View clinical trials related to Spinal Cord Injury.
Filter by:The investigators propose a prospective study, designed to analyze the efficacy of High-Resolution Diffusion Tensor Imaging for accurately sensing white matter tracts in subjects with spinal cord injury. Study subjects will not be randomized, as treatment will follow the doctor's "standard of care." Patients will be selected and offered enrollment based upon the clinical diagnosis of spinal cord injury, either due to degenerative disease or trauma. Enrollment will be based on the chronology of patient presentation.
Many people with spinal cord injury (SCI) hold some ability to move their leg muscles, and are therefore considered to demonstrate a motor incomplete injury. After such a spinal cord injury, individuals are able to walk less both in their home and in their community. De-conditioning, or a lack of endurance and fitness also occurs. Several methods are available to try to improve walking ability and the fitness of persons with motor incomplete spinal cord injury. This study examines two of these methods. The first is the use of robotically assisted body-weight supported walking using a device called the Lokomat. The second is aquatic or pool-based exercise. The investigators are researching the impact of these two techniques on walking ability and fitness in people who experienced motor incomplete spinal cord injury for at least 12 months.
The purpose of this research study is to demonstrate that individuals with upper limb paralysis due to spinal cord injury, brachial plexus injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and brain stem stroke can successfully achieve direct brain control of assistive devices using an electrocorticography (ECoG)-based brain computer interface system.
Permanent dependency of breathing apparatus due to spinal cord injury is traditionally treated with different types of mechanical ventilation. However, the electric ventilation became a possibility through their most current versions, such as diaphragmatic pacemakers. Diaphragmatic pacemakers rhythmically stimulates the diaphragm to replace the functions of the respiratory center that doesn't works well or is inaccessible. However, this modality has the prerequisite that the phrenic nerve and diaphragm muscle are normal. The reason for the development of diaphragmatic pacemaker freeing the patient from the ventilator. By using the mechanical energy of the diaphragm of the patient, the patient may come not need the ventilator tubing, tracheostomy, and with the help of their caregivers, the inconvenient mechanical ventilators.
The first evidence-based physical activity guidelines for people with spinal cord injury were released in March, 2011. This project will evaluate the implementation of the new physical activity guidelines in a community exercise setting in Hamilton, Ontario. The investigators hypothesize that persons who follow the guidelines will experience increased aerobic fitness and muscle strength. The investigators also hypothesize that participants will find the guidelines easy to follow and that their self-efficacy for participating in physical activity will be improved following the study period.
Shoulder pain is common in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). It is most often caused by overuse injuries to the muscles and tendons that can occur during wheelchair propulsion, transfers, and other activities of daily living. Normally, shoulder pain resolves with conservative treatments such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) and physical therapy. However, when these treatments fail, shoulder surgery may be the only option. Platelet Rich Plasma therapy, or PRP, is a treatment option for non-healing muscle and tendon injuries such as those that cause shoulder pain in persons with SCI. Using one's own blood, cells within the blood called "platelets" are concentrated and then re-injected into the muscle and tendon of the shoulder. These platelets release substances known as "growth factors" that lead to tissue healing. By concentrating the platelets we increase the growth factors up to eight times which will promote the healing of tendons. PRP therapy has shown promise in treating tendon and muscle injuries in able-bodied persons; however, its effectiveness in persons with SCI is unknown. The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of PRP therapy for chronic shoulder pain in persons with SCI. The human body has a remarkable ability to heal itself and we hypothesize that re-injecting concentrated platelets will facilitate the natural healing process and will reduce shoulder pain in persons with SCI.
The investigators seek to determine the efficacy, duration of action and safety of escalating dose of droxidopa on systemic blood pressure, cerebral blood flow and vasoactive hormones and catecholamines during upright seated posture. Primary Question: 1. What is the lowest dose of droxidopa that increases seated SBP to 115±5 mmHg in men and 105±5 mmHg in women? - When does the defined increase in SBP occur after oral ingestion of droxidopa? - How long does this dose of droxidopa sustain SBP at these levels? - What are the vital signs and the subjective symptomology following droxidopa administration? Secondary Question: 1. What is the MFV response to droxidopa administration in hypotensive individuals with SCI? - Does an increase in SBP correspond to an increase in MCA MFV? Tertiary Question: 1. What is the vasoactive hormone and catecholamine response to droxidopa administration in hypotensive individuals with SCI? - Does droxidopa administration result in a change in APR, Aldo or NE in hypotensive individuals with SCI?
This is a study of factors, such as pain, family support, psychological history and alcohol/substance use, that may influence whether a person experiences depression after their spinal cord injury.
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of one year treatment based on daily doses of exogenous growth hormone (GH) in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury. The first six months the pharmacological treatment will be associated to rehabilitation treatment. The main hypothesis is that GH can improve motor function of patients with traumatic spinal cord injury below the lesion level. The hypothesis is based on possible effects of GH at muscle and synaptic level. GH can also promote axonal growth and regeneration. Design: Clinical trial placebo-controlled, double-blind intervention with blind evaluation by third parties and blinding in the analysis of data (triple-blind design). Duration of intervention and monitoring: 364 days. Primary outcome measures. Changes of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale (motor score)
This research investigates the use of autologous bone marrow stem cells in patients with spinal cord injury.