View clinical trials related to Spinal Cord Injury.
Filter by:The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of two forms of physical therapy training, one emphasizing precise, visually guided walking over obstacles and on targets (Precision Training), the other emphasizing mass practice of walking on a treadmill (Endurance Training). The hypothesis was that visually guided training (Precision) may be especially efficacious because it engages the motor cortex, whose input may facilitate improvements in functional walking. Participants are individuals with a chronic (≥7 months post-injury), motor incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), with no other problems that would preclude participation in an intensive training program. A randomized, single-blinded, cross-over design was used to randomly allocate participants to start with Precision or Endurance Training, identified as Training Phase I. Training was 5x/wk for 2 months, followed by a 2-month rest period, identified as Rest Period I. Participants then returned for 2-months of training in the other method, identified as Training Phase II, followed by another 2-month rest, Rest Period II. Measures of walking speed, distance, skill, confidence, as well as depression were obtained at least 3 times before any training, then monthly thereafter. Electrophysiological measures were taken before and after each phase of training and period of rest. Change scores were used to determine how each phase of training and rest influenced the scores (see below).
People with a spinal cord injury (SCI) have limited ability to move and feel sensation below the level of the SCI. Doctors and researchers have tests which determine the level of function and sensation, this test was developed by the American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) and has been modified over the years to improve use and sensitivity. Most recently, the ASIA Injury classification Scale (AIS) was modified in 2011, but this test does not include the evaluation of autonomic nervous system (ANS) impairment. However, people with SCI do have impairment of the ANS and this may adversely affect how organ systems in the body function. Specifically, ANS impairment tends to result in changes in heart rate and blood pressure that may relate to the level of the SCI, but this is not fully understood. In this investigation we hope to develop simple tests which will allow doctors and scientist the ability to measure the amount of ANS impairment to the cardiovascular system, specifically the heart. The first part of the study will be to determine the heart rate response to several tests (administration of drugs and physical challenges) which will change heart rate. These tests will be given to people with and without SCI and the heart rate response will be compared between people with and without SCI. The bigger the difference in the heart rate response to these test between people with and without SCI the greater degree of ANS impairment in the people with SCI. Once this heart rate difference is determined, several simple tests (deep breathing, saliva test, Valsalva) will be performed in people with and without SCI to again compare the heart rate response. The second part of this study will be to determine if the heart rate responses to the first set of tests (administration of drugs and physical challenges) can predict the heart rate response to these simple tests (deep breathing, saliva test, Valsalva). The aim of this study is to develop a simple battery of tests which can be easily used by doctors and scientists to determine the degree of ANS impairment to the heart in persons with SCI.
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.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the long term outcome of patients who receive hypothermia treatment for spinal cord injury. At this institution, intravascular hypothermia has been used for certain patients with spinal cord injury for the past two years. This study will collect data from vital signs and examinations while the patient is in the hospital and also when they follow up as an outpatient after they are discharged or go to a rehabilitation center. This data will then be analyzed and compared only to historically published data from previous studies. The aim of this investigation is to determine if intravascular hypothermia results in a beneficial outcome for patients with spinal cord injury.
This study aims to determine whether body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) has beneficial effects, over and above arm-cycle ergometry training (ACET) on indicators of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in individuals with severe spinal cord injury (SCI). After SCI, the primary cause of illness and death is CVD. Currently, preventative measures focus around increasing physical activity- especially through the use of ACET. However, ACET's capacity to improve cardiovascular health is questionable. Research has demonstrated that BWSTT, an alternative form of exercise, may be capable of improving cardiovascular health in individuals with SCI. The studies primary outcome measure is carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) which has been shown to have prognostic value for CVD above and beyond that of other risk factors. It is hypothesised that through large muscle mass involvement and postural challenge, the physical stimuli of BWSTT will reduce cfPWV and lower CVD risk in individuals with SCI.
Nerve Transfer surgery can provide improved hand function following cervical spinal cord injuries
Normally, nerve fibers carry electrical impulses through the spinal cord, providing communication between the brain and the arms and legs. In people with spinal cord injury, some fibers may be destroyed at the site of injury, while others remain connected but do not work correctly to carry electrical impulses. As a result, subjects with an incomplete spinal cord injury may have spasticity which is muscle spasms or muscle stiffness that makes movement difficult. Fampridine-SR is an experimental drug that increases the ability of the nerve to conduct electrical impulses. This study will examine the effects of Fampridine-SR on moderate to severe lower-limb spasticity, as well as the effects on bodily functions such as bladder control, bowel function and sexual function. The study will also examine the possible risks of taking Fampridine-SR.
Researchers from the University of South Florida's Rehabilitation Engineering program are looking for volunteers to participate in a research study for experimental evaluation of wheelchair-mounted robotic arms (WMRAs). Participants will operate commercially available and developmental WMRAs in a physical test environment. The study will serve to identify desirable design features of WMRAs and input devices so that future production systems may further increase the quality of life of potential users. The study will also promote both the justification of prescribing WMRAs to enhance quality of life through the proposed standard testing method, and awareness for the emerging assistive robotics industry.
The goal of this proposal is to investigate the efficacy of a complimentary approach of evoked resistance training and testosterone replacement therapy on the changes in body composition and metabolic profile after SCI. The proposed method could become a recommended and simple intervention especially for individuals with limited access and poor tolerance to exercise. The rationale is based on the evidence that individuals with SCI experience decline in anabolic hormones which may be responsible for the deterioration in body composition and metabolic profiles and leads to increase obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and subsequently cardiovascular disease. The designed study will provide explanation to the adaptations in the energy source of the muscle cells in response to training.
Maintenance of bone mass following spinal cord injury (SCI) is essential to fracture prevention and the associated morbidity of bed rest and further secondary complications. Intravenous (IV) zoledronic acid (ZA) is an FDA-approved drug that has been shown to be more effective than other agents in reducing bone mass resorption and leg fractures in post-menopausal women, but has not been studied in patients with acute SCI. This will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of IV ZA to prevent bone loss early after SCI. Up to 48 subjects will be randomized to receive a one-time dose of 5 mg of IV ZA versus placebo within 21 days of an SCI.