Pulsed magnetic stimulation Managing spasticity in spinal cord injury
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study of pulsed magnetic stimulation of the spinal cord - Managing spasticity in spinal cord injury.
IRAS ID
153997
Contact name
Andrew Roberts
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
researchregistry1226, Researchregistry.com
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, days
Research summary
Spasticity (tightening, spasming and/or contractions of muscles) is a commonly encountered consequence of injuries to the central nervous system. Spasticity has an adverse effect on quality of life and function of patients with spinal cord injuries, stroke and cerebral palsy. Conventional management consists of medication, injections of botulinum toxin and occasionally extensive surgical interventions. Several studies have examined the use of repetitive magnetic stimulation of the brain and of peripheral nerves to produce long-term depression of spasticity. Recently, Theta burst sequence low-dose magnetic stimulation has been shown to mark unused synaptic connections for deletion. By using pulsed magnetic stimulation of the spinal cord the abnormal connections arising from injury may be identified for deletion, therefore potentially minimising the mis-firing circuits.
We plan, in this pilot study, to test whether firstly the application of pulsed magnetic stimulation of the spinal cord is achievable in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and secondly whether it has an effect on lower limb spasticity. These results will be used to help design a larger trial, to expand the numbers of participants and variety of pathologies treated.
Participants (in-patients at the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries) with stable SCI will be randomised to receive either intermittent pulsed magnetic stimulation or no stimulation. Patients will be blinded as to whether they are receiving stimulation (the machine will be active up and placed in the same position for both groups, except the sham group will have the stimulation coil applied in an orientation that does not deliver the magnetic field to the spinal cord). Participants will receive stimulation treatment over the lumbar spine every day for 14 days. Spasticity will be measured both before the treatment (at day 0), at the end of the treatment (day 14).
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0103
Date of REC Opinion
30 May 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion