RecruitingNot Applicable

Spine and Brain Stimulation for Movement Recovery After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

United States20 participantsStarted 2026-01-15

Plain-language summary

Stimulation of the spinal cord and brain represents a new experimental therapy that may have potential to restore movement after spinal cord injury. While some scientists have begun to study the effect of electrical stimulation on patient's ability to walk and move their legs after lower spinal cord injury, the use of stimulation of the upper (cervical) spine to restore arm and hand function after cervical spinal cord injury remains less well explored. The investigators are doing this research study to improve understanding of whether cervical spinal cord stimulation and brain stimulation can be used to improve arm and hand function. To do this, the investigators will combine spine stimulation (in the form of electrical stimulation from electrical stimulation wires temporarily implanted next to the cervical spinal cord) and brain stimulation (in the form of transcranial magnetic stimulation). The investigators will perform a series of experiments over 29 days to study whether these forms of stimulation can be applied and combined to provide improvement in arm and hand function.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged ≥18 years with incomplete traumatic SCI (American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) B-D, levels between C4 to T1) incurred \> 1 year before the start of the study * At least 2/5 motor power in at least one upper extremity muscle group * International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury Upper Extremity Motor Score (ISNCSCI-UEMS) ≤ 40/50 * Able to follow multistep commands * Ability and willingness to provide informed consent * English speaking Exclusion Criteria: * Cervical or thoracic stenosis that would preclude safe lead placement * Any ongoing ventilator use (continuous or intermittent) * Urinary tract infection or pneumonia requiring treatment (within past 3 months) * Skin ulcers or other lesions * History of posterior cervical fusion * Autonomic dysreflexia requiring treatment (within past 3 months) * Implanted brain stimulators * Intracranial aneurysm clips * Ferromagnetic metallic implants in the head (except for within mouth) * Any active implanted device including intrathecal medication pumps or existing spinal cord stimulators (does not include non-active spinal instrumentation such as rods, screws, or interbody devices) * Cochlear implants * Cardiac pacemaker/defibrillator * Any history of seizures * Family history of idiopathic epilepsy in a first degree relative * Bipolar disorder * Any history of suicide attempt * Active psychosis * Intracranial lesion or increased intracranial pressure * History …

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Serious adverse events related to the study device

Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of follow up at 30 weeks

Cessation of spinal cord stimulation or brain stimulation due to participant request

Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of follow up at 30 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06867809

SponsorJason Carmel

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-10-31

Contact for this trial

Evan F. Joiner, MD

212-305-2700 efj2107@cumc.columbia.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Spinal Cord Injury trials