Downhill treadmill training with electric zaps may help spinal injury patients walk again

NCT ID NCT05337982

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Ohio State University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests a new rehabilitation program for people with recent spinal cord injuries (within 1-5 months). Participants walk on a downhill treadmill while receiving electrical stimulation to their leg and trunk muscles. The goal is to improve walking and movement. Researchers will also check blood and spinal fluid for biomarkers to find the best time to start training. The study includes 49 participants and compares the new training to standard rehabilitation alone.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: downhill eccentric treadmill training with electrical muscle stimulation
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a more effective rehabilitation approach to improve walking and function after spinal cord injury.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage study with only 49 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The training is intensive and may not work for all injury levels.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for HEALTHY are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

spinal cord injury

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HEALTHY SPINAL CORD INJURIES

Contacts and locations

Locations

The Ohio State University
RECRUITING

Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States
University of British Columbia
RECRUITING

Vancouver, Canada

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.