RecruitingPhase I/IIInterventional

Testing a novel home-based approach for strengthening motor pathways

This study explores a new home-based device, the MoveMend Stimulator, to help people with hand weakness caused by a spinal cord injury. The injury can damage the pathways between the brain and hand muscles. This device works by combining a hand movement with a small electrical pulse to the wrist. When these happen at the same time, it can help strengthen these connections, much like learning a new skill. We want to see if this method can improve hand function in people living with a spinal cord injury. Participants will use the device at home for six weeks and attend three check-up visits. It's a Phase I/II study, meaning we're looking at safety and if it shows promise.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Phase I/II

Sponsor

Newcastle University

Enrolment target

Start

04 May 2026

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2026

Individuals who have had a cervical spinal cord injury which resulted in hand weakness

What is this study about?

Many people who have a spinal cord injury experience weakness or have trouble moving their hands. This happens because the injury can damage the 'pathways' — like electrical wires — that send signals from the brain to the muscles. Even if some of these pathways survive the injury, they might not be strong enough to help muscles work as they used to. This can make everyday tasks challenging.

Our research team has developed a new approach to try and strengthen these surviving pathways. Imagine your brain and hand muscles are trying to talk to each other; this device helps them have a clearer conversation. It combines a simple hand movement, done at a specific time, with a small, gentle electrical pulse delivered to a nerve in your wrist. When these two things happen together at just the right moment, it encourages the brain and spinal cord to make their connections stronger. Think of it like practising a new skill – the more you practise correctly, the better you become. We've already seen promising results in healthy people, and now we want to find out if it can help people with a spinal cord injury improve their hand function.

This study aims to understand if our new approach can truly make a difference in hand strength and movement for those with spinal cord injuries. By strengthening these brain-to-muscle connections, we hope to make hands work more effectively, potentially improving daily life. This is an early-stage study (Phase I/II), meaning we are carefully checking for safety and seeing how well it works before moving on to larger studies.

Key takeaways

This study is for people with hand weakness after a spinal cord injury.
It tests a new home device combining hand movements with gentle electrical pulses.
The aim is to strengthen brain-to-hand connections and improve hand function.
Participation involves three clinic visits and six weeks of home device use.
The electrical stimulation and brain tests are considered safe.
Participants may or may not see improvements in hand strength or function.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or older who have experienced a spinal cord injury in their neck area (cervical spine) at least one year ago, and as a result, have weakness in their hands. You should be able to make a hand movement accurately when you see a visual signal, like a cue on a screen.

There are certain reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have an implanted device like a pacemaker, ongoing pressure on your spinal cord, another spinal cord disease, a history of seizures or head injuries, or serious uncontrolled health problems like heart disease. We also can't include you if you're bothered by loud noises.

Quick self-check

Are you 18 years old or over?
Did you have a spinal cord injury (in your neck area) more than a year ago?
Do you have hand weakness because of your spinal cord injury?
Can you move your hand accurately when prompted by a visual cue?
Do you NOT have an implanted medical device (like a pacemaker)?
Have you NOT had seizures or serious head injuries?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you'll be involved for a total of 12 weeks. You'll visit a rehabilitation gym or Newcastle University Medical School three times, with six weeks between each visit. During these visits, we'll do some tests to check your hand strength, how well you can use your hands, and how strong the connections are between your brain and hand. These might include standard clinical tests, measuring your grip, and using gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation techniques.

Between these visits, you'll use a small device called the MoveMend Stimulator at home for six weeks. This device connects to a simple game on a mobile phone app. To play, you'll make a hand movement when you see a cue on your screen. Each time you do this, the device will give a small electrical pulse to a nerve in your wrist. It's not painful, but you might feel a mild tingling. We hope you'll aim to play the game for about 20 minutes each day.

Participants will be split into two groups by chance. One group will use the device for the first six weeks, and the other group will use it for the second six weeks. This means everyone gets to try the device, just at different times. You can also choose to have a friend or family member get an automatic reminder if you miss a day with the game, but you can opt out of this at any time.

Potential risks and benefits

You might find that your hand strength or how well you can use your hands improves as a result of taking part in this study, though this isn't guaranteed. The electrical pulses used are similar to those routinely used in medical tests and are considered very safe. Some people might experience a mild, short-lived skin irritation from the sticky pads used. The brain stimulation tests done during visits are also widely used and are considered low risk. You are free to stop participating in the study at any time without giving a reason.

Locations (1)

Newcastle University
Newcastle Upon Tyne, England

Common questions

What is a spinal cord injury?

A spinal cord injury happens when there is damage to the spinal cord, which can affect messages between the brain and body parts like the hands.

What is the MoveMend Stimulator?

It's a small device you use at home with a phone app, designed to send gentle electrical pulses to your wrist when you make a hand movement.

Will the electrical pulses hurt?

No, they shouldn't be painful. You might feel a gentle tingling sensation, similar to what you feel during some medical nerve tests.

How often do I need to use the device?

The goal is to use the device for about 20 minutes each day as part of a game on your phone, for six weeks total.

Where does the study take place?

You'll have three visits at either Newcastle University or a rehabilitation gym in Bristol or Gatwick. You'll use the device at home between visits.

How to find out more

Lillian Clements

lillian.clements@newcastle.ac.uk +44 7951202024 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.