Feasibility of Early Gabapentin as an Intervention for Neurorecovery
Spinal Cord InjuriesThe objective of the proposed study is to conduct the first ever prospective, dose-exploration trial to test the feasibility of early administration of gabapentin as an intervention for neurorecovery. This research project falls under the Intervention Development stage of research as the primary goal is to assess the feasibility of conducting a well-designed intervention efficacy study in the future.
Epidural Electrical Stimulation to Restore Hemodynamic Stability and Trunk Control in People With...
Spinal Cord InjuriesThe HemON study aims to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of ARC-IM Therapy (Epidural Electrical Stimulation) to improve hemodynamic management and trunk control in people with sub-acute or chronic spinal cord injury (>= 1 month post injury) between C3 and T6 inclusive, who suffer from orthostatic hypotension.
Effectiveness of Virtual Bodily Illusion Intervention in Upper Limb Motor Function in People With...
Incomplete Spinal Cord InjurySpinal Cord InjuryPrevious studies have shown that the neuroplasticity of the residual corticospinal fibers, the motor cortex and the spinal neurons plays an important role in the spontaneous functional recovery of people with neurological or musculoskeletal pathology. However, it is also possible to stimulate the neuroplasticity mechanisms of these structures through techniques aimed at rehabilitating different deficits (for example, motor function or sensitivity). In general, intervention programs are usually carried out, in most cases, using low-cost strategies such as therapeutic physical exercise programs. The objective of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of visual illusion therapies in combination with conventional exercises on the symptoms and signs related to incomplete spinal cord injury that affects the upper limb. The study will include the realization of three measurements that will be carried out one day before starting the program, one day after finishing it, and one month later (follow-up). The clinical assessment will be composed of the study of the following variables: Motor function and motor skills, Upper limb isometric force, Muscle activation, Muscle tone, Quality of life, Functionality. All interventions will last eight weeks and will be planned according to the availability of volunteers. In each session, it will be recorded if any type of adverse effect occurs. There will be four types of interventions: i. Visual Illusion (IV) and therapeutic exercise program (PE), ii.placebo and PE, iii. IV, iv. IV placebo.
Cord Blood Cells in Patients With Acute SCI
Spinal Cord InjuryAcuteThis is a prospective, single-blinded, single-center, randomized, comparative, interventional clinical study of systemic mononuclear multiple allogenic cord blood cells administration safety and efficiency in patients having acute severe contusion spinal cord injury (ASIA A/B), phase I/II
The Feasibility and Effects of Low-load Blood-flow Restricted Exercise Following Spinal Cord Injury...
Spinal Cord InjuriesSpinal cord injury (SCI): The World Health Organization estimates an incidence of 250,000 to 500,000 per year worldwide. In Denmark 130 new cases of SCI per year. SCI is a devastating condition: paresis/paralysis of the skeletal muscles below the injury site, partial or complete inability to walk, move and/or feel. Other sequelae are: infections, lifestyle diseases (cardiovascular, diabetes, nephrologic disease), mental wellbeing/suicide-risk profoundly raised , quality of life, next-of-kin affection. Recovery of motor function is high clinical priority and crucial for improved ADL outcomes. Strength training regimens have shown improved muscle strength in healthy subjects using near-maximal voluntary effort contractions, and few studies have demonstrated similar effects in a SCI population. Atrophy and fatigability and spasticity may reduce practical implementation for rehabilitation. Therefore, low-load blood-flow restricted exercise (BFRE) may prove beneficial as supplement to traditional rehabilitation, increasing muscle strength and inducing hypertrophy in healthy persons. BFRE is performed as low-intensity strength training (20-30 % of max) while simultaneously involving the use of circumferential placement of cuffs during exercise, to maintain arterial inflow to the muscle while preventing venous return. Based on existing scientific evidence, BFRE is acknowledged as a safe regime without serious side effects. Previously, the method has shown increased muscle strength and inducing skeletal muscle hypertrophy in addition to improvement in gait performance in individuals with various diseases causing reduced mobility. Purposes of this PhD project: to investigate the feasibility and effects of BFRE in individuals living with the consequences of SCI.
Telepsychology in Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord InjuriesDepressionThis study will determine the effectiveness of tele-psychology in treating persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) with depressed mood in the early period post-rehabilitation discharge. Depression among individuals with SCI is the most common psychological condition following an injury; 22% of civilians with SCI and 28% of veterans with SCI experience depression after injury, which is higher than the able-bodied population (Williams 2015; Ullrich 2014). Individuals with SCI face many barriers in receiving psychotherapy, such as lack of accessible transportation, unfamiliarity with community resources, or stigma associated with seeking treatment for depression, which this project aims to address. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which helps people develop different ways of thinking and behaving to reduce their psychological distress, will be provided via iPad FaceTime by a psychologist with expertise in working with persons with SCI. The objectives of the proposed project are to reduce depressive symptoms, decrease associated symptoms of anxiety, and to improve satisfaction with life with CBT provided via tele-psychology. The secondary objective is to show intermediate efficacy of tele-psychology in persons with SCI with depressed mood.
Canadian-American Spinal Cord Perfusion Pressure and Biomarker Study
Acute Spinal Cord InjuryAcute Spinal Paralysis2 moreThis multicenter study will enroll 100 patients with acute traumatic cervical and thoracic SCI who have a lumbar intrathecal catheter inserted within 24 hours of their injury. The lumbar intrathecal catheter will be inserted pre-operatively for the measurement of ITP and the collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. SCPP will be calculated as the difference between MAP and the ITP. There are two important distinct yet related objectives in this prospective interventional study. Determine the effect of SCPP maintenance ≥ 65 mmHg in acute SCI on neurologic recovery as measured by ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) grade conversion and motor score improvement. Collect CSF and blood samples for the measurement of neurochemical biomarkers and storage for future biomarker discovery and validation studies.
Task-specific Epidural Stimulation Study
Spinal Cord InjuriesThe investigators propose to understand the role of lumbosacral spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) in recovery of autonomic nervous system function, voluntary movement, and standing in individuals with severe spinal cord injury (SCI). Thirty-six individuals with severe SCI who have cardiovascular and respiratory dysfunction and who are unable to voluntarily move the legs or stand will receive scES for cardiovascular function, voluntary movement, or standing with and/or without weight-bearing standing. Training will consist of practicing voluntary movements or standing in the presence of specific scES configurations designed for the voluntary movements of the legs and trunk (Vol-scES), or epidural stimulation configurations specific for standing (Stand-scES). Specific configurations epidural stimulation for cardiovascular function (CV-scES) will be provided during sitting and supine and during maneuvers of orthostatic or cardiovascular stress. The ability to move voluntarily, stand, as well as cardiovascular, respiratory, bladder, bowel and sexual function will be assessed in these individuals with chronic severe spinal cord injury. Quality of life and costs of health care also will be assessed.
Epidural Stimulation After Neurologic Damage
Spinal Cord InjuriesParaplegia1 moreThis study will evaluate a method to optimize parameter settings in epidural spinal cord stimulation used to recover lower extremity volitional movement. The study will also characterize improvement in autonomic function (such as blood pressure control) and other functions related to spinal cord injury.
Improve Dynamic Lateral Balance of Humans With SCI
Spinal Cord InjuryThis study is to test whether pelvis perturbation training paired with transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) will be effective in improving dynamic balance and locomotor function in humans with SCI. One group will receive pelvis perturbation training paired with tsDCS, one group will receive pelvis perturbation training paired with sham, and one group will receive treadmill training only.