Spinal zaps may help vets with paralysis boost blood pressure and exercise
NCT ID NCT05664646
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 04, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether a non-invasive electrical stimulation device placed on the skin over the spine can help veterans with spinal cord injury improve blood pressure, exercise capacity, and body temperature regulation. Twenty veterans with injuries between the neck and upper back will compare active stimulation to a sham (inactive) device during arm cycling and in a cool room. The goal is to see if this simple approach can address common autonomic problems after spinal cord injury.
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 device
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a non-invasive way to help people with spinal cord injury manage blood pressure, exercise longer, and regulate body temperature.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early study with only 20 veterans, so results may not apply to everyone. The effects may be modest or not work at all.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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20 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jul 2023
- Finished
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Jul 2026
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * injury more than 1 year ago, non-ambulatory * level of lesion C3-T6, AIS A, B, or C * stable prescription medication regimen for at least 30 days * must be able to commit to study requirements of 7 visits within a 60-day period Exclusion Criteria: * extensive history of seizures * ventilator dependence or patent tracheostomy site * history of neurologic disorder other than SCI * history of moderate or severe head trauma * contraindications to spine stimulation * significant cardiovascular disease * active psychological disorder * recent history (within 3 months) of substance abuse * open skin lesions over spine at levels targeted for stimulation (L1/L2) and pregnancy
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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
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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