Gentle spinal stimulation to reduce muscle tightness in children with cerebral palsy

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 interventional protocol compares spinal cord excitability in children with cerebral palsy and typically developing controls using surface electrophysiological recordings during isometric tasks. Investigators will collect markers such as sensory reflex responses, reciprocal inhibition, motoneuron firing patterns, and motor evoked potentials elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation. In the patient group, the same measurements will be repeated while applying transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) to observe acute effects on spinal excitability and hypertonia. Procedures are non-invasive and involve movement/strength tasks plus mild stimulation that feels like a light tap.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

A. Patient-Participant Group (Children with Cerebral Palsy)

* Children aged 5 to 17 years with a confirmed diagnosis of cerebral palsy.
* Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Levels I to IV, able to walk with or without assistance (walker or cane). This classification will have been completed by Dr. Martin Piazza and his Movement Disorders clinic team.
* Stable medical condition without recent surgeries or interventions that could affect motor function.
* Must be able to communicate basic needs and follow simple instructions.
* Provision of informed consent by a parent or legal guardian, with assent from the child as appropriate.

B. Control Group (Children without Neurological Diagnoses)

* Children aged 5 to 17 years with no history of neurological diagnoses.
* Must be fully ambulatory without assistance.
* Must be able to communicate basic needs and follow simple instructions.
* Provision of informed consent by a parent or legal guardian, with assent from the child as appropriate.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of implanted medical devices (e.g., baclofen pumps, deep brain stimulators) that may interfere with TSCS.
* Severe scoliosis or spinal deformities that could affect the delivery of tSCS.
* Uncontrolled epilepsy or a history of frequent seizures.
* Severe cognitive impairments limiting the ability to comply with study procedures.
* Skin conditions or open wounds at the site of stimulation.
* Participation in other interventional studies that may confound results.
* Any serious disease or disorder (e.g. cancer, severe cardiac or respiratory disease, etc.) that could affect ability to participate in this study.

Where it's running

• UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Martin G Piazza, MD — University of Pittsburgh
• Study coordinator: Bailey McDonald, BS
• Email: mcdonaldbm3@upmc.edu
• Phone: 412-692-9966

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Dorsal Root Electrical Stimulation to Help Spasticity in Children with Cerebral Palsy

  This study tests whether adding dorsal root electrical stimulation during SDR surgery can lessen spasticity in children with cerebral palsy.

  Recruiting University of Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · NCT07715006

• Sensory Integration Therapy vs Conventional Physical Therapy in Children With Mixed Cerebral Palsy

  This study tests whether Sensory Integration Therapy helps improve gross motor function more than standard physical therapy in children aged 4–10 with mixed cerebral palsy.

  Recruiting Riphah International University · Peshawar, Kpk · NCT07921069

• Shockwave therapy added to toxin injections to help spasticity after spinal cord injury

  Aims to see if focused shockwave therapy plus Botox injections reduce spasticity better than Botox alone in adults with spinal cord injury.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Kessler Foundation · West Orange, New Jersey · NCT07894991

• Turkish version of ABILHAND-Kids Young CP: translation, adaptation, and reliability

  A Turkish version of the ABILHAND-Kids Young CP questionnaire is being created and tested to see if it reliably measures manual ability in 2-to-7-year-olds with cerebral palsy, based on parent reports.

  Recruiting Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa · Istanbul, Istanbul · NCT07894926

• Multisite upper limb surgery in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

  This study looks at whether individualized multisite upper limb surgery helps improve hand function in kids with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, using each child as their own control before and after surgery.

  Recruiting Centre Médico-Chirurgical de Réadaptation des Massues Croix Rouge Française · Lyon · NCT07891078

• Targeted spinal cord stimulation to reduce spasticity in spinal cord injury

  This study tests whether an implanted epidural stimulator can help reduce severe spasticity and improve voluntary movement in adults with spinal cord injury.

  Recruiting Kessler Foundation · West Orange, New Jersey · NCT07890558

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.