NCT06838637

Brief Summary

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to examine the safety and feasibility of SCONE as home based therapy for orthostatic hypotension and bowel dysfunction in individuals with spinal cord injury or multiple system atrophy. The main aims of the study are:

  • To establish a safe protocol for home-based transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation therapy at the research centre
  • To test the safety and feasibility of home-based transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation therapy on orthostatic hypotension and bowel dysfunction Participation will last approximately 10 weeks (excluding screening period) and involves
  • Attending the study center to collect baseline evaluations and to plan where electrodes will be placed
  • A 2 week treatment period at the centre with 3 visits per week
  • A 6 week home based therapy period involving 1 hour treatments twice a day
  • Attending the study center to collect post-treatment evaluations

Trial Health

57
Monitor

Trial Health Score

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

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
6

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Feb 2024

Typical duration for not_applicable

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

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 15, 2024

Completed
1 year until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 17, 2025

Completed
3 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 20, 2025

Completed
1.1 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

April 1, 2026

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

April 1, 2026

Completed
Last Updated

February 20, 2025

Status Verified

February 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

2.1 years

First QC Date

February 17, 2025

Last Update Submit

February 17, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

Transcutaneous Spinal Cord StimulationSCONEOrthostatic HypotensionBowel DysfunctionAutonomic Dysfunction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Systolic blood pressure (SBP) changes in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) during TSCS

    Changes in SBP measures will be used to establish the BP component of the safety protocol for home-based TSCS with the purpose to mitigate orthostatic hypotension (OH).

    6 weeks

  • Blood pressure (BP) changes in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) in 24-hrs

    BP changes will be used to test the safety and feasibility of home-based TSCS (6 weeks) for orthostatic tolerance and bowel function in daily activities. The primary safety and feasibility measures will be continuously measured BP with a wireless BP device (Caretaker Medical LLC, USA, Class II, Medical Device Licence 320275) with and without stimulation, skin condition, any adverse event reports related to the stimulation.

    6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

  • 24-hour BP measurement in millimeters of mercury (mmHg)

    6 weeks

  • Cardiovascular monitoring in mmHg

    6 weeks

  • Adverse events (i.e., abnormal electrocardiograph)

    6 weeks

Study Arms (1)

Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation

EXPERIMENTAL

Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) will be delivered using a portable non-invasive spinal cord stimulator (SCONE, SpineX Inc., CA, USA).

Device: Spinal COrd NEuromodulation ("SCONE") Device

Interventions

A non-invasive electrical device that provides transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) to the spinal cord by electrodes connected to a battery-powered source.

Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation

Eligibility Criteria

Age19 Years - 70 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Resident of British Columbia, Canada with active provincial medical services plan
  • Male or female, 19-70 years of age The safety and feasibility of home-based non-invasive spinal cord stimulation for orthostatic hypotension in individuals with severe autonomic dysfunctions (H23-00192) Protocol Version 1.0, December 8, 2023 Page 6 of 23
  • Chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) (non-progressive, with complete motor paralysis) at or above the T6 spinal segment OR Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) of the parkinsonian type.
  • \>1-year post injury or diagnosis, at least 6 months from any spinal surgery.
  • American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) A, B for SCI or having OH (Orthostatic Hypotension) for MSA.
  • Willing and able to comply with all clinic visits and study-related procedures.
  • Able to understand and complete study-related questionnaires (must be able to understand and speak English or have access to an appropriate interpreter as judged by the investigator).
  • No painful musculoskeletal dysfunction, unhealed fracture, pressure sore, or active infection that may interfere with testing.
  • Stable management of spinal cord related clinical issues (i.e., spasticity management).
  • Women of childbearing potential must not be intending to become pregnant, currently pregnant, or lactating. The following conditions apply:
  • Women of childbearing potential must have a confirmed negative pregnancy test prior to the baseline visit.
  • Women of childbearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception during the period of the trial and for at least 28 days after completion of treatment. Effective contraception includes abstinence.
  • Sexually active males with female partners of childbearing potential must agree to use effective contraception during the period of the trial and for at least 28 days after completion of treatment.
  • Must provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

  • A participant who meets any of the following criteria will be ineligible to participate:
  • Ventilator dependent.
  • Clinically significant, unmanaged, depression (PHQ-9 above 15) or ongoing drug abuse.
  • Use of any medication or treatment that in the opinion of the investigator indicates that it is not in the best interest of the participant to participate in this study.
  • Intrathecal baclofen pump.
  • Cardiovascular, respiratory, bladder, or renal disease unrelated to spinal cord injury (SCI) or presence of hydronephrosis or presence of obstructive renal stones.
  • Presence of severe acute medical issue that in the investigator's judgement would adversely affect the participant's participation in the study. Examples include, but are not limited to acute urinary tract infections, active heterotopic ossification, newly changed antidepressant medications \[tricyclics\], debilitating muscle pain, pressure sores, or unstable diabetes.
  • Any implanted metal (other than dental implants) in the skull or presence of pacemakers, stimulators, or medication pumps in the trunk.
  • Takes more than 40mg of Baclofen per day.
  • Severe anemia (Hgb\<8 g/dl or Hgb,80 g/L) or hypovolemia as measured by hematocrit via blood test in the last six months.
  • Participant is a member of the investigational team or his/her immediate family.
  • Participant has undergone electrode implantation surgery.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

ICORD, Blusson Spinal Cord Centre

Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 1M9, Canada

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Spinal Cord InjuriesMultiple System AtrophyHypotension, OrthostaticIntestinal DiseasesPrimary Dysautonomias

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Spinal Cord DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesTrauma, Nervous SystemWounds and InjuriesAutonomic Nervous System DiseasesBasal Ganglia DiseasesBrain DiseasesMovement DisordersSynucleinopathiesNeurodegenerative DiseasesOrthostatic IntoleranceHypotensionVascular DiseasesCardiovascular DiseasesGastrointestinal DiseasesDigestive System Diseases

Study Officials

  • Michael J Berger, MD, FRCPC

    The University of British Columbia

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
  • Andrei Krassioukov, MD, FRCPC

    The University of British Columbia

    STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Andrea Maharaj, BSc

CONTACT

Andrei Krassioukov, MD, FRCPC

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
NA
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
SINGLE GROUP
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Clinical Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 17, 2025

First Posted

February 20, 2025

Study Start

February 15, 2024

Primary Completion

April 1, 2026

Study Completion

April 1, 2026

Last Updated

February 20, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-02

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