Brain training may strengthen movement after spinal cord injury

NCT ID NCT04286191

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether a brain-spinal cord-muscle training program can strengthen connections that control movement in people with spinal cord injury. Twenty-one participants completed four months of training using brain stimulation and muscle monitoring. The goal was to see if this training could improve walking and reduce muscle spasticity.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Operant conditioning training with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

What this could lead to

If successful, this training approach could point toward a non-invasive way to improve walking and movement control after spinal cord injury.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage study (21 participants) focused on measuring changes in the nervous system, not on proving a treatment works. Results may not apply to everyone with spinal cord injury.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Muscle Spasticity nervous system injury palsy spinal cord injury

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Medical University of South Carolina

    Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States