Active clinical trials for "Spinal Cord Injuries"

This study seeks to validate clinically evoked or obtained objective pain signs with the patient's corresponding quantified subjective pain symptoms. This will allow for validation of objective clinical pain signs to then be used to begin to classify patients with pain based on symptoms and signs. This then can be used as a basis for further study of neuropathic pain mechanisms in human patients.

The purpose of this study is to modify and develop measures that reflect outcomes that are relevant to recovering Veterans and are sensitive to improvements resulting from innovative gait interventions.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the physiology associated with plasticity of the motor system. Plasticity refers to the process by which neighboring brain cells assume the responsibilities of damaged or diseased brain cells. The mechanisms behind this process are unknown. However, researchers have several theories about how plastic changes take place. Possible explanations include the growth of new connections between brain cells and the use of previously unused connections. Researchers plan to use transcranial magnetic stimulation and drug intervention in order to determine the mechanisms responsible for specific types of plasticity. Previous studies have shown that certain drugs can affect the mechanisms involved in these changes. By using one drug at a time, researchers plan to evaluate the role of each of several different mechanisms in brain reorganization.

The long-term goal is to acquire scientific knowledge that can be used to develop mechanistic-driven intervention strategies aiming at restoring upper and lower-limb motor function in individuals with cervical or thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI). The proposed project will examine cortical, corticospinal, and spinal contribution to bilateral hand and arm muscle activity during bilateral movements and spinal contributions to lower limb muscle activity. By comparing changes in different sites within the Central Nervous System (CNS), the investigators may also identify key mechanisms that might be differentially affected by the injury, plasticity, and training.

The purpose of this prospective study is to investigate the association between the amount of residual urine and asymptomatic bacterial prostate infection with the occurrence of recurrent (>2 /year) symptomatic urinary tract infections in patients suffering from chronic (> 1 year) spinal cord injury (SCI) and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction performing intermittent catheterization. The following hypotheses will be tested: The amount of residual urine after intermittent catheterization is significantly greater in SCI patients suffering from frequent (>2 /year) urinary tract infections compared to those without. The incidence of asymptomatic bacterial prostate infections is significantly higher in SCI patients suffering from frequent (>2 /year) urinary tract infections compared to those without.

Background: After a traumatic spinal cord injury, a severe bone loss in the paralyzed extremities is observed. This leads to a osteoporosis which is connected to a high fracture risk. Aims: To compare the two measurement methods DEXA and pQCT concerning optimal diagnostics and assessment of fracture risk in subjects with spinal cord injury. Subjects: 250 women and 250 men (age≥18, any AIS-classification) with an acute or chronic spinal cord injury will be recruited for this study. For a reference group, 500 able-bodied persons will be measured analogously. Methods: Using DEXA-Osteodensitometry, bone parameters of the lumbar vertebral column, proximal femur, distal radius, distal tibia and knee area will be assessed. Additionally, geometric bone parameters of the tibia will be measured by using pQCT. All measurements will be done unilaterally. For the assessment of potential risk factors for reduced bone stiffness after spinal cord injury a questionnaire will be used.

A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) often drastically disrupts the lives of affected patients and their relatives and caregivers. This observational study will provide new knowledge on how patients and their family caregivers cope in the first years after injury in terms of work inclusion, participation, care giver burden and quality of life. This project will utilize Norwegian spinal cord injury quality register data and link clinical individual data from the quality register to national administrative data on employment and social insurance benefits.

People with spinal cord injury are at increased risk for overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and decreased quality of life compared With able bodied. This pilot aims to assess the impact of a nutrition intervention that combines several methods to help people change their lifestyle. The pilot project combines individual interviews and personal lifestyle goals (diet) with group classes for people with long-standing spinal cord injury. In addition to nutrition theory and practical exercises for diet-planning, motivational interviewing and mindfullness are incorporated into the course. The course is interdisciplinary, but is led primarily by a dietitian. Data is collected before the course starts and right after the 9-week course ends. The measurements involves self-perceived quality of life, food diary, weight, waist circumference and body composition (measured by BIA and DXA).

Objectives: To know the main therapeutic strategies used by men with spinal cord injury in sexual dysfunctions.

Were there differences in functional ability between ambulatory individuals with SCI who passed and failed the independent sit-to-stand (iSTS) task? Did the ability of iSTS relate to ability of walking as determined using a type of AAD used? What were factors associated with the ability of iSTS?