View clinical trials related to Spinal Cord Injury.
Filter by:Balneotherapy is a physiotherapy technique which allows patients to work out in a weightless environment and which is often used in patients with spinal cord injury. In normal subjects, water immersion generates a reduction in lung volumes. The effects of water immersion on the respiratory function of spinal cord injury patient (who are liable to present a respiratory failure secondary to paralysis) are not well known. They could be deleterious (by majoring respiratory failure)or beneficial (by mimicking the effect of a corset and improving respiratory function). Therefore, we are planning to study the effect of different water immersion levels on the respiratory function of spinal cord injury patients.
This is an observational longitudinal study designed to identify and describe long term outcomes for patients with high tetraplegia who use a Diaphragmatic Pacing System (DPS). As this is not a randomized or experimental study, no specific hypotheses are proposed. The data collected will enable us to answer the following research questions: 1. What are the patterns of long-term DPS use (hours per day using DPS, changes in DPS stimulus parameters, abandonment of DPS and related reasons). 2. What mechanical problems have DPS users encountered (system failure, repairs needed)? 3. What are the frequency of and reasons for rehospitalization following DPS implant? 4. What levels of care are needed at home to manage the DPS? 5. How do DPS users feel about the system (satisfaction, comfort, vocalization, taste, swallowing)?
Many individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI), acquired amputation (AMP), muscular dystrophy (MD), and low back pain (LBP) experience pain. There has been little research on how to treat this pain. Different types of treatment that include self-hypnosis, education about chronic pain, and learning skills on how to change how a person thinks about his/her pain have been used to treat chronic pain in the general population. The purpose of this study is to see if these different treatments can help decrease pain in people with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury, and determine how and why these treatments are effective. A subject must have a diagnosis of MS,SCI, AMP, MD, or LBP, have chronic pain, and be at least 18 years old to participate.
The manifestation of weakness and involuntary reflexes following motor incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) may be partly a result of damage to descending pathways to the spinal cord that release serotonin. In models of SCI, for example, application of agents that simulate serotonin has been shown to modulate voluntary motor behaviors, including augmentation of walking recovery. In humans following neurological injury, the effects of 5HT agents are unclear. Few previous reports indicate improved motor function following administration of agents which enhance the available serotonin in the brain, although some data suggests that decreased serotonin may be beneficial. In this application, the investigators propose to study the effects of clinically used agents that increase or decrease intrinsic serotonin activity in the brain on strength and walking ability following human motor incomplete SCI. Using detailed electrophysiological recordings, and biomechanical and behavioral measures, the investigators will determine the effects of acute or chronic doses of these drugs on voluntary and involuntary motor behaviors during static and dynamic conditions. The novelty of this proposed research is the expectation that agents that enhance serotonin activity may increase abnormal reflexes in SCI, but simultaneously facilitate motor and walking recovery. Despite potential improvements in voluntary function, the use of pharmacological agents that may enhance spastic motor behaviors following SCI is in marked contrast to the way in which drugs are typically used in the clinical setting.
The propose of the study is to validate in Mexico a spanish translation of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) Version III, in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Internal consistency, reproducibility and reliability will be addressed scoring the results of the translated version at two time frames and also of the same patients by different examiners (physicians, nurses and technicians).
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the analgesic effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied on motor cortex in patients with spinal cord injury who have chronic neuropathic pain.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of autologous transplantation of Adipose Tissue derived Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in patient with spinal cord injury
The purpose of this study is to provide profound insight into the supraspinal neuronal mechanisms and networks responsible for lower urinary tract (LUT) control and to verify, amend or adjust neuronal circuitry models established from findings in healthy subjects in the context of neurogenic and non-neurogenic LUT dysfunction.
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.