Spinal Cord Stimulation Combined With Physical Therapy in Post-Stroke Upper-Limb Motor Hemiparesis

Exclusion Criteria13

• Presence of any serious disease or disorder (ex. Neurological conditions other than stroke, cancer, severe cardiac or respiratory disease, renal failure, etc.) that could affect their ability to participate in this study
• Considered to be at high-risk of recurrent stroke as evident from their medical history or upon judgment of the study physician
• Presence of post-stroke central pain, other forms of pain or other constraints such as joint contractures in the paretic arm that are serious enough to prevent or affect the correct execution of the physical training protocol as judged by the study therapist
• A score on the Short Blessed Test assessment scale lower than 9
• Female participants of child-bearing age who are pregnant or breastfeeding during the study
• Participants that cannot suspend their antiplatelets and/or anticoagulant therapy for two weeks around the time of surgery
• Existence of any implanted medical device that is not MRI safe and/or any active medical devices even if it is MRI safe
• Implanted spinal fusion and stabilization devices such as plates and rods between the C2 and T3 spinal vertebra
• Obstructed or restricted epidural spinal canal to the point of hindering or increasing the risk of implant of the spinal leads as judged by the study surgeon upon screening imaging
• Severe claustrophobia that prevents execution of the required MRI imaging sessions
• Taking anti-spasticity or anti-epileptic medications
• T-score higher than 63 on the 18-question Brief Symptoms Inventory (BSI-18) who have undergone discussions with and been deemed unsuitable by the Principal Investigator and a study physician
• Potential participants who may be excluded on initial screening may discuss possible medication changes with their physician.