Spinal Cord Stimulation Combined With Physical Therapy in Post-Stroke Upper-Limb Motor Hemiparesis (NCT07153536) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Spinal Cord Stimulation Combined With Physical Therapy in Post-Stroke Upper-Limb Motor Hemiparesis
United States20 participantsStarted 2026-01-06
Plain-language summary
This study plans to use systems that have been developed by Medtronic to investigate the use of cervical spinal cord stimulation to treat adults with upper limb hemiparesis resulting from a stroke. The spinal cord stimulation (SCS) will be combined with physical training to improve arm and hand motor control. The study is divided into three phases. In the first phase, after baseline assessments, participants will undergo a Physical Training Protocol (PTP) for 6 weeks including 3 sessions of 90 mins/session per week. After receiving the Medtronic implantable system, in Phase 2, they will then repeat the same PTP program in combination with spinal cord stimulation during the entirety of each of the rehabilitation sessions. Finally, in Phase 3, participants will go home, will not be able to use the stimulation at home but will participate in monthly assessments in the laboratory in which the functionality of the Medtronic system and their motor performances will be assessed for up to 6 months.
Who can participate
Age range
22 Years – 70 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.
Exclusion criteria
. Age 22 to 70 years old
. Upper extremity motor score higher than 20 and lower than or equal to 45 on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scale
. FMA upper extremity sensory score higher than 6 points (out of 12 points)
. The ability to communicate, understand, give appropriate consent and follow two-step commands
. Presence of any serious disease or disorder (ex. Neurological conditions other than stroke, cancer, severe cardiac or respiratory disease, renal failure, etc.) that could affect their ability to participate in this study
. Considered to be at high-risk of recurrent stroke as evident from their medical history or upon judgment of the study physician
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
1
Number and Severity of Adverse Events
Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 49 weeks
. Presence of post-stroke central pain, other forms of pain or other constraints such as joint contractures in the paretic arm that are serious enough to prevent or affect the correct execution of the physical training protocol as judged by the study therapist
. A score on the Short Blessed Test assessment scale lower than 9