View clinical trials related to Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).
Filter by:Acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) involves short (~1-2min) bouts of breathing low oxygen air to stimulate spinal neuroplasticity. Studies in rodents and humans indicate that AIH improves motor function after spinal cord injury (SCI). This study will use a double blind, cross-over design to test if the combination of AIH and respiratory strength training improves breathing function more than either approach alone in adults with chronic SCI.
Most neurological injuries such as spinal cord injuries (SCI) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) spare a portion of nerve circuitry. Strengthening spared nerve circuits may be an important method to improve functional recovery. In this study, the investigators aim to use non-invasive magnetic and electrical stimulation to strengthen motor circuits between the brain and hands. Magnetic stimulation will be used over the motor cortex (scalp). Two methods of electrical stimulation will be compared: stimulation of the median nerve at the wrist; or direct stimulation of the cervical spinal cord across the skin on the back of the neck. Several different combinations of magnetic and electrical stimulation will be compared to find the conditions that best strengthen nerve circuits between the brain and hands - "Fire Together, Wire Together". PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS A PRELIMINARY STUDY. This study is testing for temporary changes in nerve transmission and hand function. THERE IS NO EXPECTATION OF LONG-TERM BENEFIT FROM THIS STUDY. If we see temporary changes in this study, then future studies would focus on how to prolong that effect.
In animal and human studies, histochemical and physiological evidences showed that the muscle transferred from slow, fatigue-resistant muscle to fast, fatigable muscle after spinal cord injury. The alternation of muscular property was accompanied by the alternation of spinal circuitry property, and was related to the immobilization adaptation. Previous study showed that remobilization by continuous passive motion (CPM) for one month would restore the function of spinal circuitry in individual with chronic SCI. It is possible that long term application of CPM can reverse the adaptation of contractile properties of the paralyzed muscle after SCI. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a four month CPM training on muscular properties in individuals with chronic SCI.
The present pilot study is designed to assess the extent to which BOTOX and MYOBLOC cause muscle atrophy in spastic patients. The primary objective is to assess whether there is statistically significant difference in muscle atrophy between the two groups over a one year period.
After spinal cord injury (SCI), the muscular property altered due to the immobilization adaptation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of remobilization with continuous passive exercise on the adapted paralyzed muscle properties after SCI.
1. Purpose: To explore the use of L-Carnitine, a pharmaceutical product, for the treatment of fatigue in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). 2. Hypothesis: Similar to previous research in disabled and aging populations, the investigators hypothesize that treatment with L-Carnitine will result in a significant improvement of clinical fatigue in spinal cord injury clients, effecting a decrease on the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) of 0.5 points or more. The investigators expect to see an effect after approximately three weeks of treatment. As secondary outcomes, the investigators expect to see positive changes in the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)and Visual Analogue Fatigue (VAS-F) and Visual Analogue Pain (VAS-P) scores, due to a combination of previously demonstrated effects of L-Carnitine directly on pain and depression, and the effects of the potential decrease in fatigue.
The Kids STEP Study aims to 1. Determine if walking can be restored in children with incomplete SCI and little to no leg movement 2. Identify the neural pathways that permit recovery of walking