Neuromuscular electrical stimulation to improve blood sugar control after 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

Participants with spinal cord injury and non-injured controls will undergo an oral glucose tolerance test with dual stable isotope tracers to measure how an acute bout of NMES changes glucose handling compared with a sham session. The primary comparison is peripheral glucose uptake after a single NMES session versus sham, and between injured and non-injured groups. People with SCI will then be given instructions to use NMES at home for two weeks to assess real-world feasibility. In-depth interviews will be conducted to capture acceptability and identify practical barriers to home use.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

We are asking all individuals who meet our study criteria if they would like to take part. We are looking for both males and females who meet all the criteria on this list for either SCI or non-injured individuals:

Individuals with SCI:

* \>1-year postinjury.
* 18 years of age or above
* American Spinal Cord Injury Impairment Scale A-C.
* Level of Injury, Cervical 5-Lumbar 2.
* Have capacity to provide informed consent.

Non-injured individuals:

• 18 years of age or above

Exclusion Criteria:

* Has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, or actively taking a pharmaceutical to address elevated blood glucose.
* Unable to understand explanations and/or provide informed consent.
* If you cannot tolerate the NMES intervention
* Is pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study duration

SCI only:

* Recently trained with electrical stimulation (\< 6 months)
* Recent history of lower limb fractures
* Peripheral nerve injury to lower extremities
* Unresolved pressure ulcers
* Known lower motor neuron injury.
* If the research team cannot induce visible or palpable contractions of the quadricep muscle with NMES
* If they cannot tolerate the NMES intervention
* Has previously experienced uncontrolled autonomic dysreflexia

Where it's running

• Department for Health, University of Bath
  Bath, United Kingdom, United Kingdom Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Rebecca A Young
• Email: ray27@bath.ac.uk
• Phone: +44 (0)1225 388388

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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.