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Spinal Cord Stimulation for Children With Cerebral Palsy
Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation to Treat Spasticity in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Who can join
Ages 5 to 17 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: A. Patient-Participant Group (Children with Cerebral Palsy) * Children aged 5 to 17 years with a confirmed diagnosis of cerebral palsy. * Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Levels I to IV, able to walk with or without assistance (walker or cane). This classification will have been completed by Dr. Martin Piazza and his Movement Disorders clinic team. * Stable medical condition without recent surgeries or interventions that could affect motor function. * Must be able to communicate basic needs and follow simple instructions. * Provision of informed consent by a parent or legal guardian, with assent from the child as appropriate. B. Control Group (Children without Neurological Diagnoses) * Children aged 5 to 17 years with no history of neurological diagnoses. * Must be fully ambulatory without assistance. * Must be able to communicate basic needs and follow simple instructions. * Provision of informed consent by a parent or legal guardian, with assent from the child as appropriate. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of implanted medical devices (e.g., baclofen pumps, deep brain stimulators) that may interfere with TSCS. * Severe scoliosis or spinal deformities that could affect the delivery of tSCS. * Uncontrolled epilepsy or a history of frequent seizures. * Severe cognitive impairments limiting the ability to comply with study procedures. * Skin conditions or open wounds at the site of stimulation. * Participation in other interventional studies that may confound results. * Any serious disease or disorder (e.g. cancer, severe cardiac or respiratory disease, etc.) that could affect ability to participate in this study.
About the study
The goal of this clinical trial is to help understand spinal cord excitability in children with cerebral palsy compared to neurologically typical children. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* What are the mechanisms of spinal circuit hyperexcitability in CP? * Can transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation reduce spinal circuit hyperexcitability?
Participants with cerebral palsy will be asked to complete:
* Movement and strength exercises * Mild, non-invasive stimulation on the back and legs that feels like a light tap. * Gentle, non-invasive tests that help us see how the brain and the spinal cord communicate with the muscles
What is being tested
- Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation (tSCS) (device)
Sponsor: Martin Piazza · Participants: 30 · Started: Mar 30, 2026
Contact the study team
- Bailey McDonald, BS · Phone: 412-692-9966
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07516067
Locations in the U.S.
| Pennsylvania | UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.