Actively Recruiting
Neural Plasticity and Motor Recovery After Upper Extremity Motor Training in People With c-SCI
Led by Annemie Spooren · Updated on 2025-12-12
44
Participants Needed
4
Research Sites
150 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
A
Annemie Spooren
Lead Sponsor
R
Research Foundation Flanders
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
After spinal cord injury (SCI), there is a disruption in neural circuits resulting in paralysis. There is not yet a cure for paralysis. In persons with Cervical SCI (pwC-SCI) recovery of arm-hand function is very important as it has a significant impact on the patients' level of independence and quality of life. Recovery is assumed to involve alterations in both central and peripheral motor systems. Motor training at an intensive dosage potentially provides a powerful stimulus for neurological recovery. This project exploits the peripheral and central neuroplastic effect of an early (\<13 weeks after injury) and intensive (8 weeks of 6 hours in addition to usual care) upper limb motor training program (EIUMT) directed at recovery below the level of the injury in pwC-SCI within an international multi-center randomized controlled trial including 44 pwC-SCI. It has 4 objectives: to investigate 1)central neural plasticity by identifying alterations in cortical neuroplasticity and corticospinal excitability; 2)peripheral neural plasticity by identifying alterations in axonal excitability and number of motor units; 3)behavioral motor recovery of upper limb and 4)relationships between dose dimensions of motor intervention and behavioral and neurophysiological outcome measures after EIUMT. Cutting-edge neurophysiological measures are used to provide insight in the mechanism of neuroplasticity after EIUMT and will be taken before and after EIUMT and at 6 months follow-up.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Neural Plasticity and Motor Recovery After Upper Extremity Motor Training in People With c-SCI
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Traumatic or non-traumatic cervical spinal cord injury within the previous 13 weeks
- Age over 16 years
- Incomplete spinal cord injury categorized as AIS C or D, or AIS A with zones of partial motor paralysis
- Medically stable and cleared to begin rehabilitation
- Likely to remain an inpatient for the next 8 weeks
You will not qualify if you...
- AIS A spinal cord injury without zones of partial preservation
- Any significant medical condition preventing participation
- Contraindications for transcranial magnetic stimulation such as epilepsy, metal implants in the brain, defibrillator, pacemaker, or pregnancy
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 4 locations
1
Revalidatieziekenhuis RevArte
Antwerp, Belgium, 2650
Actively Recruiting
2
UZGent
Ghent, Belgium
Actively Recruiting
3
UZLeuven Campus Pellenberg
Leuven, Belgium
Not Yet Recruiting
4
Zorggroep Adelante
Hoensbroek, Netherlands
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Annemie Spooren, Prof. Dr.
CONTACT
L
Lisa Tedesco Triccas, Prof. Dr.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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