NCT04755699

Brief Summary

This is an early feasibility trial to determine whether transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation, with or without transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation, using an investigational neurostimulation device improves functional arm/hand movements in individuals with paralysis or paresis due to a spinal cord injury or stroke and improves functional arm/hand or leg/foot movements in individuals with paralysis or paresis due to other brain or nerve injuries. In this study, eligible individuals that agree to participate will be asked to attend up to 5 study sessions a week for 1 year (depending on participant availability), with each session lasting up to 4 hours. At the first study session, participants will have their demographic information collected, vital signs assessed, and have measurements performed of their limbs and torso, as appropriate. They will also undergo clinical evaluations and tests to assess their current functional movement and sensation capabilities. During subsequent study sessions, participants will undergo many tasks designed to improve functional movements in paralyzed limbs. Specifically, participants will receive neuromuscular electrical stimulation to the limb(s) and/or electrical stimulation to the spinal cord to evoke specified movements. The stimulation parameters and locations on the spinal column and/or limb(s) that evoke specific movements will be noted. The movements will be assessed with visual inspection, electromyography, and/or sensors. The clinical evaluations and tests to assess functional movement and sensation capabilities will be repeated throughout the study and at the last study session to assess for functional improvements compared to the first study session. Upon completion of these study sessions, the individual's participation in the study is considered complete.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
64

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for early_phase_1 healthy-volunteers

Timeline
26mo left

Started Dec 2020

Longer than P75 for early_phase_1 healthy-volunteers

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

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 Progress72%
Dec 2020Jun 2028

Study Start

First participant enrolled

December 2, 2020

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 13, 2021

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 16, 2021

Completed
6.9 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 31, 2027

Expected
6 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 30, 2028

Last Updated

March 11, 2026

Status Verified

June 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

7.1 years

First QC Date

January 13, 2021

Last Update Submit

March 9, 2026

Conditions

Keywords

Neuromuscular StimulationSpinal Cord StimulationPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Device Feasibility for Changing Muscle Activation of the Arm and Hand

    The primary outcome will be measured as the ability for the neurostimulation device to elicit changes in muscle activation (measured by electromyography) of the arm and hand of individuals with a spinal cord injury or stroke from baseline (prior to study intervention) until study completion (after initiation of study intervention).

    12 months

Other Outcomes (1)

  • Change in Muscle Activation of the Targeted Limbs

    12 months

Study Arms (4)

Healthy Volunteers

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

This arm consists of healthy volunteers receiving transcutaneous electrical stimulation to the arms, legs, and/or spinal column to evoke various arm/hand and leg/foot movements.

Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation

Individuals with a Spinal Cord Injury

EXPERIMENTAL

This arm consists of individuals with a spinal cord injury receiving transcutaneous electrical stimulation to the arms/hand and/or spinal column to evoke various arm/hand movements.

Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation

Individuals with a Stroke

EXPERIMENTAL

This arm consists of individuals with a stroke receiving transcutaneous electrical stimulation to the arms/hand and/or spinal column to evoke various arm/hand movements.

Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation

Individuals with other Brain or Nerve Injuries

EXPERIMENTAL

This arm consists of individuals with a other brain and nerve injuries receiving transcutaneous electrical stimulation to the arms/hand, legs/foot, and/or spinal column to evoke various arm/hand or leg/foot movements.

Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation

Interventions

The study involves the administration of various electrical pulses being delivered to muscles and/or the spinal column with an investigational neurostimulator to evoke various limb movements in order to improve functional movement.

Healthy VolunteersIndividuals with a Spinal Cord InjuryIndividuals with a StrokeIndividuals with other Brain or Nerve Injuries

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 75 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Individuals between 18 and 75 years of age
  • Individuals without physical disabilities or conditions/diseases that may make them incapable of completing the physical study tasks or otherwise places them at a greater risk of harm
  • Individuals that are considered English Proficient due to the study requirements to follow verbal commands during sessions
  • Individuals that are able to comprehend the study goals and procedures, and are able to provide informed consent for participation
  • Individuals that are willing and able to visit the study center for study procedures, which may be up to 5 sessions a week for up to 1 year (at least 2 months) at up to 4 hours per session
  • Individuals between 18 and 75 years of age
  • Individuals with a limited ability to use at least one hand due to a spinal cord injury or stroke
  • Individuals that are at least six months from their initial stroke or one year from their initial spinal cord injury
  • Individuals that are considered English Proficient due to the study requirements to follow verbal commands during testing sessions
  • Individuals that are able to comprehend the study goals and procedures, and are able to provide informed consent for participation
  • Individuals that are willing and able to visit the study center for study procedures, which may be up to 5 sessions a week for up to 1 year (at least 2 months) at up to 4 hours per session
  • Individuals between 18 and 75 years of age
  • Individuals with a limited ability or no ability to use at least one limb due to a brain or nerve injury such as a traumatic brain injury, brachial plexus injury, peripheral nerve damage, or Parkinson's Disease.
  • Individuals that are considered English Proficient due to the study requirements to follow verbal commands during testing sessions
  • Individuals that are able to comprehend the study goals and procedures, and are able to provide informed consent for participation
  • +1 more criteria

You may not qualify if:

  • Individuals participating in another study that may affect the conduct or results of this study
  • Individuals having or exhibiting any of the following, as specified by self-report:
  • Stage III-IV pressure ulcers that adversely interfere with study involvement (i.e., pressure ulcer on the extremity of interest or prohibits extended bouts of sitting)
  • History of epilepsy
  • Chronically-implanted electronic medical device (e.g. deep brain stimulator, epidural stimulator, cardiac pacemaker, vagus nerve stimulator, or other)
  • Abnormalities of the arms/hands, legs/feet, or spinal column that would prevent electrical stimulation
  • Ventilator dependence
  • History of serious mood or thought disorder
  • Uncontrolled autonomic dysreflexia
  • Severe spasticity in extremities of interest that are uncontrolled by pharmacological methods or prevents electrical stimulation
  • Botulinum toxin injections to the extremity of interest within 3 months
  • Presence of active cancer at or near the areas of transcutaneous stimulation
  • History of heart or kidney disease
  • History of additional neurologic diseases (e.g., multiple strokes, multiple sclerosis, etc.)
  • Presence of other serious infections, diseases, or disorders that could affect ability to participate in this study (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes, rheumatic disease, peripheral neuropathy, HIV or AIDS, etc.)
  • +3 more criteria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Northwell Health's The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

Manhasset, New York, 11030, United States

RECRUITING

Related Publications (3)

  • Bouton CE, Shaikhouni A, Annetta NV, Bockbrader MA, Friedenberg DA, Nielson DM, Sharma G, Sederberg PB, Glenn BC, Mysiw WJ, Morgan AG, Deogaonkar M, Rezai AR. Restoring cortical control of functional movement in a human with quadriplegia. Nature. 2016 May 12;533(7602):247-50. doi: 10.1038/nature17435. Epub 2016 Apr 13.

    PMID: 27074513BACKGROUND
  • Ciancibello J, King K, Meghrazi MA, Padmanaban S, Levy T, Ramdeo R, Straka M, Bouton C. Closed-loop neuromuscular electrical stimulation using feedforward-feedback control and textile electrodes to regulate grasp force in quadriplegia. Bioelectron Med. 2019 Nov 1;5:19. doi: 10.1186/s42234-019-0034-y. eCollection 2019.

    PMID: 32232108BACKGROUND
  • Bhagat N, King K, Ramdeo R, Stein A, Bouton C. Determining grasp selection from arm trajectories via deep learning to enable functional hand movement in tetraplegia. Bioelectron Med. 2020 Aug 25;6:17. doi: 10.1186/s42234-020-00053-5. eCollection 2020.

    PMID: 32864392BACKGROUND

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Spinal Cord InjuriesStrokeParalysisParesisTrauma, Nervous System

Interventions

Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Spinal Cord DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesWounds and InjuriesCerebrovascular DisordersBrain DiseasesVascular DiseasesCardiovascular DiseasesNeurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electric Stimulation TherapyTherapeuticsPhysical Therapy ModalitiesRehabilitationAnalgesiaAnesthesia and Analgesia

Study Officials

  • Chad E Bouton, MS

    Northwell Health

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Erona Ibroci, MPH

CONTACT

Chad E Bouton, MS

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
early phase 1
Allocation
NON RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
DEVICE FEASIBILITY
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: The study will enroll a total of 64 participants. Of the 64 participants, 7 will be healthy volunteers having no disabilities, 25 will be individuals with paralysis or paresis from a spinal cord injury, 25 will be individuals with paralysis or paresis from a stroke, and 7 will be individuals with paralysis or paresis from other brain or nerve injuries.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Vice President, Advanced Engineering

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 13, 2021

First Posted

February 16, 2021

Study Start

December 2, 2020

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 30, 2028

Last Updated

March 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

The identifiable information collected on this study will only be shared with other researchers that have obtained approval from the institutional review board (IRB). After a request for study information is received, the principal investigator (Chad Bouton, MS) will determine whether the requested information can be shared given the authorization status of the study participants. After approval by the principal investigator, the researcher will be required to present a letter indicating IRB approval of their study and a copy of the approved protocol indicating that approval includes the receipt of information from this study. If this information is obtained, the principal investigator will provide the requested information (taking into account the authorization status of participants) to the researchers in a HIPAA-compliant manner.

Shared Documents
SAP, ICF
Time Frame
The study will only provide identifiable information pertaining to participants as long as there is active and valid IRB approval of the study. After the study is completed and the study has been closed with the IRB, information will no longer be shared.
Access Criteria
The study will only share information with other researchers that have been approved by the principal investigator (Chad Bouton, MS), have showed evidence that their study has valid IRB approval that includes the ability to receive the requested information, and has provided a copy of the approved protocol to verify they can receive the requested information and that the information will be stored in a HIPAA-compliant manner.

Locations