Clinical Study of Treatment of Acute Spinal Cord Injury by Near Infrared Light Irradiation

About this trial

This trial is enrolling individuals with acute spinal cord injuries (less than 3 weeks) to test the implantation of an illuminating laser fiber into the spinal cord during standard surgical decompression. Previous studies have examined the use of near-infrared light in different diseases and it is used clinically for some disorders. In nerve injury, researchers want to see if light therapy enhances the activity of various enzymes, reduces inflammation, and promotes nerve regeneration. This kind of biostimulation has been widely used in the rehabilitation of nerve injury but not in the spinal cord, where illumination is difficult to reach. If selected for the trial, participants with acute spinal cord injuries will be randomly assigned to one of two study groups: 1) receiving the standard surgical procedure (laminectomy) to remove bone fragments and create space for the spinal cord, or 2) receiving the standard surgical procedure plus the implanting of a spinal nerve laser apparatus (a laser device and 360° scattering medical fiber). After surgery, light stimulation is applied by the implant once a day for 60 minutes. The effect of this stimulation on neurological function will be measured, and compared between the experimental group (laser implant) and the laminectomy only (control) group.