View clinical trials related to Spinal Cord Injury.
Filter by:The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of penile vibratory stimulation on the muscle spasticity of men with chronic spinal cord injury.
There is evidence that has shown that serum testosterone levels are low in persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). The question arises as to whether the defect in testosterone production is from the hypothalamic pituitary system (part of the brain that plays a role in testosterone release) or from the male testes. Studies to date are inconclusive. This study, will examine if persons with SCI has a normal hormonal regulation of the male hormone testosterone in comparison to persons who are able-bodied. This will help understand the physical and metabolic changes that occur in persons with SCI.
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of oxandrolone on the function and quality of life of patients with chronic spinal cord injury.
A peer mentoring program for persons with SCI was developed. Individuals who experienced SCI in the past and have adapted well functionally were asked to serve as mentors for individuals with newly-acquired SCI. These individuals undergo volunteer and peer mentoring training prior to mentoring activities. They are a subset of the study participants. We are tracking their satisfaction with life, positive and negative affect, life adjustment, depression, and social support over time. We hypothesize that measures of adjustment will become more positive as involvement as a mentor increases. The second subset of study participants are the individuals with newly-acquired SCI. They complete a baseline assessment of the measures listed above and then at 6 months, one year, and two years after match with a mentor. We also collect information about the quantity and quality of the mentoring sessions from both the mentor and mentee. We hypothesize that the mentee's adjustment will be positively influenced by the number and quality of the mentoring sessions. Due to the relatively small number of SCI per year in our program, we opted to offer the mentoring program to all individuals with newly acquired SCI, thus there is no control group.
The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the extent of neurologic (nerve) impairment in patients with spinal cord injuries and how well the nerves passing down the spine to the heart and blood vessels are working. These nerves are called the descending spinal sympathetic pathway (DSSP) and are important in controlling many functions, including blood pressure. We also wish to examine how injury severity and DSSP function influence blood levels of nor-epinephrine and epinephrine. Nor-epinephrine and epinephrine are hormones released into the blood that are also important in controlling blood pressure. Thus, we will also look at how the effect of the extent of DSSP dysfunction influences heart rate and blood pressure and blood levels of certain enzymes.
The effects of lateral trunk supports (LTS) in special seating on the spinal alignment of 17 spinal cord injured (SCI) subjects with scoliosis were studied using bi-planar radiographs. The LTS improved significantly the functional scoliotic spinal alignment in the frontal and sagittal planes regardless of the severity of scoliosis.
The purpose of this study is to find out if standing and/or standing with vibration works for the treatment of osteoporosis for people with a spinal cord injury.
Brief Summary Detailed Description Background: A multitude of risk factors for falling has been reported for the elderly, however many of these risk factors are not applicable to persons with a spinal cord injury, who use a wheelchair for mobility. The objectives of this study are to: (1) describe the incidence and prevalence of tips, falls, and fall-related injuries in SCI; (2) describe the epidemiology of the fall event (person, time, place, and activity); (3) describe any injuries associated with a fall, including the mechanism and nature of the injury, severity of injury, as well as treatment required; (4) determine the risk factors related to falls and fall-related injuries in SCI, and develop a model for predicting falls and fall-related injuries in SCI; (5) determine healthcare utilization as well as direct and indirect costs associated with fall-related injuries in SCI; and (6) describe patient-perceived short- and long-term consequences of falls in SCI. The data collection for this study was completed on March 31, 2007, and data analysis is in final phase. Objectives: The objectives of the study are to describe: (1) the incidence and prevalence of wheelchair tips, falls, and fall-related injuries; (2) epidemiology of event; (3) injuries associated with event, including mechanism, nature, severity of injury and treatment required; (4) determine risk factors and develop a model for predicting tips and falls; (5) determine healthcare utilization and direct and indirect costs; and (6) describe perceived short- and long-term consequences of falls in SCI. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study. Data was collected through patient surveys, medical records, and VA databases. Baseline information includes risk factors (e.g., user characteristics, wheelchair features, wheelchair activities, etc.) and physical environmental data. Monthly follow-up calls tracked tips, falls, and injuries. Status: Recruitment ended on April 1, 2006 with a total of 702 subjects, and data collection was completed on March 31, 2007. The Data Safety Monitoring Board for this study conducted its final meeting on September 17, 2007. Data has been analyzed and 17 manuscripts are currently in development. Impact: While much is known about falls in elderly, there is a lack of understanding of the epidemiology of wheelchair-related falls. Our project is expected to identify previously unaccounted for factors that predispose persons with SCI to falls and fall-related injuries. This study will result in the creation of a model for predicting falls and fall-related injuries in SCI. The predictive model will be used to develop intervention strategies targeting modifiable risk factors. Eventually, we will test this predictive model with other vulnerable veteran populations. Findings from this study wil be used to develop an instrument to identify fall risk in persons with SCI.
Objective: The objective of this research is to undertake a safety and viability study of FES-evoked stepping in individuals with paraplegia. The rationale for this objective is based upon the need to clarify whether physiological limitations, especially orthostatic intolerance, limit functional mobility outcomes. The cardiovascular, autonomic, and muscle metabolic factors governing orthostatic tolerance during skin-surface FES stepping will be investigated, since this functional task forms the basis of upright mobility and engenders strong physiological challenges upon key regulatory processes in the SCI (spinal cord injury) patient. Specific Hypotheses: i. Reduction of blood pressure will be greater during FES-evoked stepping than during passive stepping; ii. Reduction of blood pressure will be greater during FES-evoked stepping with no upper body component versus FES-stepping with an upper body component; iii. Blood pressure will be reduced even further during FES-evoked stepping following a 6-week progressive-intensity gait training intervention.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether HP184 is effective in the treatment of chronic spinal cord injury (CSCI).