NCT04015362

Brief Summary

Spasticity (tightening, spasming and/or contractions of muscles) is a commonly encountered consequence of injuries to the central nervous system. Spasticity has an adverse effect on quality of life and function of patients with spinal cord injuries, stroke and cerebral palsy. Conventional management consists of medication, injections of botulinum toxin and occasionally extensive surgical interventions. Several studies have examined the use of repetitive magnetic stimulation of the brain and of peripheral nerves to produce long-term depression of spasticity. Recently, Theta burst sequence low-dose magnetic stimulation has been shown to mark unused synaptic connections for deletion. By using pulsed magnetic stimulation of the spinal cord the abnormal connections arising from injury may be identified for deletion, therefore potentially minimising the mis-firing circuits. The investigators plan, in this pilot study, to test whether firstly the application of pulsed magnetic stimulation of the spinal cord is achievable in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and secondly whether it has an effect on lower limb spasticity. These results will be used to help design a larger trial, to expand the numbers of participants and variety of pathologies treated. Participants (in-patients at the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries) with stable SCI will be randomised to receive either intermittent pulsed magnetic stimulation or no stimulation. Patients will be blinded as to whether they are receiving stimulation (the machine will be active up and placed in the same position for both groups, except the sham group will have the stimulation coil applied in an orientation that does not deliver the magnetic field to the spinal cord).

Trial Health

43
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
30

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2018

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
unknown

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 2, 2018

Completed
1.3 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

April 26, 2019

Completed
3 months until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 11, 2019

Completed
3.3 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

October 31, 2022

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

October 31, 2022

Completed
Last Updated

February 1, 2022

Status Verified

January 1, 2022

Enrollment Period

4.8 years

First QC Date

April 26, 2019

Last Update Submit

January 31, 2022

Conditions

Keywords

Spasticity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

  • Modified Penn Spasticity scale

    A two-part patient self-reported measure assessing frequency and severity of muscle spasms. Part one asks the patient to describe the intensity and frequency of muscle spasms in the previous 24 hours and part two asks the patient to describe the intensity and frequency of muscle spasms in the previous 1 hour. Frequency is assessed on a 5 point scale ranging from no spasms (0) to spontaneous spasms occurring more than 10 times in the hour (5). Intensity it marked on a 3 point scale of mild, moderate and severe. The higher the scores, the more frequent and the more severe the spasms.

    Baseline (up to 24 hours before treatment)

  • Modified Penn Spasticity scale

    A two-part patient self-reported measure assessing frequency and severity of muscle spasms. Part one asks the patient to describe the intensity and frequency of muscle spasms in the previous 24 hours and part two asks the patient to describe the intensity and frequency of muscle spasms in the previous 1 hour. Frequency is assessed on a 5 point scale ranging from no spasms (0) to spontaneous spasms occurring more than 10 times in the hour (5). Intensity it marked on a 3 point scale of mild, moderate and severe. The higher the scores, the more frequent and the more severe the spasms.

    Day 14 post start of treatment

  • Modified Penn Spasticity scale

    A two-part patient self-reported measure assessing frequency and severity of muscle spasms. Part one asks the patient to describe the intensity and frequency of muscle spasms in the previous 24 hours and part two asks the patient to describe the intensity and frequency of muscle spasms in the previous 1 hour. Frequency is assessed on a 5 point scale ranging from no spasms (0) to spontaneous spasms occurring more than 10 times in the hour (5). Intensity it marked on a 3 point scale of mild, moderate and severe. The higher the scores, the more frequent and the more severe the spasms.

    Day 28 post start of treatment

Secondary Outcomes (5)

  • Pain score

    Baseline (up to 24 hours before treatment)

  • Pain score

    Day 14 post start of treatment

  • Pain score

    Day 28 post start of treatment

  • Ashworth score

    Baseline (up to 24 hours before treatment)

  • Ashworth score

    Day 14 post start of treatment

Study Arms (2)

Pulsed magnetic stimulation of the spinal cord

EXPERIMENTAL

Sub-threshold intermittent pulsed magnetic stimulation of spinal cord

Procedure: Sub-threshold intermittent pulsed magnetic stimulation

Sham magnetic stimulation

SHAM COMPARATOR

Sham - patient and machinery placed in same position as intervention arm but no magnetic stimulation delivered

Procedure: Sham

Interventions

Application of sub-threshold intermittent pulsed magnetic stimulation to spinal cord

Pulsed magnetic stimulation of the spinal cord
ShamPROCEDURE

Application of sham magnetic stimulation to spinal cord

Sham magnetic stimulation

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 99 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Able to provide informed consent
  • Aged above 18 years and below 99 years old
  • Possesses mental capacity
  • Established spinal cord injury Frankel grade A, B or C, at least 2 months prior to recruitment
  • Involvement of the spinal cord at L1 level or above
  • Admitted to the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (Oswestry, UK)
  • Expected to remain an in-patient for the duration of the study
  • Experiences spasticity affecting the lower limbs

You may not qualify if:

  • Pregnant
  • Non-MRI compatible spinal fixation in place
  • Implanted Insulin pump
  • Change of spasticity medication within last 2 weeks
  • Planned spasticity intervention at this admission
  • Epilepsy with fit within the last 12 months
  • Currently taking donezipil hydrochloride
  • Currently taking sodium valproate
  • Cardiac Pacemaker or wires
  • Internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
  • Deep Brain Stimulator
  • Tattoo on lower back
  • Radioactive seeds
  • Cochlear implant/ear implant
  • Vagus nerve stimulator (VNS)
  • +7 more criteria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7AG, United Kingdom

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Spinal Cord InjuriesMuscle Spasticity

Interventions

salicylhydroxamic acid

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Spinal Cord DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesTrauma, Nervous SystemWounds and InjuriesMuscular DiseasesMusculoskeletal DiseasesMuscle HypertoniaNeuromuscular ManifestationsNeurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

  • Andrew Roberts, FRCS

    The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER GOV
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

April 26, 2019

First Posted

July 11, 2019

Study Start

January 2, 2018

Primary Completion

October 31, 2022

Study Completion

October 31, 2022

Last Updated

February 1, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-01

Locations