RMT in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord InjuriesSpinal Cord Injury (SCI) is an involvement of the spinal cord, a nerve cord protected by the spine and extends from the base of the brain to the lumbar region. The spinal cord lesion causes complete or incomplete paralysis of voluntary mobility and absence, partial or total, of any sensitivity below the affected area; In addition, it also involves the lack of control over the sphincters of urination and intestinal evacuation, disorders of sexuality and fertility, alterations of the Vegetative Nervous System and risk of suffering other complications not less important as: bedsores, spasticity, kidney processes, ... The cervical and dorsal cord injury severely affects respiratory function due to paralysis and deterioration of the respiratory muscles. Several types of respiratory muscle training (RMT) have been described to improve respiratory function for people with SCI in the literature. Despite the relatively small number of studies included in this review, the meta-analysis of the pooled data indicates that RMT would be effective in increasing respiratory muscle strength and also lung volumes for people with SCI. More research is needed to obtain functional results after EMR, such as dyspnea, cough efficacy, respiratory complications, hospital admissions due to respiratory complications and quality of life.
Mobile and Remote Monitoring of Seating Pressure for Wheelchair Users With SCI
Spinal Cord InjuriesThis study will examine two interventions to increase weight shifts, overall trunk movement, and self-efficacy related to pressure ulcer prevention in wheelchair users with a spinal cord injury (SCI).
Just-in-time Adaptive Feedback Systems to Assist Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord InjuriesThe objective of this study is to develop algorithms that incorporate each individual's automatically detected physical activity (PA) level and a clinician's PA level recommendation to provide a smartphone application that helps a person set safe and highly personalized PA goals. By adapting the goals in real-time based on the person's actual behavior, the system aims to keep the individual feeling positive and motivated towards a change in the PA behavior.
Development and Feasibility of an Internet Intervention for Adults With Spinal Cord Injury to Prevent...
Spinal Cord InjuryPressure UlcersThe investigators propose to test the feasibility of iSHIFTup (Internet Skin Health Intervention For Targeted Ulcer Prevention) for adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) to prevent serious pressure ulcers (PrUs) and promote protective health behaviors. This protocol is Phase 2 of a three phase project. In Phase 1, the investigators developed iSHIFTup. In Phase 2, the investigators will test the intervention by partnering with Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of 18 participants. In Phase 3, the investigators will focus on optimizing the intervention based on our outcome findings and feedback, sustaining the program at WWRC, and seeking future funding for a larger RCT. The investigators will conduct an RCT of up to 18 participants (9 participants in treatment as usual (TAU) group, 9 participants in TAU + iSHIFTup intervention group) (18 participants are needed to obtain statistically significant results). The investigators will meet with potential participants in-person to complete the informed consent process and confirm eligibility. Participants in the TAU+iSHIFTup group will use the program during the study period. Participants randomized to TAU will have usual treatment during the study period and an opportunity to use the program following trial participation. The investigators will collect information from participants at two times during the study, at enrollment and post-intervention at 6-weeks (42 days). The investigators will also collect qualitative information from participants in the TAU+iSHIFTup group, during an optional focus-group setting, to learn users' experiences with the program. The investigators expect participants in the TAU+iSHIFTup group as compared to the TAU group, to display greater awareness of personal risk for pressure ulcers; increased preventive behaviors; and increased skin care self-efficacy and knowledge.
Effectiveness of Psycho-emotional Support in Acute Spinal Cord Injury. ESPELMA Project
Spinal Cord InjuryAcute4 moreThe purposes of the ESPELMA project are twofold: 1) To increase acute spinal cord injury patients' satisfaction with treatment while hospitalization and 2) To increase mastery among rehabilitation professionals with regard to the clinical management of patients' psychological distress. For these purposes, a tailored training for professionals will be designed and offered. It is hypothesized that building capacity among professionals will serve to better management of patients' distress and a greater ability to commit them to the rehabilitation process. Thus, it is expected to lead to better and faster functional recovery and consequently to higher perceived satisfaction with treatment.
Fertility of Spinal Cord Injured Men
Sperm Parameters of Spinal Cord Injured MenSpinal cord injured (SCI) men, para or tetraplegic, most often have an infertility, caused among others by a deficiency of sperm quality particularly motility and vitality. Several mechanisms have been proposed: low frequency of ejaculation, recurrent urinary tract and seminal infections, presence of an inflammatory syndrome (IS) and an oxidative stress (OS). However, no French study of sperm quality has been conducted in this population that could identify aggravating factors of sperm quality and a way to prevent them. Hypothesis: Sperm parameters decrease rapidly following spinal cord injury and next stabilise. However, unidentified yet risk factors could influence long-term evolution of sperm parameters. The objective is to study the evolution of sperm parameters during 18 months taking into account bladder management, recurrent urinary tract and bladder infections, IS and OS. The evaluation of these parameters and their consequences will be indicative to determine one or more risk factors of sperm degradation and determine a strategy for long term support to avoid the use of ART either by sperm cryopreservation and/or by preventing risk factors
Maintenance of Shoulder Health and Function After Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord InjuryShoulder PainThe purpose of this study is to determine if a shoulder exercise program can prevent the onset of shoulder pain and improve community participation in persons who have a spinal cord injury (SCI). Upon entry into the study patients will have pain-free shoulders and will be followed for 3 years to determine rate of shoulder pain development. Patients will learn a simple shoulder home exercise program and will be instructed on techniques to protect their shoulder during wheelchair propulsion, transfers and activities of daily living. Patients will be instructed to perform the home exercise program 3 days per week. Two types of treatment (training) delivery approaches that have been documented to reduce chronic shoulder pain will be compared. The rate of shoulder pain development for the two groups will be compared to the rate of shoulder pain development in the historical control group. The investigators hypothesize that the rate of shoulder pain development will be lower in the experimental treatment groups compared to the historical control group. Any differences between the two treatment delivery approaches for the experimental treatment groups will help to provide guidelines for the most effective delivery approach of a shoulder pain prevention program.
Stem Cell Therapy in Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord InjuryThe purpose of this study is to study the effect of stem cell therapy on common symptoms in patients with spinal cord injury.
Clinical Value of Homeopathic Prophylaxis of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Persons With...
Symptomatic Urinary Tract InfectionSpinal Cord Injuryrecurrent symptomatic urinary tracts infections (UTI) in persons with spinal cord injury are a frequent problem, leading to significant morbidity and to a decreased quality of life. until today, there is no effective prophylaxis for UTI for patients with spinal cord injury. homeopathy has been shown to be an effective treatment option in several chronic diseases study hypothesis: the addition of homeopathic assessment and treatment to a standard prevention strategy for recurrent UTI will significantly reduce the number of symptomatic UTI per year in this group of patients compared to standard prevention alone
Mirror Neuron Network Based Motor Imagery Training to Improve Brain Computer Interface Performance...
Spinal Cord InjuriesThe overall vision of this proposal is to demonstrate that a virtual reality based motor imagery training program will improve brain computer interface (BCI) performance and motor function in quadriplegic subjects. The ultimate goal is to increase the independence of subjects with spinal cord injury by training to safely control BCI assistive devices and to enhance motor recovery.