Losing Balance to Prevent Falls After Spinal Cord Injury (RBT+FES)

About this trial

This is a clinical trial recruiting individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries to test the effect of a new balance training method on the frequency of falls. Incomplete SCI reduces a person’s ability to perform reactive steps to prevent falls, thus reactive balance training (RBT) is used to help with fall prevention. This training involves having individuals stand on a moveable plate while secured with a harness at waist level. Movement of the plate can provoke a loss of balance and help the individual learn to respond in a safe manner. This study will combine RBT with electrical stimulation of leg muscles, with the expectation that this may help the balance training. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a technique that applies stimulation through electrodes applied to the skin to activate nerves and cause contraction of weakened or paralyzed muscles. If included, participants will be assigned to one of two study groups: 1) receiving the RBT alone; or 2) receiving RBT training combined with FES. Each will complete 18 training sessions over 6 weeks (3 sessions/week). Final testing for balance and strength will be performed after a 6-month period; the frequency of falls will be monitored.