Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

This study focuses on individuals with chronic spinal cord injuries and aims to understand how a combination of task practice and a technique called transcutaneous cervical spinal cord stimulation can help improve motor functions. This type of stimulation involves using electrical currents applied through the skin on the neck area. The research is particularly interested in seeing how different levels of stimulation might affect muscle tightness, known as spasticity, which is a common problem for those with spinal cord injuries. Understanding these effects could lead to better management and improvement of motor functions for people living with these injuries. Participants will engage in specific tasks that are intended to practice and improve their motor skills, while at the same time receiving the spinal cord stimulation. The stimulation is non-invasive, as it is applied through the skin, and will be administered at varying frequencies to assess its impact on muscle co-contraction and spasticity. The study will measure changes in muscle tightness and overall motor function to evaluate the effectiveness of this combined approach. Through this, the research aims to find the most beneficial stimulation settings to help reduce muscle stiffness and enhance movement abilities.