Researchers* from NeuRA’s Spinal Cord Injury Research Centre are investigating whether a single session of transcutaneous spinal stimulation combined with exercises can improve neural and muscle activity in people with cervical spinal cord injury.

What:

30 minutes of non-invasive neurostimulation combined with exercises with muscle response testing via electrical stimulation over the spine and nerves in the arm and maximal strength testing

Who:

People with chronic cervical spinal cord injury who can minimally to moderately move one index finger (see full list of selection criteria below)

How:

2 sessions lasting 3 hours each; with compensation of $25/​h.

Why:

To help understand the effect of surface spinal stimulation on voluntary muscle activity, both during and immediately after stimulation.

Where:

Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Spinal Cord Injury Research Center (SCIRC), Randwick, Sydney

*Our research team includes an Advisory Group of members with lived experience of spinal cord injury

Full list of selection criteria for participants with spinal cord injury

Before you decide to participate in this research study, we need to ensure that it is safe and suitable for you to take part. The research study is looking to recruit people who meet the following criteria:

• aged 18 years or older 
• diagnosed at least one year ago with a cervical spinal cord injury
• able to breathe independently
• able to minimally to moderately move one index finger
• willing and able to participate in 2 experimental sessions of approximately 3 hours at Neuroscience Research Australia (near Prince of Wales Hospital) on two different weeks 

Participants who meet the following criteria will be excluded from the study:

• have a history of clinically significant autonomic dysreflexia in response to electrical stimulation 
• a progressive neurological disease or other major neurological condition other than the spinal cord injury (e.g., severe traumatic brain injury or stroke) 
• open surgery within the last 3 months 
• syrinx (fluid-filled cyst or cavity in spinal cord) on recent MRI 
• severe upper limb spasticity or contractures 
• any serious medical condition, cognitive impairment (i.e. trouble remembering or learning), drug dependency, psychiatric illness or behavioural problem preventing you from adhering to the protocol 
• cardiac pacemaker or pregnancy 
• currently taking part, or in the follow-up period, of any other clinical trial 

Participation

Contact: Janie Provencher

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Phone number (02) 9399 – 1033