View clinical trials related to Spinal Cord Injuries.
Filter by:The purpose of this research study is to determine the effect of mechanical vibrations on bones of persons with spinal cord injury.
Individuals with neurological deficiencies such as those who have spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis often lose their ability to ambulate over ground. Loss of functional mobility not only impedes everyday life, but may also affect many systems and organs in the body. The investigators are interested in obtaining a wide variety of data in order to obtain a better understanding of changes that occur as a result of receiving Lokomat therapy. The investigators will be studying body composition, cardiac, pulmonary, endocrine, metabolic, and molecular changes after a 12-week clinical therapy program.
In persons with SCI, because of inherent considerations, the use of mechanical stimulation has not been studied to determine improvement in bone mass. To achieve maximum transmission of the vibration from a vibrating plate to the lower body, the legs must be extended and the feet firmly placed against the surface plate of the device. Thus, these logistical considerations must be addressed to perform this mechanical intervention in persons with SCI. In those with complete or almost complete motor injury, there is lack of musculoskeletal function below the level of the lesion, which would prevent rigid straight leg extension and pressing one's feet against a surface, regardless of the angle of tilt that would permit adequate transmission of impulse in an able-bodied individual (preliminary data). However, in one subject with SCI, there was measurable, albeit low level, transmission of vibration with increasing angles of tilt (preliminary data). Because of the ability to transmit some signal in an individual with complete SCI, the possibility exists that with forms or mechanical support/manipulation, greater signal transmission may be possible. The study will be able to determine the best angle to transmit mechanical vibration through the lower body of SCI patients.
Iron overload is a life-threatening condition that can lead to liver disease, cardiac disease, diabetes and arthritis. Simultaneous supplementation with both iron and AA may place individuals with SCI at risk for iron overload as well as oxidative damage by iron-generated free radicals. Both conditions of high and low iron stores may present with common signs and symptoms. Accurate diagnosis of iron disorder should consider CRP, hematocrit, hemoglobin, serum iron, TIBC, percent saturation of iron binding capacity, serum ferritin and hepcidin. The investigators are proposing a study to determine the effect of concurrent AA and iron supplementation on iron status of individuals with SCI. The investigators goal is to identify abnormal status that may be attributed to simultaneous supplementation of iron and AA to develop future supplementation protocols in this population for optimal iron status.
The purpose of the study is to find out if the use of the drug Riluzole is both safe and improves outcome in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).
The purpose of this study is to assess life satisfaction and long-term outcomes (i.e., medical and psychosocial) of adults who sustained spinal cord injuries (SCI) as children or adolescents.
Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is used as a measure of the body's ability to produce growth hormone. Growth hormone is important for muscle tissue as well as many other tissues in the body. Growth hormone (GH) and IGF-I have been shown to be reduced in many persons with SCI. Baclofen is a FDA approved drug that is used to treat spasticity. Persons receiving long-term baclofen therapy have been demonstrated to have increased growth hormone and IGF-I levels. IGF-I levels will be determined before and after treatment with baclofen. In this study, the investigators will determine the minimum dose of baclofen at which improvements in GH and IGF-1 levels occur.
People with mobility disabilities are at greater risk than the general population for incurring health problems. Many of these conditions are preventable through behavior and lifestyle changes such as exercise and physical activity. Recent evidence suggests that people with disabilities experience the same physiologic response to exercise as the general population. Nonetheless, nearly three-fourths of those with disabilities report being entirely sedentary or not active enough to achieve health benefits. Despite some knowledge of issues that limit physical activity among this population, few studies have investigated methods for promoting physical activity adoption among people with disabilities, including wheelchair users. The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention to promote physical activity adoption over 6 months and maintenance of physical activity over another 6 months by community-dwelling manual wheelchair users.
The purpose of this research is to develop tools enable people who are paralyzed to operate technology and access computers. These tools are called brain computer interfaces (BCIs). BCIs would let a person use brain signals to operate technology.
Vitamin D aids in the body's ability to absorb calcium, it is a vital component in bone formation and break down. Reduced levels of vitamin D can indicate a vitamin deficiency and may depress serum calcium levels. The following is a list of common causes of vitamin D deficiency: lack of dairy products, alcohol usage, elderly, lack of exposure to sunlight, individuals with reduced mobility, GI malabsorption problems, dark complexion, severe liver damage, and renal failure. Many of these factors can be found in individuals with spinal cord injury. SCI results in disuse bone loss after acute injury, which continues with duration of injury. The goal of this study is to determine the effects of vitamin D and calcium supplements on calcium metabolism and vitamin D deficiency in individuals undergoing functional electrical stimulation (FES) stand retraining (SRT).