Clinical Research Directory

Conservative Care Versus Decompression Trial for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Pilot

This study is a pilot randomized clinical trial designed to test whether it is feasible to conduct a larger study comparing two standard treatments for mild degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can enough participants be recruited and successfully complete follow-up assessments? * Will participants adhere to their assigned treatment? Researchers will compare two groups: * Surgical group: Participants receive decompressive spine surgery (with or without fusion). * Conservative care group: Participants follow a structured program that includes education, fall prevention strategies, and tailored exercises. Participants will: * Complete baseline and follow-up assessments at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. * In the surgical group: undergo surgery within 12 weeks of randomization and receive standard post-operative care. * In the conservative care group: follow a 6-week progressive exercise program and continue self-management strategies. * Complete a monthly online symptom monitoring questionnaire

Stimulation-based Therapy to Improve Balance in DCM

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if a treatment called transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS), when combined with balance training, can help improve balance in adults who have had surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). DCM is a condition that affects the spinal cord in the neck and often causes problems with walking and balance, even after surgery. This study will also look at how tSCS affects the nervous system and whether it is safe and practical to use in this group of patients. The results will help researchers plan a larger study in the future. Main Questions: * Does tSCS combined with balance training improve balance more than balance training alone? * Does stimulation at both the neck and mid-back work better than stimulation at the mid-back only? * What changes in nerve and muscle activity occur with tSCS? What will happen in this study: * Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1. tSCS applied to the mid-back (thoracic area) plus balance training 2. tSCS applied to both the neck and mid-back (combined stimulation) plus balance training 3. Sham stimulation (electrodes placed but no stimulation) plus balance training * All participants will complete 12 sessions over 4 weeks (3 sessions per week). * Each session will include 30 minutes of balance training and 30 minutes of walking exercises. * Participants will receive stimulation or sham treatment during these sessions. * Balance and walking tests will be done before and after the program. * Nerve and muscle activity will also be measured at the same time points. This pilot study will help determine if tSCS is effective and safe, and will provide information needed to design a larger trial.

Rehab in Mild Stable DCM: Feasibility RCT Comparing Structured Rehabilitation to Clinical Surveillance

The goal of this feasibility RCT is to establish the feasibility of undertaking a RCT investigating the effectiveness of a multi component structured rehabilitation intervention aiming at reducing physical disability in people with mild stable Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy. The main question it will answer are what is the incidence of mild stable DCM in the neurosurgical OPD clinics, what is the eligibility rate and participate rate of those eligible. It will also investigate the acceptability of the intervention to both participants and clinicians and participant retention. Researchers will compare a structured rehabilitation intervention to clinical surveillance. The structured rehabilitation intervention will include education, a physical activity behavioural change intervention, cervical range of motion exercises, neck, upper limb and scapular strengthening exercises and task specific hand function training.