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Co-contraction and Corticoreticular Excitability in Spinal Cord Injury
Sponsor: Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan
Summary
This study is to elucidate whether hyperexcitability of the cortico-reticulospinal tract leads to abnormal co-contraction and spasticity of elbow flexors in persons with cervical cervical spinal cord injury. By measuring the supplementary motor area (SMA) regulation of the StartReact response, it is possible to quantify whether the cortico-reticular pathway is excessively active or weakened in these persons. Participants will 1. Be assessed for upper limb function 2. Receive motor evoked potential of tested biceps muscle 3. Receive a standard StartReact paradigm to measure the reticulospinal excitability. 4. Received a conditioning-test paradigm to assess corticoreticular excitability. 5. Conduct a sustained isometric elbow extension task
Official title: The Relationship Between Co-contraction and Corticoreticular Excitability in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
20 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
20
Start Date
2026-07-27
Completion Date
2027-06-30
Last Updated
2026-10-14
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Corticoreticular excitability and co-contraction measurement
The more spastic side will be chosen as the tested side graded by the modified Ashworth Scale. Corticoreticular excitability will be assessed using a conditioning-test paradigm that combines the StartReact response with non-invasive transcranial magnetic stimulation over the supplementary motor area. The co-contraction index will be calculated from the electromyography of the biceps and triceps brachii during sustained isometric elbow flexion and extension tasks.
Locations (1)
Division of Neural Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Taipei, Taiwan