View clinical trials related to Spinal Cord Injuries.
Filter by:To determine the biophysical impact of biophysical Impact of Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation (TSCS) within a single session. We hypothesize that subjects will demonstrate increased volitional muscle strength with TSCS. This will be assessed by isokinetic strength testing of post-injury dominant-side knee extension. Subjects will be tested in both Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation and sham conditions.
The investigators have recently shown in two pilot incomplete SCI patients that long-term paired associative stimulation is capable of restoring voluntary control over some paralyzed muscles and enhancing motor output in the weak muscles (1). In this study, the investigators will administer long-term paired associative stimulation to incomplete SCI patients in a long-term manner, keeping each patient in the study for as long as continuous improvement is observed.
Multiple studies in the spinal cord injury (SCI) population have documented deficits in learning and memory (LM) and processing speed (PS) that adversely impact daily life and the ability to benefit from rehabilitation. The investigators have previously attributed the cognitive deficits demonstrated in the SCI population to low blood pressure (BP) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) and are currently conducting a study to determine the effect of a 30-day elevation in BP (using midodrine hydrochloride - an alpha agonist) on CBF and cognitive performance compared to placebo in hypotensive individuals with SCI. In addition, the investigators believe that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) may improve cognition independent of changes in BP and CBF in individuals with SCI. The current randomized clinical trial (RCT) will examine the efficacy of 2 treatment protocols shown to be effective in improving cognitive performance in other neurologically impaired populations for use in persons with SCI demonstrating (1) LM impairment and/or (2) PS impairment on objective measures of cognitive functioning during a complete Neuropsychological assessment. Two methods of outcome assessment will be used to examine treatment impact: (1) a traditional Neuropsychological assessment (NP) and (2) an assessment of global functioning (AGF) composed of broader outcome measures that examine the impact of the treatment on everyday life activities. In this way, the investigators will be able to objectively evaluate the presence or absence of changes in memory performance through a NP assessment, while also evaluating the impact of this treatment protocol on everyday life through the AGF. While most studies evaluating the efficacy of cognitive retraining usually employ a pre- and post-training evaluation, such evaluations have been criticized for their lack of ecological validity (i.e., real world generalizability). The present design allows the assessment of the efficacy of these treatment techniques within an SCI population using traditional measures, as well as the assessment of the impact that treatment has on everyday life. The investigators will additionally evaluate the long-term efficacy by including a 6-month post-treatment follow-up. Few studies examine long-term effects, but given the time, labor and expense involved, it is critical to demonstrate long-term efficacy.
Bladder and sexual dysfunction consistently ranks as one of the top disorders affecting quality of life after spinal cord injury. The insights of how activity-based training affects bladder function may prove to be useful to other patient populations with bladder and sexual dysfunction such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, and stroke, as well as stimulate investigations of training's effects within other systems such as bowel dysfunction. Locomotor training could help promote functional recovery and any insights gained from these studies will enhance further investigation of the effect of bladder functioning after spinal cord injury. In addition, as suggested by a study of one of our initial participants, a reduction in the use and/or dosage of medication to enhance sexual function is a possible outcome, medications which carry risks and side effects.
Spinal cord injuries have become increasingly frequent due mainly to the increase in urban violence. The growing number of automobile collisions and violence-related events merits particular attention, as such occurrences can lead to death or disability stemming from a spinal injury. The severity of the consequences depends on the location affected and degree of destruction of afferent and efferent spinal cord pathways, with higher, more extensive injuries leading to less physical fitness and functional independence. Unfortunately, injured neurons of the central nervous system are unable to regenerate following a spinal injury and spinal cord regeneration is therefore a major challenge to researchers in the fields of neuroscience and neurologia. Upon receiving an external stimulus, the central nervous system is believed to adapt and reorganize itself using mechanisms to compensate for neuronal loss and promote, even if partially, the remodeling of remaining synaptic connections, leading to new neuronal sprouting. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has proven to be a possible option for the stimulation of the repair process in the central nervous system. It is plausible that this type of therapy can offer the same benefits previously established in other types of tissues, the stimulation of bone formation, neovascularization and the regeneration of peripheral nerves. Research groups have investigated the efficacy of LLLT for the treatment of spinal cord injuries and have demonstrated that laser therapy administered simultaneously to an injured sciatic nerve and corresponding segment of the spinal cord accelerates the regeneration process of the injured peripheral nerve.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) holds promise as a new option for patients suffering from treatment-resistant chronic pain, but current technology is unable to reliably achieve long-term pain symptom relief. A "one-size-fits-all" approach of continuous, 24/7 brain stimulation has helped patients with some movement disorders, but the key to reducing pain may be the activation of stimulation only when needed, as this may help keep the brain from adapting to stimulation effects. By expanding the technological capabilities of an investigative brain stimulation device, the investigators will enable the delivery of stimulation only when pain signals in the brain are high, and then test whether this more personalized stimulation leads to reliable symptom relief for chronic pain patients over extended periods of time.
The purpose of this study is to determine the usefulness of a drug, denosumab, to prevent the loss of bone in participants legs due to SCI. This drug is FDA approved to treat osteoporosis in women after menopause who have an increased risk for fractures, to treat women receiving certain treatments for breast cancer who have an increased risk of fractures, and to treat bone loss in men receiving certain treatments for prostate cancer who have increased risk for fractures. This drug is considered experimental for the purpose of this study. Study participation will last for approximately 12 months (6 study visits total), visits will range from1-4.5 hours depending on the number of tests that need to be completed. The study is a double-blinded placebo trail in which the participant will be randomly assigned to on of two groups, Denosumab injections or placebo - inactive salt solution injections.
This study will evaluate a method to optimize parameter settings in epidural spinal cord stimulation used to recover lower extremity volitional movement. The study will also characterize improvement in autonomic function (such as blood pressure control) and other functions related to spinal cord injury.
People with spinal cord injury are at increased risk for overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and decreased quality of life compared With able bodied. This pilot aims to assess the impact of a nutrition intervention that combines several methods to help people change their lifestyle. The pilot project combines individual interviews and personal lifestyle goals (diet) with group classes for people with long-standing spinal cord injury. In addition to nutrition theory and practical exercises for diet-planning, motivational interviewing and mindfullness are incorporated into the course. The course is interdisciplinary, but is led primarily by a dietitian. Data is collected before the course starts and right after the 9-week course ends. The measurements involves self-perceived quality of life, food diary, weight, waist circumference and body composition (measured by BIA and DXA).
The general population is aging, today 12% of the United States population is older than 65 and it is estimated that by 2020 the number of people in the United States older than 65 will outnumber children younger than 5. As the general population ages, the spinal cord injury (SCI) population is also aging and it is estimated that 14% is older than 60. Although persons with SCI are living longer, life expectancy remains below that of the general population with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases accounting for more than 25% of all deaths since 1995. Similar to findings in the general population, BP dysregulation may impact cognitive function, and investigators reported poorer performance on tasks of memory and attention processing in hypotensive individuals with SCI compared to a normotensive SCI cohort. Thus, it is imperative that investigators work to minimize the impact of cognitive deficits on these aspects of life quality in persons with SCI as they age. Therefore the goals of this study are: Study 1) to compare cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and cognitive function and fMRI between older individuals with SCI (50-75 years) and older age-matched controls and Study 2) to determine 3-5 year longitudinal changes in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and cognitive function and fMRI in relatively young individuals with SCI (28-54 years) compared to relatively young age-matched controls.