Personalized cervical spinal cord stimulation to improve arm and hand function
Official title: Exploration of the Effectiveness and Mechanism of Personalized Epidural Electrical Stimulation in Improving Upper Limb Function in Participants With Spinal Cord Injury
Run by Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital · NCT07722429 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether targeted cervical epidural electrical stimulation can help people with spinal cord injury move their arms and hands.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hualien City) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 17, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07722429 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–70 with spinal cord injury at or above T4, 1–10 years post-injury, who are medically stable and able to participate in rehabilitation.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with instability, poor decompression, or contraindications to implantation may not benefit from this approach.
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 will receive a cervical spinal cord epidural stimulation system implanted surgically, followed by structured rehabilitation and stimulation therapy. The researchers will measure motor potentials in arm and hand muscles in response to stimulation, adjust settings to optimize movement, and evaluate upper-limb function with standard tests and simple tasks. The study aims to determine how effectively cervical EES can activate upper-limb muscles and improve function after injury. Safety monitoring and rehabilitation adherence are integral components of the protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve voluntary movement and motor function in the arms and hands for people with cervical-level spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research on epidural stimulation has shown potential to enable motor function after SCI, but results vary and the cervical EES approach for targeted upper-limb activation is being explored.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 70 years. * Duration since spinal cord injury ranging from 1 to 10 years. * Spinal cord injury level at or above T4. * MRI and/or CT imaging confirms adequate spinal cord decompression and spinal stability. * Stable vital signs and no dependence on mechanical ventilation. * Stable neurological and psychological status, with no history of neurological deterioration within the past 6 months (e.g., acute worsening of motor or sensory function, new-onset seizures, acute changes in muscle tone, or other neurological symptoms). Participants must be conscious, able to understand, and comply with study instructions. Clinical neurological examinations and imaging findings (MRI or CT) should demonstrate no new abnormalities. * Willingness to participate in and comply with rehabilitation programs. * Participants who have completed spinal cord electrical stimulation implantation surgery and/or are currently undergoing conventional rehabilitation therapy. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with untreated fractures of the upper extremities. * Patients with severe skin lesions or wounds that interfere with EMG electrode placement or the surgical sites for electrical stimulation implantation (e.g., chest/back, upper extremities, posterior cervical region, or subclavicular area). * Patients with a history of other neurological diseases. * Patients with known allergy or hypersensitivity to silver (Ag).
Where it's running
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Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital
Hualien City, Taiwan Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Sheng-Tzung Tsai, M.D., Ph.D — Hualien Tzu Chi General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sheng-Tzung Tsai, M.D., Ph.D
- Email: flydream.tsai@gmail.com
- Phone: +886-3-856-1825
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.