Active clinical trials for "Spinal Cord Injuries"

Breathing brief, moderate bouts of low oxygen trigger (low oxygen therapy, LOT) spinal plasticity (the ability of the nervous system to strengthen neural pathways based on new experiences), and improve walking after spinal cord injury (SCI). The greatest improvements in walking ability occur when LOT is administered prior to skill-based walking practice (WALK). However, the enduring benefits of LOT on walking recovery may be undermined by the accumulation of LOT-induced increase in extracellular adenosine. The goal of the study is to understand the extent to which istradefylline (adenosine 2a receptor antagonist) may limit the competing mechanisms of adenosine on LOT-induced walking recovery following SCI.

Tetraplegia after a cervical spinal cord injury (C-SCI) radically alters an individual's ability to perform normal activities of daily life due to paralysis in all extremities, resulting in lifelong dependence.[1] Traditional tendon transfer surgery has proven successful in restoring grip functions which greatly improves autonomy, but with a restricted passive opening of the hand. The number of transferrable muscles in the arm is however limited, why nerve transfer surgery is a new attractive option to further improve hand function by enabling active opening of the hand. Significant advantages of distal nerve transfers include less extensive surgical dissection, greatly reduced hospital stay, rehabilitation and restrictions, and thereby less health care use and costs. In an effort to further improve hand function and independence in patients with tetraplegia, hand surgeons at Centre for Advanced Reconstruction of Extremities (C.A.R.E.), Sahlgrenska University Hospital (SUH)/Mölndal have developed a strategy in which a nerve transfer procedure aiming to restore active opening of the hand is done prior to reconstruction of grip functions. To date, no study has compared the efficacy of this combined nerve and tendon transfer (CNaTT) procedure to traditional grip reconstruction by means of tendon transfer alone, thus constituting a major gap in the literature. The purpose of this study is therefore to fill that knowledge gap by comparing the clinical outcomes of a cohort of patients who undergo the CNaTT procedure to restore hand function, to those treated by means of tendon transfer alone.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) represent one of the most common morbidities in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and reason for re-hospitalization. The consequences of recurrent UTI are a decrease in quality of life and considerable health costs. Immunomodulation therapy with UroVaxom is a very promising method for the prevention of UTI, however data in individuals with SCI are very limited. The primary objective of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility (recruitment rate, patient attrition, compliance, assessment procedures etc.) of a main trial. A secondary objective is to collect data for an informed sample size calculation. Furthermore, the clinical and biological changes after immunomodulation therapy will be investigated. This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, mono-centric pilot study investigating the feasibility of a main trial regarding the effectiveness of immunomodulation with UroVaxom in the prevention of UTI and the effect on the immune system in individuals with acute SCI during primary rehabilitation. There will be two parallel groups of 12 participants each. Group allocation will be based on a block-randomization stratified according to sex. Study participants and outcome assessors will be blinded to the group allocation. The nursing staff will be unblinded and will administer the treatment and the placebo. Study participants will either receive Uro-Vaxom (one tablet / day) or an off-the-shelf placebo for 90 days. After termination of the treatment, the study participants will be followed for 12 months. Blood and urine samples will be taken before and 90 days, 6 months and 12 months after treatment start.

The goal of this single-blinded randomized, controlled trial is to assess the impact of 1-hour of active transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) vs sham taVNS on serum biomarkers of the inflammatory reflex and inflammation in individuals with spinal cord injury. The main question it aims to answer is: whether taVNS is a safe and effective anti-inflammatory intervention for individuals with SCI. Participants will perform a single 1-hour bout of the respective taVNS treatment with blood draws prior to treatment, immediately following treatment, and 24 hours following treatment. Changes in biomarkers between the active and sham taVNS conditions will be compared.

This proof-of-concept case series will prospectively use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of spared spinal cord neural fibers to guide the selection of 2 research participants to receive a surgically implanted epidural stimulator with the goal of restoring voluntary movement after spinal cord injury (SCI). Because MRI evidence of spared spinal cord neural fibers demonstrated significant relationships with responsiveness to epidural stimulation in SCI in retrospective studies, the proposed study is a traditional feasibility study - a prospective investigation to be used to capture preliminary safety and effectiveness information to determine if MRI can/should be used in planning a future pivotal study.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about how a participation-based intervention builds capacity of youth with physical disabilities to pursue activities of their choice in the community. The investigators plan to examine in what ways working with a therapist to set up and engage in an 8-week self-chosen community-based activity builds capacity of youth with physical disabilities to pursue a new activity of their choice in the community without the support of a therapist. During this study, participants will be followed for 26 weeks. Youth will work with an occupational therapist (OT). In the first week, the OT will meet with youth to set a community-based leisure goal. Examples of activities could include music, sports, cooking lessons, painting, or photography, in the youth's community. The OT will work with youth to identify and remove barriers. They will also adapt the activity to help youth do the activity for 8 weeks. During this time, the OT will perform site visits to consult and support youths' involvement as needed. (Weeks #1-8) Youth will have a four-week break after completing their first activity. (Weeks #9-12). Then, youth will be asked to choose a second (new) activity. They will try to start this activity for 8 weeks without the OT. (Weeks #13-20) At the end of these 8 weeks, the same therapist will help the youth for 6 weeks if needed to do their second activity. (Weeks #21-26) Youth will be asked to complete the following online: A standard demographic questionnaire (during the first meeting). Rate their perceived performance in the chosen activity once a week. A questionnaire about their daily participation in the community. This will be done at the start and end of the study. A questionnaire about how well they feel they are able to do things. This will be done three times. Share steps they take to participate in the activity. This will be done through a weekly diary entry. In addition, three one-on-one interviews (for about an hour each) will be done remotely (using Microsoft TEAMS) to share their experience pursuing their selected activities. Interviews will be done before starting their second (new) activity, after 8 weeks of pursuing the new activity on their own, and after 6 weeks with OT support. These interviews will be video, and audio recorded and transcribed. This study examines 'real-life' experiences and participation outcomes of youth with physical disabilities after a participation-based capacity-building intervention.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating health condition associated with permanent disability and reduced life expectancy. It is stated that its annual incidence worldwide varies between 12.1 and 57.8 per million, and its prevalence varies between 236 and 1009 per million. SCI negatively affects the physical, psychological, and social well-being of individuals by causing sensory, motor, and autonomic dysfunction. The level of disability associated with SCI is different for each injury and varies depending on the level and type of injury. However, physical activity (PA), cardiovascular fitness, and respiratory system are commonly observed to be affected in most individuals with SCI. Due to inadequate control of somatic and autonomic systems, a decrease in the cardiovascular response to PA and exercise occurs. A decrease in PA level and systemic disorders after injury promote sedentary behavior and negatively affect cardiovascular fitness in individuals with SCI. Cervical and thoracic spinal cord injuries compromise the function of the respiratory muscles and significantly impair both inspiratory and expiratory function. It also interrupts the sympathetic innervation of the lungs and creates restrictive changes in the physiological and mechanical properties of the lungs. The broad effects of SCI on lung capacity may have implications for cardiovascular fitness. Adequate ventilation is critical to provide adequate oxygen to working muscles during prolonged physical activities. During moderate and high-intensity physical activities, ventilation increases in proportion to oxygen consumption to maintain arterial oxygen concentration and allow continuous PA. Knowing the relationship between PA, cardiovascular fitness, and respiratory parameters after SCI is essential in guiding the course of rehabilitation after SCI. Battikha et al. They reported that respiratory capacity plays an important role in limiting exercise capacity in individuals with SCI. However, the relationship between PA and cardiovascular fitness and respiratory parameters has not been fully examined in individuals with SCI. In this study, the investigators hypothesize the relationship between PA, cardiovascular fitness and respiratory parameters. Accordingly, this study aims to determine the relationship between PA, cardiovascular fitness and respiratory parameters in individuals with SCI.

Rationale: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) suffer from accelerated cognitive aging. In able-bodied individuals, a vast amount of studies have shown that exercise interventions can improve cognitive function. Myokines (i.e. factors released into the blood stream from muscle cells) are considered one of the mediators of this beneficial effect. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), used to replace or support muscle training in disabled individuals with poor exercise possibilities, was shown to elicit a large release of myokines (in some studies larger than following voluntary exercise). However, so far, the effects of NMES on cognitive function have never been studied before. In fact, only one study has previously investigated the effect of exercise on cognitive function in persons with SCI. Objective: The primary aim is to assess to what extent a 12 week intervention with NMES to the quadriceps muscles of people with SCI can change their performance on a set of cognitive tests. Secondarily, the investigators will measure to what extent NMES to the quadriceps muscles of people with SCI induces changes in blood levels of the myokine brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is considered a potential mediator of the exercise-cognition effect, facilitating neuroplastic processes. Study design: A single case experimental design (SCED) with sequential multiple baseline time series and a single-armed prospective study design, with a random duration of the baseline phase ranging from 3 to 6 weeks, an intervention phase of 12 weeks, and a 12 week period without measurements, followed by a follow-up phase of 3 weeks; in addition to a single-armed prospective study design. Study population: Individuals (n = 15) aged 18 years and older with a chronic SCI (>1y post-injury) and with visible or palpable contraction of the quadriceps muscles upon NMES will be recruited at the rehabilitation centre of Adelante in Hoensbroek, the Netherlands. Intervention: The study participants will receive 30min of NMES using surface electrodes on the quadriceps muscles three times per week for a total duration of 12 weeks. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome is cognitive function changes which will be measured using a secured smartphone application (e.g. m-Path). Secondary outcome measures are changes in the blood myokine levels of BDNF and changes in cognitive outcome scores on an verbal cognitive test battery.

Spinal cord stimulation modulates the nervous system to effectively block pain signals originating from the back and legs. Spinal cord stimulation has been shown to improve chronic pain, improve quality of life, and reduce disability. Unfortunately, spinal cord stimulation has a high trial failure rate and a high long-term failure rate. This study consists of a prospective cohort of patients clinically scheduled to undergo spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of chronic back pain or radiculopathy. Participants will undergo a structured optimization evaluating existing types of stimulation (tonic, burst, and multistim). Each participant will try out all types of available stimulation but be blinded to the type. Over the course of four months, each participant will evaluate each type of stimulation by reporting daily pain scores. Thompson sampling will be used to identify which setting produces the biggest improvement in pain and recommend it for future use. Participants will follow up routinely to collect laboratory, behavioral, and survey responses to test for the feasibility of obtaining data explaining pain phenotype.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a neurological disorder that leads to "partial or complete loss of people's motor and/ or sensory function below the level of the injury". The PPI intervention group participants will indicate significantly greater improvements when compared with those in control group in the minutes of performing the moderate-to-rigorous physical activity, depression, chronic pain and mindfulness skills and quality of life at post-intervention, and three months follow-up. The use of psychological motivational interviewing and online face-to-face meetings will be good modalities for the people with SCI to overcome the barriers of not having face-to-face interactions and transportation problems. And the intervention would be feasible and improve SCI people's physical inactivity, depression and chronic pain as to step up the control of the modifiable risk factors for non-communicable diseases.