View clinical trials related to Paraplegia.
Filter by:The purpose of this study is to assess the safety of autologous human Schwann cells (ahSC) transplantation in subjects with subacute SCI. For humans with subacute SCI, we hypothesize that axons might show improved function if myelin repair is induced with the implantation of ahSC. In addition spinal cord cavitation may be reduced, and neural sprouting and plasticity may be enhanced via neurotrophic effects.
Corsets are often used in the management of patients with a spinal cord injury. They may help to rigidify the patients' trunk which might help some patients to sit upright; their use may also reduce the sensation of dyspnea some patients have while sitting upright. Due to spinal cord injury, abdominal muscles are weakened which can contribute to alter the respiratory function of the patients. But the corset by rigidifying the abdominal wall can improve the efficiency of the respiratory muscles in some patients and reduce dyspnea in the sitting position for some patients. However, when patients with spinal cord injury are followed over time, one can observe that some patients discontinue corset use. The investigators observed that the patients who pursue the corset use still have a significant improvement of their respiratory function with the corset while the patients who have discontinued the use have improved their respiratory function in the upright position (without the corset). As of now, the investigators do not know whether the use of the corset is discontinued because of a spontaneous improvement of the respiratory function or whether discontinuing the use of the corset may help to develop abdominal spasticity and therefore to improve respiratory function. The investigators seek to investigate this issue in order to optimize the management of patients who present spinal cord injury.
Background: - Some nerve and muscle disorders that start early in life (before age 25), like some forms of muscular dystrophy, can run in families. However, the genetic causes of these disorders are not known. Also, doctors do not fully understand how symptoms of these disorders change over time. Researchers want to learn more about genetic nerve and muscle disorders that start in childhood by studying affected people and their family members, as well as healthy volunteers. Objectives: - To better understand nerve and muscle disorders that start early in life and run in families. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 4 weeks old with childhood-onset muscular and nerve disorders, including those who have a later onset of a disorder that typically has childhood onset. - Affected and unaffected family members of the individuals with muscular and nerve disorders. - Healthy volunteers at least 4 weeks old with no nerve or muscle disorders. Design: - Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. Genetic information will be collected from blood, saliva, cheek swab, or skin samples. Urine samples may also be collected. - Healthy volunteers and unaffected family members will have imaging studies of the muscles. These studies will include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound scans. Results will be compared with those from the affected participants. - All participants with nerve and muscle disorders will have multiple tests, including the following: - Imaging studies of the muscles, including ultrasound and MRI scans. - Imaging studies of the bones, such as x-rays and DEXA scans. - Heart and lung function tests. - Eye exams. - Nerve and muscle electrical activity tests and biopsies. - Video and photo image collection of affected muscles. - Speech, language, and swallowing evaluation. - Lumbar puncture to collect spinal fluid for study. - Tests of movement, attention, thinking, and coordination. - Participants with nerve and muscle disorders will return to the Clinical Center every year. They will repeat the tests and studies at these visits....
The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether there are functional improvements in arm muscles and movments for spinal cord injured indviduals after performing video gaming.
The purpose of this study is to determine if individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) who remain unable to walk normally 1 year after their SCIs are able to sense and move the affected legs better after 10-13 weeks of treatment with a new robotic therapy device. The hypothesis is that using the AMES device on the legs of chronic subjects with incomplete SCI will result in improved strength, sensation in the legs, and improved functional gait in the treated limbs.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate a surgically implanted functional electrical stimulation (FES) system to facilitate stability of the trunk and hips. FES involves applying small electric currents to the nerves, which cause the muscles to contract. This study evaluates how stabilizing and stiffening the trunk with FES can change the way spinal cord injured volunteers sit, breathe, reach, push a wheelchair, or roll in bed.
It is well appreciated that an extreme sedentary lifestyle from paralysis, contributes to many secondary medical problems such as diabetes and insulin resistance, obesity, constipation, poor blood pressure regulation, cardiovascular disease, reduced quality of life, and more. The ReWalk-I exoskeleton walking device permits investigation of the potential benefits of frequent upright posture and walking on many of the secondary consequences of spinal cord injury. The researchers are investigating the ability of persons with paraplegia to learn to stand and walk with the ReWalk-I and the effects of being upright and walking on several of these secondary medical consequences of spinal cord injury.
ReWalk suit developed by Argo Medical Technologies is designed to enable people with lower limb disabilities to carry out routine ambulatory functions (stand, walk etc.); it can be used by people with disabilities such as spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and other pathologies that produce severe walking impairments.
The purpose of this study is to use functional MRI (fMRI) and magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate brain activation and white matter changes in patients with congenital (birth defect of the spinal column), acute and chronic complete spinal cord lesions. The findings of this study may provide a basis to better understand the pathomechanisms underlying the dynamic neurofunctional changes following a spinal cord lesions in man. This understanding is important for the improvement of existing therapies and for the development of new therapeutic approaches.
This hypothesis-driven study will investigate effects of physical activity with or without a nutrient supplement known to increase body lean mass in adults with chronic paraplegia who have clusters of obesity and obesity-related secondary complications.