Using electric stimulation and a specific inhibitor to treat muscle damage in rotator cuff injuries

Treatment of Rabbit Rotator Cuff Fatty Infiltration and Atrophy with Electric Stimulation and a PDGFRa inhibitor

NIH-funded research Baltimore VA Medical Center · NIH-10851737

This study is looking at a new way to help people recover from rotator cuff injuries by using electric stimulation and a special medication to prevent muscle loss and improve healing, and it's being tested on rabbits to see if it can make a difference in recovery.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBaltimore VA Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10851737 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new approach to prevent fatty infiltration and muscle atrophy in rotator cuff injuries by using electric stimulation and a PDGFRa inhibitor. The study will be conducted on rabbits to assess how these treatments can improve muscle function and healing after a rotator cuff tear. The researchers aim to determine if these interventions can enhance recovery outcomes, particularly in cases where traditional surgical repairs may not be fully effective. By exploring both immediate and delayed treatment strategies, the research seeks to provide insights into optimizing recovery from rotator cuff injuries.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from rotator cuff injuries, particularly those with significant muscle fatty infiltration and atrophy.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have rotator cuff injuries or those with fully healed rotator cuffs may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved recovery and function for patients with rotator cuff injuries, reducing the risk of re-tear and enhancing overall muscle health.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is novel in the context of rotator cuff injuries, similar strategies using electric stimulation and growth factor inhibitors have shown promise in other areas of muscle recovery.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.