This study evaluates whether combining Spinal Cord Associative Plasticity (SCAP) with task-oriented hand exercises can improve hand and arm function in individuals with chronic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). SCAP pairs brain stimulation with cervical spinal cord stimulation based on the principle of “fire together, wire together,” with the goal of strengthening neural pathways involved in motor function.
Researchers aim to determine the optimal combination of SCAP stimulation parameters—including the pairing interval between brain and spinal cord stimulation, stimulation frequency, number of stimulation bouts, spacing between bouts, and the order of SCAP relative to hand exercise—to maximize improvements in hand function. Participants will complete up to 53 intervention, verification, and follow-up sessions over approximately 6 to 10 months, during which researchers will evaluate both clinical outcomes and neurophysiological responses.
Participants range from 18-85 years of age and must have some hand muscle function.
