About this trial
The goal of this study is to restore the activities of late descending signals with a noninvasive stimulation approach in combination with hand motor training to improve hand function in persons with cervical SCI. The main question it aims to answer is if the inputs to late descending signals above the level of injury and the output of residual late descending signals below the level of injury could be increased. Specifically, in the first part of the study, 30 participants will complete 2 randomized sessions to compare the effect of intermittent theta burst stimulation combined with paired corticospinal motoneuronal stimulation. In the second part of the study, 24 participants will complete either combined stimulation protocol or sham stimulation protocol with exercise training.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Ages 18-75 years
Chronic SCI (≥1 year of injury)
Cervical injury at C8 or above
Individuals who have MEP responses in at least one FDI muscle
Disqualifiers
Uncontrolled medical problems including pulmonary or cardiovascular disease
Premorbid, ongoing major depression or psychosis, altered cognitive status
History of head injury or stroke
Metal plate in skull
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- iTBS
- Sham iTBS
- PCMS
- Sham PCMS
- Exercise