💬In plain words
What the trial is, and whether it could suit you
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Epidural Electrical Stimulation (EES) combined with rehabilitation training for the reconstruction of walking in patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) classified as AIS B-D. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does the intervention of EES combined with rehabilitation significantly improve walking capacity? Is the combined intervention a safe approach for this patient population? Researchers will compare participants' functional assessments before EES implantation and at 2, 4, 7, 10, and 13 months post-implantation to evaluate the longitudinal effects. The primary assessments include the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI II), the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III), and the adverse event. Secondary outcome measures encompass the International Standards for Neurological Class
Sign in to get the eligibility rules as simple questions to take to your doctor.
📋 Eligibility rules (as published)
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age between 16 and 70 years.
* Diagnosed with traumatic spinal cord injury for ≥ 6 months and ≤ 60 months.
* American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade B-D.
* Spinal cord injury level above T10;
* Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI II) score ≤ 13.
* Completion of a standard conventional rehabilitation program prior to enrollment.
* Preserved upper limb function sufficient for self-propelling a manual wheelchair.
* Sitting balance grade ≥ 1.
* Ability to elicit clear electromyographic responses in lower limb muscles (e.g., rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior) upon transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation at the T12-L1 vertebral levels.
* Willingness to voluntarily participate, and commitment to compliance with all necessary postoperative rehabilitation, assessments, and follow-up visits.
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of myocardial infarction or stroke within the past 6 months.
* Diagnosis of psychiatric disorders with active suicidal ideation or risk.
* Current pregnancy or planned pregnancy during the study period.
* Bleeding tendency or coagulopathy (prothrombin time ≥18 seconds).
* History of alcohol or substance abuse or dependence.
* Intellectual disability, cognitive impairment, or personality disorders.
* Other chronic medical conditions that may interfere with rehabilitation (e.g., unhealed severe fractures, hepatic or renal failure, severe anemia, etc.).
* Implantation of cardiac pacemakers, cardioverters, or defibrillators.
* Any other condition deemed inappropriate for participation by the investigators.
💊
What it tests
- Epidural spinal cord stimulation
- Rehabilitation Therapy
- positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT)
- Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SEPs)
- Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs)
Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, China
🤝 Taking part is your choice, and you can leave at any time. Only the trial team can confirm you are eligible — always decide together with your own doctor.
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