Near-infrared imaging to see how motor imagery affects recovery after spinal cord injury

A Near-Infrared Functional Imaging Study on Motor Imagery Training in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

This trial will test whether a motor-imagery brain-computer interface (MI-BCI) can help adults with recent cervical-to-thoracic spinal cord injuries improve motor function and change brain activity measured by fNIRS and EEG.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 36 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Shengjing Hospital (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Shenyang, Liaoning)
• Trial ID: NCT07106060 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with spinal cord injury (C5–T12, ASIA A–C) who are within 12 months of injury will be randomly assigned to receive MI-BCI training using an EEG-based device or a control/sham condition. Before and after the intervention, researchers will measure motor function and record cortical oxygenation with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) alongside EEG to track neural activity. The study compares changes between groups to determine whether MI-BCI leads to clinically meaningful motor improvements and altered cortical responses during rest and task performance. The protocol is conducted at a single rehabilitation center with standardized training sessions and outcome testing.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18–75 with traumatic or non-traumatic SCI at levels C5–T12, ASIA grade A–C, within 12 months of injury, clinically stable, cognitively able to follow training, and willing to attend in-person sessions and give informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients with major organ dysfunction, active infections or tumors, unstable fractures, severe joint contractures or intolerable pain, or those outside the specified injury levels or time window are unlikely to qualify or benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve motor recovery after spinal cord injury and offer a new rehabilitation option that targets brain–spinal cord interactions.

How similar studies have performed: Small studies of motor-imagery BCIs and combined EEG/fNIRS monitoring have shown promising but variable functional gains, making this approach plausible but not yet established in SCI.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. The vital signs are stable and the spine is stable, making the subject suitable for exercise testing.
2. Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) who meet the international diagnostic criteria for SCI neurology revised by the American SCI Society in 2019 and have been diagnosed by CT or MRI.
3. The injury level of SCI is C5-T12, and the ASIA grade is A-C.
4. The course of the disease is ≤12 months (but the spinal shock period must have passed).
5. Age: 18-75 years old, regardless of gender.
6. Good cognitive function, able to understand and actively participate in the training program, and willing to sign the informed consent form for this clinical study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Those with tumors, tuberculosis, hematologic diseases, or dysfunction of important organs such as the heart and liver;
2. Those with unstable fractures;
3. Those with severe abnormal limb muscle tone and joint contracture deformities;
4. Those with severe pain that cannot tolerate activities;
5. Those with severe emotional problems who cannot cooperate to complete the study.

Where this trial is running

Shenyang, Liaoning

• Rehabilitation Center of Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University — Shenyang, Liaoning, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Xue Jiang

Conditions SCI - Spinal Cord Injury; Motor Imagery; Brain-Computer Interfaces; motor imagery; Functional near-infrared spectroscopy