Active clinical trials for "Spinal Cord Injuries"

Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at an increased risk for metabolic disorders, including that of insulin resistance. As a result of neurological injury, they often have impaired mechanisms that regulate blood vessel function below the level of injury. Insulin, which facilitates the transport of glucose into muscle cells, is also capable of regulating skin blood flow, with insulin resistance reducing perfusion. Although beyond the scope of this proposal, the possibility exists that impaired microvascular skin blood flow responses due to insulin may further predispose to ischemia of the skin at pressure points of bony prominence. This perturbed cutaneous vascular response may place persons with SCI at risk for the development and poor healing of pressure ulcers due to microvascular dysfunction secondary to neurologic and metabolic disorders. Primary Aim: To determine the association between systemic insulin sensitivity and insulin-mediated vasodilatation below the neurological level of injury. We hypothesize that individuals with systemic insulin sensitivity compared to those with insulin resistance will have greater insulin-mediated vasodilatation and an associated proportional increase in cutaneous blood perfusion. Thus, intact and appropriate endothelial-mediated regulation by insulin will be operative despite sub-lesional neurological impairment in insulin sensitive individuals with SCI. However, because of the absence of the SNS-mediated insulin action on the microvasculature (i.e., insulin-mediated sympathetic withdrawal), it is being hypothesized that the vasodilatory response to iontophoresis with insulin in insulin sensitive subjects with SCI will be less than that observed in neurologically intact controls with insulin sensitivity. Secondary Aim: To compare peak microvascular perfusion responses to endothelial-dependent vasodilatation by iontophoresis with acetylcholine to insulin. We hypothesize that the peak blood perfusion responses to iontophoresis with insulin will be comparable in magnitude to that of acetylcholine in individuals with greater systemic insulin sensitivity. This will be in contrast to individuals with systemic insulin resistance who will demonstrate a diminished response to iontophoresis with insulin when compared to that of acetylcholine. Because of SNS impairment, the peak vasodilatory response observed to these interventions will be lower in the group with SCI.

Central neuropathic pain (CNP) is defined as chronic pain due to injury or disease in the central nervous system. This pain is most common among people with a spinal cord injuries (SCI), with a prevalence of about 50%. The central pain usually develops within a few months of spinal cord injury - and this period is significance in terms of this research work. This pain is one of the most complex and challenging pain syndromes. One of the reasons for this stems from its adherence to most treatments. Another reason is that there is partial information about the mechanism responsible for its development. Animal studies suggest that it is possible to prevent and / or reduce its development or reduce its strength by preventive treatment (given immediately after the injury). Currently, the treatments found to prevent or reduce central pain in animals are anti Inflammation and neuronal excitability suppressors such as interleukin 10. The purpose of this study,is to explore whether pre-treatment with pregabalin prior to the development of the central pain will prevent the incidence of pain or reduce its intensity by improving pain regulation and reducing hypersensitivity. The goal of the pharmacotherapy is to reduce the hypersensitivity- lyrica is used to reduce chronic neuropathic pain by reducing the degree of hypersensitivity in the pain system. the objectives of this study are to examine whether early treatment of central pain can prevent or reduce the incidence of pain by improving pain regulation and reducing hypersensitivity. That is, whether there will be a difference between those who take Lyrica-Pregabalin (a drug that reduces hypersensitivity of pain) compared to placebo. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which people with a fresh SCI will receive lyrica or placebo as soon as possible from their arrival at the rehabilitation hospital for 2-3 months during which pain system characteristics will be measured and monitored for central pain development.

This study looks to characterize autonomic nervous system dysfunction after spinal cord injury and identify the potential role that transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation may play at altering neuroregulation. The autonomic nervous system plays key parts in regulation of blood pressure, skin blood flow, and bladder health- all issues that individuals with spinal cord injury typically encounter complications. For both individuals with spinal cord injury and uninjured controls, experiments will utilize multiple parallel recordings to identify how the autonomic nervous system is able to inhibit and activate sympathetic signals. The investigators anticipate that those with autonomic dysfunction after spinal cord injury will exhibit abnormalities in these precise metrics. In both study populations, transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation will be added, testing previously advocated parameters to alter autonomic neuroregulation. In accomplishing this, the investigators hope to give important insights to how the autonomic nervous system works after spinal cord injury and if it's function can be improved utilizing neuromodulation.

Spinal cord injury (SCI), causes loss of supra-spinal control of the sympathetic nervous system and in some cases loss of sensation. As a result, people with SCI have impaired thermoregulatory system and the consequence of this thermoregulatory dysfunction, is that they cannot respond to the environmental changes. All the above lead to dysregulation in vasomotor tone, skeletal muscle shivering and sweating dysfunction. It is well known that skin plays an important role in regulating body temperature and regulates interactions between the environment and human body. A previous study in people with incomplete SCI showed that there are no differences in core temperature between patients with different level of mobility and sensation and different level of lesion, but there are significant differences in skin temperature. As mentioned above people with SCI have an impaired thermoregulatory capacity due to sudomotor and vasomotor dysfunction and that leads to greater thermal strain during rest and exercise when they expose to hot conditions. A previous study that performed exercise in people with SCI, highlights the fact that because of the impaired evaporative heat loss during exercise in hot conditions, they are in great risk. Because of this risk they propose different cooling strategies that promote evaporation such as fans and water spraying. It is therefore important to observe the thermoregulatory function (vasomotion and sudomotor) in people with SCI when they are exposed to different environments (cold, neutral and warm).

Spinal Cord Injured [SCI] patients typically cannot "pee". Injury to the spinal cord disrupts the in-coming and out-going brain signals that coordinate bladder sensation and the emptying of bladder. SCI typically causes chronic retention of urine with uncontrolled leakage of urine. Some form of tube (catheter) is needed to drain the urine except with the mildest forms of SCI. Two types of tubes to drain the urine have been used for many years. These types are the urethral (inserted into the bladder through the opening usually used to empty the bladder) and abdominal, called suprapubic cystostomy tubes (put into the bladder through the abdomen). Bacteria (germs) normally live on our skin. Bacteria have sticky surfaces and so they stick to catheter surfaces. Bacteria reproduce very rapidly from a few dozen to over a million in 24 hours. In a warm liquid environment, like urine, bacteria can reach a density of 10 million per cubic centimeter in 48 hours which causes infection. Oral drugs and antibiotic-coated catheters delay this process by a week or two, but within a month 100% of patients have bacteria in their urine. Existing drugs cannot eliminate these microbial sanctuaries. The TBC is a 'closed access' abdominal drainage tube that has a 'cuff' or 'anchor'. It is permanently placed in the abdominal muscle to bond with the body's tissue. Another catheter is temporarily connected to the TBC that is easily replaceable in the clinic without anesthesia or special instruments. It locks to form a water-tight system. Many parts of the TBC are coated with an antibacterial substance that will delay the growth of bacteria. The TBC has been used with success in multiple animal studies. This is a Phase I human clinical trial in which the TBC will be used 10 spinal cord injured patients, each of whom will be followed for 12 months or longer. Abdominal catheter exit sites will be photographed monthly and tested periodically to document growth of any bacteria. Every three months, patients will complete satisfaction questionnaires and their urine will be tested for bacteria. Urine will also be tested as clinically indicated.

The hypothesis is to the fulfillment of canoeing, handbike and conventional physiotherapy activities the groups could show improvement in muscle strength of the arms, decreased resistance of the lower limbs (spasticity), improved trunk balance and movements of the upper limbs, improves cardiovascular function, bone health, and consequently improve the quality of life.

The main goal of this study is to compare the use of Avanafil versus Sildenafil in spinal cord injury erectile dysfunction. The study has the characteristics of a non- inferiority, randomized, crossover, open clinical trial. The principal variable is the IIEF-EF (Erectile Function Domain questionnaire of the International Index of Erectile Function IIEF). This is an interventional study

A well-managed bowel program is an essential part of daily life for many people with a SCI. Nevertheless, constipation is frequently reported (42-95%). Constipation embraces a spectrum of harms including both physical & psychological distress. Initial exploratory studies suggest abdominal FES may be useful for decreasing overall bowel management time, decreasing colonic transit time and reducing discomfort. The current study will seek to reproduce previous findings in a 12 week study, using overall bowel managementitme as a benchmark for establishing proof of principle. The study will include 36 people with a spinal cord injury aged 18 and over with an above T12 injury, a complete or incomplete lesion in a medically stable condition, one year or more after injury. Participants will be randomised into two groups. One group will receive abdominal electrical stimulation and the other group low dose abdominal electrical stimulation. Participants will be asked to keep a bowel diary and complete questionnaires examining quality of life and bowel management.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating, life-altering injury; requiring tremendous changes in an individual's lifestyle. Cycling, provides an ideal way for individuals with SCI to exercise and address the long-term consequences of SCI by targeting the lower extremity muscles. Cycling with the addition of functional electrical stimulation (FES) allows persons with paralysis to exercise their paretic or paralysed leg muscles. The Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injury Unit (QENSIU) in Glasgow offers FES cycling for people with spinal cord injuries, which combines functional electrical stimulation (FES) with a motorised ergometer that allows repetitive cycling activity. It stimulates muscles with electrodes attached to the skin, producing muscle contractions and patterned activity. So far no previous randomised control trials on FES cycling in the acute SCI population have reported changes in ability to undertake activities of daily living or the trunk balance.

The global prevalence of spinal cord injury is estimated between 236 to 4187/Million. A spontaneous recovery of the sense-motoric function is decreasing with the time after injury and is only seen sporadically after 1 to 2 years. Treatment options are mainly limited to improvement of the quality of life. The present prospective randomized study is intended as a double-blind, placebo controlled multi-center investigation. Patients suffering from chronic paraplegia (lesion between THII and THX, ASIA A = complete central lesion) at least for 1 year after the initial trauma without spontaneous remission of the last 6 months are considered to be included in the study. Meeting the inclusion criteria and signing the informed consent, patients are treated in one of the two study centers. At study inclusion, a baseline evaluation comprising neurological, neurophysiological, functional and clinical investigation is performed. Patients dedicated to the ESWT intervention group will be treated once a week over 6 weeks with local non-invasive low energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy (=6 treatments with an electrohydraulic device). The follow-up will include neurological, neurophysiological, clinical as well as functional evaluation at the time points 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. Additionally, patients will be provided with a diary for documentation of drug adaptation, grade of spasticity and pain. Those patients dedicated to the Placebo ESWT group, will receive the identical scheme in treatment (but without application of shockwaves) and follow-up as the patients in the ESWT group. However, after positive completion of the study, these patients will be offered ESWT as well.