Nerve zapping + exercise shows promise for spinal injury recovery

NCT ID NCT06351111

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether stimulating the vagus nerve while doing rehabilitation exercises can help people with chronic spinal cord injury regain movement and sensation. Twenty participants who completed an earlier trial will receive active VNS paired with exercises targeting the upper limb, lower limb, bladder control, or sensory function. The main goal is to check safety, with secondary goals of measuring improvements in hand function and strength.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) device
What this could lead to
If successful, this could point toward a way to improve hand, leg, bladder, and sensory function in people with chronic spinal cord injury.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage extension study with only 20 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The device also carries risks like infection or nerve damage.

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 SCI - SPINAL CORD INJURY are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

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

  • Baylor University Medical Center

    Dallas, Texas, 75246, United States

  • Texas Biomedical Device Center

    Richardson, Texas, 75080, United States

More trials for these conditions

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