Locomotor recovery is one of the most important goals of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Ambulatory deficits severely impact daily functions resulting in lower quality of life for people living with paralysis due to SCI. Although studies have shown that locomotor training improves locomotor function in people with chronic SCI, the benefits remain limited. Our overall hypothesis is that we can engage additional descending motor pathways, such as the reticulospinal tract (RST), to improve locomotor function in humans with chronic incomplete SCI.
In this study we propose to test the effects of a novel intervention that uses repeated paired loud auditory and electrical stimulation of muscle afferents combined with locomotor training on walking speed and voluntary muscle strength.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 75 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:
* History of traumatic or non-traumatic SCI ≥ 6 months
* International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) level at and above T10.
* American Spinal Injury Association AIS Grade C, or D
* Weakness in ankle dorsiflexors (LEMS\<=3) with the ability to perform a small voluntary ankle dorsiflexion (as detected by presence of voluntary EMG activity in the tibialis anterior) with at least one leg.
* Ability to tolerate standing position.
* Ability to walk at a minimum speed of 0.1 mile/hour on a treadmill with less than 70% body weight support.
* Requires use of assistive devices (KAFO, AFO, cane, walker) or body weight support for ambulation.
* Ability to complete the 10-Meter Walk Test.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Preceding uncontrolled medical conditions including pulmonary, cardiovascular or orthopedic disease that interfere with physical performance.
* Intolerance to physical activity.
* Severe cognitive impairment that precludes the ability to participate in any of the study procedures or give verbal consent.
* Any illness or condition that based on the research team's assessment, will compromise with the patient's ability to comply with the protocol, patient safety, or the validity of the data collected during the study.
* History of stroke resulting in sensory motor deficits.
* Pregnant women.
* Participation in a high-intensity locomotor training program in the last 6 months.
* Inability to detect somatosensory evoked …
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.