The Effect of Exoskeletal-assisted Walking Combined With Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation o… (NCT07325149) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
The Effect of Exoskeletal-assisted Walking Combined With Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation on Bone Strength.
United States24 participantsStarted 2026-07-01
Plain-language summary
Immobilization following spinal cord injury (SCI) results in muscle and bone loss below the level of injury, which ultimately predisposes to fracture at several sites throughout the legs and can lead to several medical complications that can devastate quality of life. There is a scarcity of research that has successfully implemented rehabilitation and/or exercise training interventions to preserve the musculoskeletal system during the acute phase SCI, or possibly reverse the muscle and bone loss that has already occurred in chronic SCI. This study will compare the effect of exoskeleton-assisted walking (EAW) training combined with transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) (EAW + active tSCS), to that of EAW + sham tSCS, on measures of muscle and bone health in a cohort of chronically injured motor incomplete SCI. A successful outcome would expand treatment options to improve musculoskeletal health over the lifetime.
Who can participate
Age range
21 Years – 60 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
. Medical history and exam to ensure medical health, anthropometric compatibility for EAW, and to identify fragility or traumatic fractures, unhealed fractures, and signs of swelling, bruising, and discoloration of the legs.
. Between the ages of 21-60 years old
. Non-walkers with an SCI greater than 3 years post injury.
. As measured by a member of the study staff, participants who have a lower extremity motor score greater or equal to 16 on the INSCSCI exam with an impairment grade of C or D.
. Neurologic level of injury as determined by study staff between C5-T10 (completed at participant's screening).
. Capable of gripping Lofstrand crutches and/or a walker without assistance.
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
Muscle cross sectional area of the mid-thigh
Timeframe: Obtained prior to starting the study at enrollment (baseline) and again after 9 months of participating in the study interventions.