Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) to Improve Function in Chronic ASIA-A Patients

About this trial

This trial is recruiting individuals with chronic, complete paraplegia to determine if extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) impacts recovery. ESWT is a non-invasive, low energy acoustic wave applied to the bones, tendons and other soft tissue. It is mostly used to treat kidney stones and in physical therapy. Participants will receive either 1) real-ESWT or 2) false-ESWT (inactive placebo control), once a week over 6 weeks. The device will be applied 5 segments above and below the injury level of the spinal cord. Participants selected for the trial will also document their medication use, spasticity, and pain over the 6 weeks. Evaluations will be done at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the ESWT therapy. Those participants who do not receive ESWT during the study (control group) will have the option to receive EWST at the end of the study.