Current disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) aim to prevent the development of new lesions; unfortunately, no current FDA-approved therapies promote central nervous system (CNS) repair mechanisms. Thus, strategies to promote functional recovery from lesion-related deficits in adults with MS remain an unmet need. This is a pilot study designed to test the feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy of non-invasive (transcutaneous, applied by surface electrodes over the skin) electrical spinal cord stimulation combined with occupational therapy for restoring upper extremity sensorimotor function in adults with multiple sclerosis. Participants with multiple sclerosis and impaired upper extremity function will complete two separate 6-week intervention sessions: 6 weeks of occupational therapy combined with transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation and 6 weeks of occupational therapy alone. The order of these interventions will be randomized, and each intervention will be separated by a 6-week washout period. The investigators hypothesize that: 1. transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation combined with therapy will be feasible and acceptable by participants 2. transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation combined with therapy will lead to improvements in upper extremity function compared to occupational therapy alone 3. transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation combined with therapy will lead to improvements in symptoms related to quality of life (pain, spasticity, and bladder symptoms) compared to occupational therapy alone
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
4
A two-channel transcutaneous spinal cord stimulator (SCONE, SpineX, Inc.) will deliver non-invasive electrical stimulation during hand therapy sessions. For each session, two self-adhesive hydrogel electrodes will be positioned along the midline of the C3-C4 and C6-C7 spinous processes over the skin as cathodes to stimulate the cervical spinal cord at two vertebral levels. An additional pair of electrodes will be symmetrically positioned over either the iliac crests or shoulders, functioning as anodes. The electrical current employed for the transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation is biphasic, featuring a 1-millisecond pulse width, a base frequency of 30 Hz, and an overlapping frequency of 10 kHz. Stimulation intensity will range from 0 to 120 milliamperes (mA), with incremental increases of 5 mA until reaching the level that facilitates voluntary movement. The stimulation amplitude will be fine-tuned for each specific activity based on the therapist's observation.
The hand therapy program is comprised of intensive, progressive, functional task practice following a standardized protocol. The protocol consists of repetitive activities of gross upper limb movement, isolated finger movements, bimanual task performance, simple and complex pinch, and grip performance. Several activities with various difficulty levels are designated for each category, and the participant will perform 1-2 activities within each category in each training session. Activities are chosen according to the participant's ability, interests, and needs and are modified as function progresses over time.
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, United States
RECRUITINGNine-Hole Peg Test
Nine-Hole Peg Test is a standardized, quantitative assessment used to measure finger dexterity. Score is time it takes to complete task (range 15-180 seconds). Higher score = worse outcome.
Time frame: 6 weeks
NeuroQoL Upper Extremity Function
A self-report of health-related quality of life for adults with neurological disorders. Score ranges from 8-40; higher score = better function
Time frame: 6 weeks
Participant Drop-out rate
Percentage of participants who complete the intervention protocol. (0-100%)
Time frame: 6 weeks
Action Research Arm Test
A 19-item clinician-administered observational measure to assess upper extremity performance (coordination, dexterity, and functioning). Items comprising the ARAT are categorized into four subscales (grasp: 6 items, score 0-18; grip: 4 items, score 0-12; pinch: 6 items, score 0-18; and gross movement: 3 items, score 0-9) and arranged in order of decreasing difficulty, with the most difficult task examined first, followed by the least difficult task. Scores are aggregated to a final scale (ranging from 0-57); Higher scores indicate better performance.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Box and Blocks Test
Measures unilateral gross manual dexterity. The test kit comprises a wooden box divided into two compartments by a partition and 150 blocks. Participants move, one by one, the maximum number of blocks from one compartment of a box to another of equal size within 60 seconds. Score ranges from 0-150; higher score indicates better function.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Grip force
measurement of hand strengths using dynamometry. Measured in pounds (score ranges from 0-200); higher score indicates better function.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Pinch force
measurement of hand strengths using dynamometry. Measured in pounds (score ranges from 0-100); higher score indicates better function.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Modified Ashworth Scale
A clinician-administered test for resistance of a joint to the passive movement. This scale grades the muscle tone from 0 (normal) to 4 (severe spasticity). Higher score indicates worse function
Time frame: 6 weeks
Patient-reported Impact of Spasticity Measure
A patient-reported outcome questionnaire assessing the impact of spasticity on function and quality of life over the past week. Score ranges from 0-164; higher scores indicate worse function.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Modified Fatigue Impact Scale
A patient-reported outcome questionnaire. It is a modified form of the Fatigue Impact Scale based on items derived from interviews with multiple sclerosis patients concerning how fatigue impacts their lives. This instrument provides an assessment of the effects of fatigue on physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning. Score ranges from 0-84; higher score indicates worse function.
Time frame: 6 weeks
PROMIS Pain Interference
A patient-reported outcome questionnaire that measures the self-reported consequences of pain on relevant aspects of a person's life and may include the extent to which pain hinders engagement with social, cognitive, emotional, physical, and recreational activities. Score ranges from 4-20; higher score indicates worse function.
Time frame: 6 weeks
PROMIS Pain Intensity
A patient-reported outcome numeric rating scale of pain over the past 7 days. Score ranges from0-10; higher score indicates worse pain
Time frame: 6 weeks
Bowel Control Scale
A patient-reported outcome questionnaire for bowel management. This is a subsection of the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Inventory. Score ranges from 0-26; higher score indicates worse function.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Bladder Control Scale
A patient-reported outcome questionnaire for bladder management. This is a subsection of the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Inventory. Score ranges from 0-22; higher score indicates worse function.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Global Impression of Change
A patient and clinician-reported scale of change pre- to post-intervention, ranging from 1 (indicating "very much improved") to 7 (indicating "very much worse").
Time frame: 6 weeks
Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities
A self-report of health-related quality of life in 17 domains and sub-domains for adults with neurological disorders. Score ranges from 4-40; higher scores indicates better function.
Time frame: 6 weeks
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