Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Upper Limb Dysfunction in Spinal Cord Injury: a Feasibility Study (TUSI)
Spinal Cord Injuries
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Spinal Cord Injuries focused on measuring transcranial magnetic stimulation, Spinal Cord Injuries, Muscle Spasticity, Pain, Spinal Cord, Spinal Cord Diseases
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Aged 18-70 years old inclusive
- Traumatic and non-traumatic tetraplegic patient following chronic incomplete (AIS C or D) SCI injury (sustained at least three months ago)
- Referred to the Sheffield Spinal Injuries Centre
- Be able to provide written informed consent or verbal consent in the presence of an independent witness
- Spasticity affecting upper limbs with a Modified Ashworth scale (MAS) 2 or above
- Stable medical treatment for at least 1 week before and 1 week after TMS application
- Stable medical condition
Exclusion Criteria:
- Aged less than 18 years old
- Lack the mental capacity to consent
- Ventilated patients with sedation
- Very acute (<3 months) SCI patients
- Implanted electrical devices such as pacemakers, Concomitant neurological conditions, including any history of epilepsy
- Significant joint-related limitation of passive range of movement
- Unable to attend all TMS sessions
- Pregnancy
- Inability to tolerate TBS
- Significant upper limb contractures
Sites / Locations
- Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Centre, Northern General Hospital.
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Sham Comparator
Active iTBS
Sham iTBS
iTBS will be delivered using the 50Hz, 600 pulses protocol for 10 sessions over a period of two weeks. The hand representation of the primary motor cortex will targeted using a circular coil held over the vertex of skull. Intensity will be set to 80% of Resting Motor Threshold (RMT), which will be determined visually by the lowest percentage of stimulator output which can cause upper limb motor twitch in at least 5 out of 10 attempts.
Sham iTBS will be delivered using the 50Hz, 600 pulses protocol for 10 sessions over a period of two weeks. Intensity will be set at 80% RMT. Circular coil will be held over vertex of skull but angled away to ensure no neural stimulation.