Improving Upper Extremity Function and Trunk Stability After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Rehabilitation

Arm/hand function

Online since 26 September 2022, updated 165 days ago

About this trial

This is a trial enrolling individuals with recent (less than five months) cervical (neck area) spinal cord injuries to test the effect of arm and hand rehabilitation combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) on upper extremity function and trunk stability. FES is a technique that applies electrical stimulation through the skin to nerves to cause contraction of weakened or paralyzed muscles. Individuals will perform 40 sessions of functional task practice (reaching, grasping, etc.) focused on upper extremity muscles. If included in this trial, participants will either perform functional tasks only, or in combination with either conventional or high frequency FES. Final testing will be performed after 12 weeks.

Included participants

Gender

All

Age

≥ 18 years

Injury level

C1 - C8

Severity (AIS)?

AIS-B

AIS-C

AIS-D

Time since injury

≤ 5 months

Injury type

Traumatic

Healthy volunteers

C1-C8

Additionally, participants must

Currently receive inpatient rehabilitation at Craig Hospital

NOT have implanted devices including pacemakers, spinal cord stimulators, intra-thecal pumps, etc.

What’s involved

Type

Rehabilitation

Details

-40 sessions of functional task practice of ~50min each -functional task practice may be supplemented by one of two different forms of peripheral nerve electrical stimulation of upper extremity muscles - some pre, mid-training and post treatment testing of arm and hand function

Potential benefits

Main benefits

Arm/hand function

Additional benefits

Sensory function

Good to know: Potential benefits are defined as outcomes that are being measured during and/or after the trial.

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