Assessing muscle tone in spinal cord injury and Parkinson's disease

Differential Assessment of Hypertonia Related to CNS Impairment

Not applicable Interventional Chang Gung University · NCT06596187

This study is testing how muscle tone differs between people with spinal cord injuries and those with Parkinson's disease to help understand their conditions better.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment45 (estimated)
Ages20 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorChang Gung University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Taoyuan)
Trial IDNCT06596187 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the differences between spasticity and rigidity in patients with spinal cord injury and Parkinson's disease by examining muscle tone through neural and biomechanical changes. It utilizes standard clinical assessment tools like the Modified Ashworth Scale and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, along with additional methods such as the Myoton and Post-Activation Depression (PAD). Participants will undergo evaluations using a continuous passive motion device (CPM) to assess the effects of different movement speeds on muscle tone. The goal is to better understand the characteristics of hypertonia in these conditions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals with chronic spinal cord injury or a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

Not a fit: Patients with current musculoskeletal injuries, osteoporosis, or other central or peripheral nervous system diseases may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved assessment and treatment strategies for patients suffering from spasticity and rigidity.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on spasticity and rigidity, this approach of differentiating them through velocity-dependent assessments is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Health subjects:

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Musculoskeletal injuries on legs.
2. Osteoporosis.

SCI subjects:

Inclusion Criteria 1. Participants with chronic spinal cord injury, with injury duration greater than one year.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Current musculoskeletal or joint injuries in the lower limbs.
2. History of central or peripheral neuromuscular diseases.
3. Presence of a pacemaker.
4. Current use of antispastic or antidepressant medications.
5. Current venous thromboembolism or osteoporosis.
6. Impairment of the soleus H-reflex arc.

PD subjects:

Inclusion Criteria:

\- Clinical diagnosis of Parkinson disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Musculoskeletal injuries on legs
2. Osteoporosis.
3. Any peripheral or central nervous system injury or disease patients.

Where this trial is running

Taoyuan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions SCI - Spinal Cord InjuryPD - Parkinson's DiseaseSpasticityPost activation depressionPassive motion deviceRigidity
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.