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Spinal Neurorehabilitation for Veterans With SCI
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
Chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating disorder in Veterans and the broader U.S. population that does not have a cure. Veterans with severe SCI demonstrate permanent loss of sensory and motor function below their injury resulting in decreased quality of life and independence. Recently, electrical spinal neuromodulation has emerged as a potential approach to restore voluntary motor function and locomotion in persons with chronic SCI. However, spinal neuromodulation has yet to translate to clinical use due to small sample sizes in research studies and a lack of information on which patients would benefit. Here, the investigators propose a novel approach to evaluate the priorities and barriers faced by Veterans with SCI to use spinal neuromodulation, understand the neural connections remaining in Veterans with severe SCI, and determine potential functional improvements using non-invasive spinal neuromodulation technology. This research represents the first step towards deploying techniques that could dramatically improve function and quality of life for Veterans with SCI.
Official title: Identifying Residual Connectivity in Veterans With Spinal Cord Injury for Precision Neurorehabilitation
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
40
Start Date
2026-01-23
Completion Date
2030-12-31
Last Updated
2025-10-29
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Neurophysiological and anatomical testing
All participants will undergo neurophysiological testing (transcranial magnetic stimulation and somatosensory evoked potentials) to determine residual neural connectivity. All participants will also undergo MRI of the spine to evaluate residual neural connections and changes above and below lesion. These values will be compared to the standard clinical evaluation of spinal cord injury (ISNCSCI exam).
Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation
All participants will undergo spinal neuromodulation through non-invasive transcutaneous spinal stimulation to determine the effects on voluntary motor function, sensation, and activities of daily living.
Locations (1)
Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI
Providence, Rhode Island, United States