Spinal stimulation may help stabilize blood pressure in paralyzed veterans
NCT ID NCT05180227
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether applying mild electrical stimulation to the skin over the spinal cord could help regulate blood pressure in veterans with spinal cord injury who have chronically low blood pressure. Ten participants with injuries at or above T6 received stimulation at different spots on their back to see which placement best raised their seated systolic blood pressure to a healthy range. The goal was to find a non-invasive way to reduce heart disease risk in this population.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (a device that delivers electrical pulses through the skin)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-invasive way to help people with spinal cord injury maintain healthy blood pressure and reduce heart disease risk.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very small, early study with only 10 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The best electrode placement and stimulation settings are still not fully known.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY
The Bronx, New York, 10468-3904, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Can a robotic suit plus spinal stimulation help paralyzed individuals walk again?