DiSCIoser: Improving Arm Sensorimotor Functions After Spinal Cord Injury Via Brain-Computer Interface Training

The goal of this clinical trial is to validate the efficacy of a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)-based intervention for hand motor recovery in subacute cervical spinal cord injured (SCI) patients during rehabilitation. The study will provide evidence for the clinical/neurophysiological efficacy of the BCI intervention as a means to promote cortical sensorimotor plasticity (remote plasticity) and thus maximize recovery of arm functions in subacute cervical SCI. Participants will undergo an extensive clinical, neurophysiological, neuropsychological and neuroimaging assessment before and after a BCI training based on motor Imagery (MI) of hands. The intervention will be delivered with a system that was originally validated for stroke patients and adapted to the aims of this study. Researchers will compare the BCI intervention with an active MI training without BCI support (active comparator).

Inclusion Criteria:subacute cervical SCI (30-90 days from event)classification according to ISNCSCI AIS A-D, lesion level C1-T1Upper Extremity Motor Score (UEMS) < 40Exclusion Criteria:other conditions (present or previous) potentially affecting sensorimotor upper limb functioninability to give informed consent and understand the requirements for the training