Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

Rationale: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) suffer from accelerated cognitive aging. In able-bodied individuals, a vast amount of studies have shown that exercise interventions can improve cognitive function. Myokines (i.e. factors released into the blood stream from muscle cells) are considered one of the mediators of this beneficial effect. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), used to replace or support muscle training in disabled individuals with poor exercise possibilities, was shown to elicit a large release of myokines (in some studies larger than following voluntary exercise). However, so far, the effects of NMES on cognitive function have never been studied before. In fact, only one study has previously investigated the effect of exercise on cognitive function in persons with SCI. Objective: The primary aim is to assess to what extent a 12 week intervention with NMES to the quadriceps muscles of people with SCI can change their performance on a set of cognitive tests. Secondarily, the investigators will measure to what extent NMES to the quadriceps muscles of people with SCI induces changes in blood levels of the myokine brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is considered a potential mediator of the exercise-cognition effect, facilitating neuroplastic processes. Study design: A single case experimental design (SCED) with sequential multiple baseline time series and a single-armed prospective study design, with a random duration of the baseline phase ranging from 3 to 6 weeks, an intervention phase of 12 weeks, and a 12 week period without measurements, followed by a follow-up phase of 3 weeks; in addition to a single-armed prospective study design. Study population: Individuals (n = 15) aged 18 years and older with a chronic SCI (>1y post-injury) and with visible or palpable contraction of the quadriceps muscles upon NMES will be recruited at the rehabilitation centre of Adelante in Hoensbroek, the Netherlands. Intervention: The study participants will receive 30min of NMES using surface electrodes on the quadriceps muscles three times per week for a total duration of 12 weeks. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome is cognitive function changes which will be measured using a secured smartphone application (e.g. m-Path). Secondary outcome measures are changes in the blood myokine levels of BDNF and changes in cognitive outcome scores on an verbal cognitive test battery.


Clinical Trial Description

n/a


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT05822297
Study type Interventional
Source Adelante, Centre of Expertise in Rehabilitation and Audiology
Contact Wouter Vints, MD
Phone +31455282828
Email wouter.vints@adelantegroep.nl
Status Not yet recruiting
Phase N/A
Start date January 2024
Completion date September 2024

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Active, not recruiting NCT06321172 - Muscle and Bone Changes After 6 Months of FES Cycling N/A
Completed NCT03457714 - Guided Internet Delivered Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy for Persons With Spinal Cord Injury: A Feasibility Trial
Recruiting NCT05484557 - Prevention of Thromboembolism Using Apixaban vs Enoxaparin Following Spinal Cord Injury N/A
Suspended NCT05542238 - The Effect of Acute Exercise on Cardiac Autonomic, Cerebrovascular, and Cognitive Function in Spinal Cord Injury N/A
Recruiting NCT05503316 - The Roll of Balance Confidence in Gait Rehabilitation in Persons With a Lesion of the Central Nervous System N/A
Not yet recruiting NCT05506657 - Early Intervention to Promote Return to Work for People With Spinal Cord Injury N/A
Recruiting NCT04105114 - Transformation of Paralysis to Stepping Early Phase 1
Recruiting NCT03680872 - Restoring Motor and Sensory Hand Function in Tetraplegia Using a Neural Bypass System N/A
Completed NCT04221373 - Exoskeletal-Assisted Walking in SCI Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation N/A
Completed NCT00116337 - Spinal Cord Stimulation to Restore Cough N/A
Completed NCT03898700 - Coaching for Caregivers of Children With Spinal Cord Injury N/A
Recruiting NCT04883463 - Neuromodulation to Improve Respiratory Function in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT04881565 - Losing Balance to Prevent Falls After Spinal Cord Injury (RBT+FES) N/A
Completed NCT04864262 - Photovoice for Spinal Cord Injury to Prevent Falls N/A
Recruiting NCT04007380 - Psychosocial, Cognitive, and Behavioral Consequences of Sleep-disordered Breathing After SCI N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT04544761 - Resilience in Persons Following Spinal Cord Injury
Completed NCT03220451 - Use of Adhesive Elastic Taping for the Therapy of Medium/Severe Pressure Ulcers in Spinal Cord Injured Patients N/A
Terminated NCT03170557 - Randomized Comparative Trial for Persistent Pain in Spinal Cord Injury: Acupuncture vs Aspecific Needle Skin Stimulation N/A
Recruiting NCT04811235 - Optical Monitoring With Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Spinal Cord Injury Trial N/A
Recruiting NCT04736849 - Epidural and Dorsal Root Stimulation in Humans With Spinal Cord Injury N/A