Clinical trials

This case-control study aims to investigate left ventricular remodeling in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) (≥10 years) and autonomic dysreflexia (AD) who have no prior cardiovascular history. The primary objective is to compare cardiac changes between 24 individuals with high-level SCI/D (above Th6) who have AD and 24 individuals with low-level SCI/D (below Th10) who do not have AD. A secondary objective examines how factors such as age, sex, injury duration, and physical activity are associated with cardiac remodeling. All 48 participants will undergo cardiac MRI as well as blood measurement of B-type natriuretic peptid to assess cardiac morphology and function. The findings could shed light on a potentially underestimated cardiovascular risk factor in the SCI/D population.

About 70% of people with a spinal cord injury in Switzerland have chronic pain that lasts more than 3 to 6 months. This pain can be caused by muscle or joint problems, or by nerve damage (neuropathic pain). Neuropathic pain is often hard to treat, and current treatments may cause side effects or not work well. This study will test whether virtual walking from different visual perspectives can reduce chronic neuropathic pain and improve quality of life after spinal cord injury. We will also compare which perspective works best. To better understand how the training works, we will use two tests-quantitative sensory testing (QST) and contact heat-evoked potentials (CHEPs)-to measure changes in the pain and nerve systems.

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the effects of eccentric arm-crank (KREHA) training compared to standard clinical routine strength (STAN) training in individuals undergoing primary spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation. The main questions this trail aims to answer are: * what are the effects of the training on upper body strength, aerobic performance, muscle volume, functional independence, and health-related quality of life? * is the KREHA training feasible to implement into the rehabilitation routine? Participants will: * perform either 20 KREHA sessions or 20 STAN sessions within 12 weeks * perform a test battery to collect data on training effects before (pretest) and after (posttest) the study intervention

The aim of the study is to evaluate voltage gated sodium channel (NaV1.7) dependent pain phenomena in neuropathic pain and chronic postoperative pain.

The aim of this study is to investigate two different modalities of functional electrical stimulation (FES) leg exercise in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). The primary outcomes being compared are 1. FES-induced leg aerobic fitness, and 2. FES-induced leg strength. There will be two FES-leg training groups, and sub-acute patients with SCI will be randomised between the groups - high-short \[HI-SHORT\] and low-long \[LO-LONG\]. Both groups (n=10 per group) will exercise on the Hasomed RehaStim™ exercise ergometer for 6-8 weeks, three-four times per week (24 therapy sessions). \[HI-SHORT\] will perform 10 x 2-min of high-intensity interval training with a recovery of 1-2 min between exercise bouts. \[LO-LONG\] will perform 20+ min of continuous exercise at a low-moderate exercise intensity. Exercise intensity for \[HI-SHORT\] and \[LO-LONG\] will be titrated by neuromuscular stimulation characteristics. The primary outcomes will be assessed before training commences and after 6-8 weeks of training has been completed.

The goal of this study is to investigate the impact of a home-based shoulder strength training on the overall shoulder health in manual wheelchair users, and if the timepoint of such a training makes a difference. The study is focusing on persons with a spinal cord injury in the thoracic or lumbar region of the spine, that have only recently been injured and will soon be discharged from primary rehabilitation. The shoulder training will take place either 3 or 12 months after discharge from primary rehabilitation and will be carried out twice a week for 12 weeks. There are six measurements occurring every three months, which leads to an overall duration of 15 months. The measurements consist of: * Questionnaires about independence in daily life, participation, quality of life and physical activity * Assessment of shoulder strength, range of motion and function * Measurement of the daily wheelchair use during one week via sensors that are fixed to the wheelchair and wrist * one further questionnaire at the end of the measurement week about the occurrence of shoulder pain Additionally, on four of the six measurement timepoints, a magnet resonance image (MRI) of the shoulder will be taken to assess the shoulder status (pathology, muscle volume and quality). Though all these measurements the researchers can additionally assess the load of daily life on the shoulders, and how well this matches the preparation during the primary rehabilitation.

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of probiotic and prebiotic supplementation in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury experiencing gastrointestinal complaints. The main questions this trail aims to answer are: * what are the effects of the supplementation on gastrointestinal symptoms? * what are the effects of the supplementation on gut microbiome composition? * what are the effects of the supplementation on inflammatory serum markers? * what are the effects of the supplementation on gastrointestinal transit time? Participants will: * take either the probiotic or prebiotic supplement daily for eight weeks, followed by a four-week "wash-out period" (= no intake of either supplement) and a subsequent eight-week intake of the other supplement. * visit the study center for four appointments, during which various measurements will be performed.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when trauma or other factors damage the spinal cord, disrupting the flow of sensory information from the body to the brain. This interruption can interfere with embodiment-the body awareness and physical sensations processed by the brain-sometimes leading to a phenomenon called disembodiment. For people with SCI, disembodiment may appear as unusual body sensations, like feeling that a limb is in a different position than it actually is. Such changes in body awareness can impact daily life, mental health, and rehabilitation outcomes. Despite its importance, the study of embodiment in SCI remains limited. This project aims to explore how SCI alters embodiment, focusing on its specific characteristics, the effects on daily life, and the underlying brain activity as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Both people with and without SCI will participate. Procedure: Participants will complete a single examination lasting 2 to 2.5 hours, including approximately 55 minutes in the MRI scanner (with preparation and follow-up).

There is a knowledge gap about the influence of the menstrual cycle on bladder function in women with spinal cord injury. So far, studies regarding urinary incontinence have primarily focused on women after menopause. It has become clear that a lack of the sex hormone estrogen, which occurs after menopause, can lead to urinary incontinence. During the course of the menstrual cycle, women also experience fluctuations in their sex hormones, particularly estrogen. The estrogen level is highest before ovulation and decreases afterwards. The investigators aim to explore whether this drop in hormone levels could lead to more frequent urinary incontinence during this phase. In order to offer the patients optimal treatment for urinary incontinence, it is important to understand the potential causes behind it. Participants will document their menstrual cycles and episodes of urinary incontinences over three menstrual cycles using a diary, and urine tests. This research project is a pilot study and is being conducted by Swiss Paraplegic Research at the Swiss Paraplegic Centre. The investigators are recruiting 12 participants who experience incontinence at least once a month and 12 participants who experience incontinence less frequently or not at all.

This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluates the feasibility, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of a decolonization regimen using polyhexanide in reducing Staphylococcus aureus colonization in the preoperative phase of elective spine surgery, compared to the standard mupirocin and chlorhexidine regimen. The trial involves 24 participants randomized into two groups: one receiving polyhexanide and the other receiving mupirocin and chlorhexidine. The primary outcome is the randomization rate, with secondary outcomes including other feasibility outcomes, tolerability, and efficacy measures such as the reduction in S. aureus colony-forming units (CFUs) and changes in the nasal and skin microbiome composition.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn the effects of robot-assisted therapy using the ArmeoSpring on upper limb function compared to conventional occupational therpay in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI). The main questions it aims to answer are: \- Which of the two forms of therapy, robot-assisted therapy or conventional occupational therapy, is more effective in terms of improving arm and hand function? The study is designed as a cross-over trial, which means that each participant will receive both therapy forms consecutively, whereas the order is assigned randomly (either robot-assisted therapy first and then occupational therapy, or vice versa). In addition to their clinical routine therapy , participants will: * complete a baseline assessment * practice one therapy form (either robot-assisted or occupational therapy) with one arm for 6 weeks (3 x 30 min per week) * complete a intermediate assessment * practice the other therapy form (either occupational or robot-assisted therapy) with one arm for 6 weeks (3 x 30 min per week) * complete a post assessment * complete a follow-up assessment (if the post assessment was completed prior to 150 days post-injury)