walking speed over a 10-meter distance at both comfortable and maximum speeds, with excellent reliability (ICC > 0.95) established for SCI populations.
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Week 16
|
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6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
時間枠:Week 0
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6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) will measure walking endurance as the total distance walked in 6 minutes on a standardized course.
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Week 0
|
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6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
時間枠:Week 8
|
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) will measure walking endurance as the total distance walked in 6 minutes on a standardized course.
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Week 8
|
|
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
時間枠: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
|
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6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
時間枠:Week 20
|
6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) will measure walking endurance as the total distance walked in 6 minutes on a standardized course.
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Week 20
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Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III)
時間枠:Week 0
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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
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Week 0
|
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Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III)
時間枠: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
|
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Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III)
時間枠: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)
時間枠: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
|
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Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
時間枠:Week 0
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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).
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Week 0
|
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Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
時間枠:Week 8
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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)
時間枠: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)
時間枠: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)
時間枠: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)
時間枠: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)
時間枠: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)
時間枠: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)
時間枠: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)
時間枠:Week 0
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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.
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Week 0
|
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Root-Mean-Square (RMS) of Electromyography (EMG)
時間枠: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)
時間枠: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)
時間枠: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
|
協力者と研究者
捜査官
- 主任研究者:Gobinathan Chandran, MBBS、NUH
研究記録日
主要日程の研究
研究開始 (推定)
一次修了 (推定)
研究の完了 (推定)
試験登録日
最初に提出
QC基準を満たした最初の提出物
最初の投稿 (実際)
学習記録の更新
投稿された最後の更新 (実際)
QC基準を満たした最後の更新が送信されました
最終確認日
詳しくは
本研究に関する用語
その他の研究ID番号
- 1773917
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個々の参加者データ (IPD) を共有する予定はありますか?
IPD プランの説明
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