Improving Walking After Spinal Cord Injury

Technology
Standing/walking/mobility
Online since 20 January 2026, updated today

About this trial

This trial is enrolling 20 participants with chronic, incomplete spinal cord injury to test the effect of paired associative stimulation (PAS) on walking function. PAS includes loud auditory stimulation and peripheral electrical stimulation of leg muscles, combined with locomotor training. If included, participants will be randomly assigned to treadmill-based walking training with body-weight support while receiving either active or sham PAS. Final testing of walking function will be performed after 12 days.

Included participants

Gender
All
Age
18 - 75 years
Injury level
C1 - T10
  • Severity (AIS)?
  • AIS-C
    AIS-D
    Time since injury
    ≥ 6 months
  • Injury type
  • Traumatic

    Non-traumatic

    Healthy volunteers
    No
    C1-T10
    Additionally, participants must
    NOT have metal implants in the head

    What’s involved

    Type

    Technology

    Details

    - Participants will be randomly assigned to treadmill-based walking training with body-weight support while receiving either active or sham paired associative stimulation (PAS). - PAS combines loud auditory stimulation with peripheral electrical stimulation of leg muscles, delivered alongside walking training. - Final testing of walking function will be performed after 12 days.

    Potential benefits

    Main benefits

    Standing/walking/mobility

    Additional benefits

    General health

    Mental health and psychosocial factors

    Spasticity

    Good to know: Potential benefits are defined as outcomes that are being measured during and/or after the trial.

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more


    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting soon
    • Trial start date
    • 15 Nov 2025
    • Organisation
    • Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting soon
    • Trial start date
    • 15 Nov 2025
    • Organisation
    • Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more