Active clinical trials for "Spinal Cord Injuries"

The purpose of the study is to study the safety and health effects of using the Ekso Bionics powered exoskeleton device in a home setting over an extended period, ranging from 12-42 months.

Around 80% of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) develop chronic neuropathic pain (CNP). This is a debilitating condition with major negative impacts on people's quality of life. Many treatment options have been offered (invasive stimulation, drugs) but provide limited effects and many secondary effects. There is a critical need to develop a new generation of therapies. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive and painless brain stimulation technique that allows researchers to explore and change brain excitability that has shown promising effects in neuropathic pain. However there is not enough evidence of what are the long lasting effects of the different protocols. In this study, 30 SCI subjects with CNP in their hands will participate in the study. The objective is to evaluate the efficacy of real versus sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and investigate 1) short and long term effects on pain and 2) the behavioral and neurophysiological qualities of responders and non-responders to this treatment.This will be a randomized sham controlled trial with two groups: real or sham high frequency repetitive TMS protocol (20Hz). The protocol will be done daily for two weeks. Clinical, functional and neurophysiological evaluations will be assessed at baseline, post intervention and at 6-week follow up.

As a collaborative effort between MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH)/MedStar Health Research Institute (MHRI), Children's National Medical Center (CNMC) Department of Urology, Children's Research Institute (CRI) Center for Genetic Medicine Research, and Georgetown University Medical Center, the overall objective of this study is to develop, validate, and assess a patient-initiated, probiotics-based, self management protocol that is initiated at the time of urinary symptoms. The self-management protocol will allow patients to manage urinary symptoms and avoid potentially unnecessary antibiotic use, and provide a readily-available means of maintaining health, function, and independence throughout the lifespan.

The purpose of this study is to test if the newly-developed Dabir alternating pressure (AP) overlay could be beneficial to preventing skin damage during daily activities, such as lying in bed. Specifically, the study is being done to test if the Dabir AP overlay could be used to increase skin tolerance when lying in bed for an extended period of time (40 minutes), including reducing pressure and increasing skin blood flow (amount of blood supply to oxygen and nutrients to skin) as compared to regular operation room (OR) overlay. A total of 20 participants with spinal cord injury will be recruited. Subjects will undergo study procedures including: AP and Control protocols. Skin blood flow and interface pressure will be collected non-invasively (from outside the body) during both protocols. During AP protocols, subject will be asked to lie on side (10 min), on back on AP overlay (40 min), on side (30 min), on back on OR overlay (40 min), and on side (10 min). During Control protocol, subject will be asked to lie on side (10 min), on back on OR overlay (40 min), and on side (10 min). Subject will then proceed to vascular control measures, including: non-invasive skin blood flow and tissue oxygen measurements with mild heating and electrical stimulation. Findings from this study will help us understand the effectiveness of the AP overlay on skin blood flow response during prolonged lying in bed.

Project WOWii examines how useful and effective an online format is for helping people with SCI get more exercise over 4 months. Study participants will meet over Skype weekly for 16 weeks and work through weekly online modules to start and stick with an accessible and individualized exercise program. Participants will be compensated for their time to attend fitness testing and complete surveys before and just after the 16-week program.

Pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating a Self-Determination Theory (SDT) video-based tele-rehabilitation physical activity intervention aimed to enhance basic psychological needs, motivation, physical activity (PA), and quality of life- related outcomes of adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). It is anticipated that the individuals who receive the physical activity intervention (intervention group) will have moderate increases in their basic psychological needs, autonomous motivation, life satisfaction, and physical activity participation, and a moderate decrease in controlled motivation and depressive symptoms compared to the individuals who did not receive the intervention (control group).

In tetraplegic patients with complete cervical spinal cord injury, respiratory complications are very frequent, especially in the sub-acute phase: the lungs often become obstructed due to the accumulation of secretions and the contemporary inefficiency of the cough mechanism. The present pilot study aims, in the context of a rehabilitative Critical Care Unit, at evaluating a not yet published method, called "T-PEP" and based on the principle of Positive Expiratory Pressure, applicable to tracheotomised and mechanically ventilated patients. This method, conceptually simple and low cost, is compared with a known method based on the principle of Percussive Intrapulmonary Ventilation (IPV). Safety and efficacy issues are covered.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of an 8- week resistance training routine to improve functional trunk strength, muscle activation, and physical functioning in exercise in 30 adults with paraplegic SCI. This study will also examine outcomes of confidence in one's ability to avoid falling during balance challenges, and self-efficacy for participating in exercise activity.

This study will determine if the implementation of a home-based telehealth high intensity interval exercise-training (HIIT)program can significantly improve cardiometabolic health and physical function in a cohort of individuals with longstanding spinal cord injury (SCI). Results from this study will determine feasibility, overall enjoyment, and health impact of implementing a home-based telehealth HIIT program in individuals with SCI.

The purpose of this study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial of a lifestyle redesign intervention's ability to (1)reduce the incidence of medically serious pressure ulcers and associated surgeries in adults with spinal cord injury, and (2)assess the intervention's cost-effectiveness and potential cost savings and its effects on participants' quality of life.