Clinical Evaluation of a Wheelchair Mounted Robotic Arm
Spinal Cord InjuryThe primary purpose of this project, is to evaluate the effect of a wheelchair mounted robotic arm (WMRA) to improve the functional independence of veterans with SCI. The study will determine if the ability to perform marker tasks within the following four categories is improved after the 4 week training period using the robotic arm: 1. activities of daily living, 2. vocational tasks, 3. advanced tasks, and subject-specific tasks.
Dose Response to the Norepinephrine Precursor Droxidopa in Hypotensive Individuals With Spinal Cord...
HypotensionOrthostatic2 moreThe goal of this study is to determine the efficacy of the drug Droxidopa (Northera) in increasing blood pressure in subject with hypotension, low blood pressure, which is classified as blood pressure less than 110/70 in males and 100/70 in females. The first aim is to determine the proportion of subject with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) who have a normotensive response to Droxidopa. The second is to determine the proportion of subject with SCI who express a hypertensive response to Droxidopa. A Normal blood pressure ranges from 111-139 in males and 101-139 in females and a hypertensive blood pressure is anything higher than 140 in males and females. The study would take place in James J. Peters VA Medical Center (JJPVAMC) and The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) in Manhattan, New York.
A Pilot Nutrition Program for Spinal Cord Injury and MS
Spinal Cord InjuriesMultiple SclerosisThe purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of a 12-week pilot community-based nutrition program for individuals with spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis, and to determine the effects of the nutrition program on body composition, inflammation, neuropathic pain, depression and quality of life.
Functional Electrical Stimulation During Cycling in People With Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord InjuriesNeuroscience research that has identified potential for recovery (neuroplasticity) following incomplete SCI has changed clinical practice away from compensation strategies towards optimizing recovery. Important factors include: repetitive exercise, Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) and appropriate feedback. The iCycle combines repetitive exercise with FES and provides feedback on performance in a virtual cycle race. Unlike previous devices, performance in the race is determined only by voluntary effort (i.e. not torque generated by FES plus voluntary effort). In this study with incomplete SCI participants we will test the iCycle with six inpatients to refine the protocol and make technical improvements. We will then conduct an ABA pilot study (n=10) in which a 3G-connected iCycle is used in people's own homes. We will compare usual care (A) with iCycle exercise (B). Changes in neural connectivity (TMS evoked EMG potentials), muscle strength and walking will be measured as well qualitative analysis of users' views.
Reducing Anticholinergic Bladder Medication Use in Spinal Cord Injury With Home Neuromodulation...
Chronic Spinal Cord InjuryNeurogenic BladderThe purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of home transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) in spinal cord injury(SCI) and to determine the impact on quality of life using TTNS at home
Telenutrition in Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord InjuryObesityThe purpose of the study is to provide tele-nutrition counseling after a spinal cord injury (SCI). During the three months of participation, subjects will be given an iPad and the iPad will be used to record meals using a photo journal application, YouAte. In addition, subjects will receive dietary advice two times a month with a registered dietitian (RD). The dietitian role in the study will be to educate healthy weight management and accommodate any cultural and behavioral habits. The objective of this study is to show that the proposed tele-nutrition program will be effective with weight management through 3-month tele-nutrition counseling via iPad FaceTime. The hypotheses are 1) that weight and waist circumference will not increase after 3 months of tele-nutrition program, 2) quality of life will improve, and 3) quality of diet will improve.
Exercise Training and Manual Wheelchair Users With SCI
Spinal Cord InjuriesThe overall purpose of this pilot randomized control trial (RCT) is to determine the efficacy of the high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise protocols for the WheelMill System (WMS) to improve exercise intensity, cardiovascular fitness, metabolic health, and psychological well-being in manual wheelchair users (MWUs) with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Virtual Reality Walking for Neuropathic Pain in Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord InjuriesNeuropathic PainThis study will examine the effectiveness of one of two virtual reality treatments on neuropathic pain in individuals with spinal cord injury.
Effects of Walking Training on Different Surfaces on Walking Ability in Ambulatory Patients With...
Spinal Cord InjuriesRehabilitationThe study compares effects of 4-week walking training program on a walking track with difference surface [WTDS] and a firm ground on functional ability of ambulatory individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury [iSCI], using within- and between-group comparisons.
Effectiveness of NEUROM Combined With tDCS to Guide Motor Recovery in Paraplegics Patients
Spinal Cord InjuriesIn a traditional view going back to 1800, spinal cord has been described as a protected bundle of nerves that connects the brain to the body. Galen contended that spinal cord mediates motor, sensory and some of the autonomic functions below the neck. Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (TSCI) is a catastrophic unexpected and devastating event that can be occurred along the spinal column (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar). A global-incident rate (2007) is estimated at 23 TSCI cases per million (179312 cases per annum). TSCI can often results in a life-threatening condition that includes varying degrees of motor paralysis and sensory loss and impairment of bowel, bladder, sexual, and other physiologic functions. In this study, investigators suggest a new experimental rehabilitative protocol for TSCI patients called Neural Motor Recruitment Method (NEUROM). This method is based on the mentioned histological and/or functional reorganization model after TSCI, on the MI concepts and the targeted sensory inputs related to motor recovery. The hypothesis here is that NEUROM can enhance sparing- induced plasticity and increase motor and sensory recovery in SCI patients especially when combined to tDCS.