Up-Stim
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation for enhanced upper limb rehabilitation in acute spinal cord injury
IRAS ID
319893
Contact name
Joseph Steel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
In the United Kingdom, there are more than 1000 new cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) each year, with around half of these injuries affecting the cervical spine. People who have reduced function and control affecting their upper limbs may have difficulty carrying out activities of daily living (ADLs), significantly affecting their independence. Recovering even partial upper limb function is a top priority among tetraplegics.
Regaining voluntary function in the upper limb can have a huge impact on quality of life. Using TSCS in the upper limb for acute SCI can benefit patients early in their rehabilitation, and may reduce the number of patients with problematic spasticity at discharge. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) may provide a low-cost method of improving function and spasticity in this cohort.
We are investigating the effect of adding non-invasive SCS to inpatient rehabilitation on upper limb function for people with acute SCI. We will test this by randomly assigning volunteers to either a control group, who will receive their normal inpatient rehabilitation only, and an intervention group, who will have non-invasive SCS added to their normal inpatient rehabilitation, targeting their upper limbs.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SW/0025
Date of REC Opinion
24 May 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion