About this trial
The loss of movement and walking ability significantly affects quality of life after spinal cord injury. In addition, bladder dysfunction consistently ranks as one of the top disorders affecting quality of life after spinal cord injury. The overall objective of this study is to demonstrate that epidural stimulation may be a method for improving stepping, standing and bladder function in individuals with spinal cord injury. With the use of epidural stimulation, the investigators propose to investigate how well the participant can stand and walk and how well the participant's bladder can store or hold urine as well as void or empty urine. The results of this study may aid in the development of treatments to help individuals with spinal cord injuries that are unable to stand or walk and have impaired bladder function.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
At least 18 years of age
non-progressive SCI
stable medical condition
Inability to stand and step independently
Disqualifiers
ventilator dependent
untreated painful musculoskeletal dysfunction, fracture or pressure sore
untreated psychiatric disorder or ongoing drug abuse
cardiovascular, respiratory, bladder, or renal disease unrelated to SCI
Trial design
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Epidural stimulation + Stand Training
Combination productParticipants may use a standing apparatus or a less assistive device such as walker or cane. In case of upper limbs and trunk control insufficient for safely using the standing apparatus, participants will be placed on the treadmill, and a body weight support system. In this case, the level of body weight support will be continuously reduced as the individuals increase their ability to bear weight. A trainer positioned behind the participant will aid in pelvis and trunk stabilization. Trainer(s) positioned at the lower limb will provide manual facilitation for knee extension during standing. Manual facilitation at the trunk-pelvis and at the legs will be used only when needed.Participants will be encouraged to stand for as long as possible throughout the training session, with the goal to stand for 60 minutes with the least amount of assistance.
Epidural stimulation + Step Training
Combination productParticipants may be placed on the treadmill in an upright position and suspended in a harness. All trainers are careful to provide manual assistance only when needed. A trainer positioned behind the research participant will aid in pelvis and trunk stabilization, as well as appropriate weight shifting and hip rotation during the step cycle. Trainers positioned at each limb will provide manual assistance to promote knee extension and knee flexion and toe clearance. Research participants will step at various body weight load and speed. Research participants will take a break and rest at any time they feel the need to during the session. If independence is achieved during stepping, some training might be performed overground with appropriate assistive device and manual assistance to maintain participant safety. Participants will be encouraged to step for 60 minutes with the least amount of assistance. Seated or standing resting periods will occur when requested by the individuals
Epidural stimulation + Bladder Capacity Training
Combination productWe will initially conduct daily training for capacity in a supervised on-site lab setting. Optimal configurations will be used. The storage phase configuration will be used until the time for voiding/catheterization. The training procedure will be repeated for up to 8 hours daily on-site until three consecutive stable days of maintaining a consistent capacity values are achieved and deemed safe. In the home setting, participants will record blood pressure values, voided and residual volumes. Participants will return to the lab the following day for monitoring and testing. If assessments show stable outcomes, participants will be allowed to train at home for 7 consecutive days, prior to returning to the lab for clinical evaluation (urodynamics and questionnaires). On the return visit, if their storage/voiding outcomes remained stable over the 7 days, they will be able to start the home-based training for bladder capacity.
Epidural stimulation + Bladder Voiding Efficiency Training
Combination productWe will conduct training for voiding efficiency in a supervised on-site lab setting while the participant continues his/her training for capacity. Voiding without catheterization will be attempted. The training procedure will be repeated for up to 8 hours on-site until three stable days of maintaining a consistent voiding efficiency are achieved and deemed safe. The participant will be sent home for one day to perform the stimulation at home. In the home setting, participants will record blood pressure values, voided and residual volumes. Participants will return to the lab the following day for monitoring and testing. If assessments show stable outcomes, participants will be allowed to train at home for 7 consecutive days, prior to returning to the lab for clinical evaluation and questionnaires. On the return visit, if their storage/voiding outcomes remained stable over the 7 days, they will be able to start the home program integrating bladder training for capacity and voiding
Treatment groups
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
Ambulation
Ability to take independent steps
Bladder storage/voiding
voiding and/or residual volume (ml)
Sponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Claudia Angeli
Lead sponsor
Kessler Foundation
Sponsor institution
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Collaborator