Combined augmented reality and electrical stimulation to improve hand and arm function after cervical spinal cord injury

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This early-phase pilot uses a combined AR+FES device to deliver upper-limb rehabilitation across 20 one-hour sessions delivered over 10 weeks, during which participants interact with virtual and real objects while targeted muscles are stimulated. The primary goals are to demonstrate safety by monitoring for serious adverse events and to show feasibility by confirming participants can set up and use the system independently. Secondary outcomes include adherence to the session schedule and structured user feedback on usability and experience. The study enrolls people with chronic cervical spinal cord injury who retain some ability to manipulate objects but have measurable impairment and is conducted at the Lyndhurst Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - University Health Network.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Chronic cervical SCI
* Any level or severity of cervical SCI, traumatic or non-traumatic
* Can carry out object manipulations but with visible impairment (i.e., 5-25 on the GRASSP Prehension Performance sub-score).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any disease or injury other than the SCI that may be affecting grasping performance.
* Individuals with any self-reported FES contraindications (pacemakers, implantable defibrillator, implanted neurostimulation device, metallic implants in the stimulated areas, cardiac conditions, epilepsy, uncontrolled seizures, wounds or fractures on the target limb)
* Inability to understand the study procedures
* Muscles do not respond to FES to produce grasping movements
* Currently participating in another upper limb rehabilitation intervention study (regular physical and occupational therapy is permitted).

Where it's running

• Lyndhurst Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - University Health Network
  Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: José Zariffa, PhD — University Health Network, Toronto
• Study coordinator: Sharmini Atputharaj, MSc
• Email: Sharmini.Atputharaj@uhn.ca
• Phone: 416-597-3422

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.