Recruiting

Cervical Spinal StimulationAugmenting Rehabilitation Outcomes and Functional Neuroplasticity Using Epidural Stimulation of Cervical Spinal Cord

Sponsor:

The Methodist Hospital Research Institute

Code:

NCT06225245

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries

Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 22 - 65

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

Epidural Spinal Stimulation (ESS)

Study Details

Brief summary:

The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of cervical epidural spinal stimulation with upper extremity training.

This is an investigational study. The device used for epidural spinal stimulation (ESS) to deliver spinal stimulation is called the CoverEdgeX 32 Surgical Lead system. This device is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of severe pain and to manage chronic pain when other treatments have not been effective. In this study, the device is considered an investigational device because it is not approved for use in the treatment of spinal cord injury

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries

Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Study ID

NCT06225245

Start date

Aug 6, 2024

Status verified date

Mar, 2026

Completion date

Jan 1, 2027

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Jan 1, 2027

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 22 - 65

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

All participants must provide a signed and dated informed consent form.
Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study.
Male or female aged 22 - 65 years old.
Must provide documentation from personal primary treating physician that reports stable medical condition.
Able to passively range bilateral upper extremities within normal mobility parameters including:

greater than 90 degrees of shoulder flexion and 20 degrees of shoulder extension;
greater than 120 degrees of elbow flexion and reach elbow extension of approximately 150 degrees;
neutral wrist position reaching a minimum of 70 degrees of movement (between flexion and extension;
ability to passively flex and extend fingers.
Maintain current oral anti-spasticity regimen/dosage as approved by study physician with no change in regular use that may affect study outcomes.
Six (6) months to 20 years post spinal cord injury.
Non-progressive spinal cord injury.
Chronic SCI with neurologic level of injury as defined by ISNCSCI AIS A, B, or C.
Neurological level of injury above T2.
Eligible for fMRI per safety questionnaire.
Women of childbearing potential must agree to the use of an effective means of avoiding pregnancy for the duration of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

Currently involved in another rehabilitation training study.
Lower motor neuron injury revealed in the upper limbs.
Stabilization hardware in the cervical spine, preventing implantation of ESS system.
Active pressure sores, wounds, unhealed bone fractures, peripheral neuropathies, or painful musculoskeletal dysfunction (including contractures in the upper and lower extremities).
Any ongoing medical condition which would preclude participant from regular physical activity (including but not limited to: ventilator dependence, cardiopulmonary disease, uncontrollable autonomic dysreflexia or orthostatic hypotension, active urinary tract infections, pregnant or nursing).
Intrathecal baclofen pump therapy for spasticity.
Must not have received Botox injections to primary lower extremity and trunk musculature within the past 3 months which would result in absence of muscle tone and thus preclude response to electrical stimulation therapy.
Current or history of neuromuscular conditions (including but not limited to: unhealed ligament of muscular tears in the upper or lower extremities, pain in weight bearing positions for upper and lower extremities).
Clinically significant depression, psychiatric disorders, or ongoing drug abuse.
Any reason the PI or treating physician may deem as harmful to the participant or inappropriate for the participant to enroll or continue in the study.
Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30.
Pregnancy.

Study Design

Enrollment

12 participants

Anticipated

Intervention Model

Single group

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Epidural Spinal Stimulation (ESS)

ESS will be delivered using The CoverEdgeX 32 Surgical Lead at frequencies of 0.2 to 60 Hz with intensity up to 10 mA, adjusted to induce motor threshold responses in the target muscle for the above motor task (e.g., biceps brachii for elbow flexion) \[31-33\]. The ESS controller will only be operated by trained study team members. Therefore, stimulation will only be delivered during study visits. Stimulation will be administered for a maximum duration of 1 hour total per visit, varying according to the individual's tolerance and fatigue levels, with 5 - 10 minutes breaks interspersed between intervals of stimulation.

Interventions

Epidural Spinal Stimulation (ESS)

Primary outcome measure

Assessment of Upper Limb Muscle Response [ Time Frame: Baseline (Week 4), Post Intervention (Week 7), Follow up (Week 10), Follow up (Week 13) ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Jenny Dinh

346-238-4654 jtdinh@houstonmethodist.org

Rachel Markley

713-441-3770 rmarkley@houstonmethodist.org

Locations

The Methodist Hospital Research Institute

Recruiting

Houston, Texas, United States, 77030

Contacts

Jenny Dinh

346-238-4654 jtdinh@houstonmethodist.org

Principal Investigator:

Dimitry G Sayenko, MD, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

The Methodist Hospital Research Institute

Last update posted

Apr 8, 2026

Last verified

Mar, 2026

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-09. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by The Methodist Hospital Research Institute on 2026-04-08.