Spinal Nerve Stimulation to Reduce Muscle Stiffness in Cerebral Palsy

Researchers at the University of Washington are testing a device called transcutaneous spinal stimulation (tSCS) to see if it can help reduce muscle stiffness and improve walking in people with cerebral palsy. The device uses gentle electrical pulses applied to the skin over your lower spine while you walk on a treadmill. This is an early-stage study to understand how this treatment affects the body right away after one session.

People with cerebral palsy often have tight, stiff muscles that make walking harder and limit their daily activities. Previous small studies suggested that spinal stimulation might reduce this stiffness, but researchers don't yet understand exactly why or how well it works. This study will help answer those questions.