Nerve Transfer Surgery to Restore Upper-limb Function After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord InjurySpinal Cord Injury at C5-C7 Level6 moreThe goal of this prospective, open label cohort study is to assess functional and motor outcomes in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury who have undergone nerve transfer surgery, with the goal of increasing upper limb function. We will also compare these outcomes to a cohort of similarly matched individuals who have not undergone nerve transfer surgery, using robust outcome measures, rigorous pre-operative clinical and neurophysiological assessments, and standardized rehabilitation. At the end of this project we aim to develop a model for predicting nerve transfer outcomes using pre-operative clinical and neurophysiological characteristics.
The ACCESSIT Study
Respiratory SupportThe study is designed to characterize and monitor the structure, degree of activation and function of the different respiratory muscles during mechanical ventilation after spine trauma and spinal cord injury.
Neuro-navigated TMS for Chronic SCI Patients
Spinal Cord InjuriesCan neuro-navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation be used as an additional outcome measure to EM-SCI assessments in a Spinal cord injury trial? Compare EM-SCI assessment with nTMS in ten chronic thoracic SCI patients Compare EM-SCI assessment with nTMS in ten chronic cervical SCI patients
Assessment of Neuropathic Pain
Spinal Cord Injury + Peripheral Nerve DiseasesDevelopment of neuropathic pain is one of the most disabling sequels after spinal cord injury (SCI) and in peripheral nerve diseases. The functionality of the pain pathway in humans as well as its plastic changes following SCI can be assessed in vivo by surface electrophysiological recordings and functional magnetic resonance imaging after noxious heat stimulation of the skin. Aims: a) establishing a clinically applicable assessment of the pain pathway and characterizing its changes as a consequence of SCI and in peripheral nerve diseases in an objective manner, b) characterizing plastic changes in the pain pathway in SCI patients with neuropathic pain and in patients with peripheral nerve diseases and relating them to the development of neuropathic pain syndromes.
Sonographic Examination of Renal Function in Individuals With Long-term Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord InjuriesRenal InsufficiencyPatients with long-term lower urinary tract dysfunction due to spinal cord injury presenting for a routine urodynamic control will be screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Suitable individuals providing written informed consent will undergo renal Doppler sonography and renal scintigraphy in addition to the routine examinations. Conclusions regarding renal function based on the clearance rate determined by scintigraphy (gold standard) will be compared with the conclusions based on Doppler sonography and Cystatin C clearance.
Untreated Sleep Apnea as an Aggravating Factor for Other Secondary Medical Conditions After Spinal...
Sleep ApneaSpinal Cord Injuries4 moreThis cross-sectional prospective study will assess the potential association of more severe sleep apnea after spinal cord injury with more intense neuropathic pain, more severe spasticity, and more significant cardiovascular abnormalities including cardiac arrhythmias and blood pressure fluctuations. In addition, the participants' experience when undergoing home-based sleep screening test or hospital-unattended sleep screening test will be assessed in a semi-structured interview.
Lower Extremity Outcome Measures in SCI
Spinal Cord InjuriesLower extremity (LE) function of patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) will be assessed in an observational project with a cross-sectional and a longitudinal study design. The main goal is to identify kinematic and kinetic parameters to precisely characterize LE function and in parallel the impairment and limitation in SCI patients throughout rehabilitation in acute patients and in chronic patients to define LE function and LE recovery.
Qualitative Assessment of the Impact of TTNS on QOL and Participation
Neurogenic BladderUrinary Retention2 moreThis study through the use of semi-structured interviews or focus groups will explore the lived experience with Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (TTNS) with Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction to generate user-defined themes regarding bladder function and catheter-related barriers and the daily impacts on one's life.
Male Fertility Program
Spinal Cord InjuryFollowing spinal cord injury, most men are infertile and require medical assistance to father children. The conditions that contribute to their infertility are erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, and semen abnormalities. The Miami Project Male Fertility Program is a research study designed to understand and improve impairments to male fertility resulting from spinal cord injury.
Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on Resting-state Electroencephalography (EEG) and Neuropathic Pain...
SCI - Spinal Cord InjuryNeuropathic PainThe main purposes of this study are to (1) measure the effect of CBD on pain symptoms, pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, and skin sensitivity to hot and cold temperature; and (2) measure the effect of CBD on brain electrical activity with electroencephalography (EEG).