Actively Recruiting
Neurostimulation for Respiratory Function After Spinal Cord Injury
Led by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab · Updated on 2025-04-04
10
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
200 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The purpose of this research study is to learn more about the connections between the brain, nerves, and diaphragm after experiencing a cervical spinal cord injury (SCI).The main question it aims to answer is: Changes in respiratory function and recovery using stimulation and respiratory exercise training in spinal cord-injured individuals. Participants will complete a maximum of 55 study visits. They will be asked to complete about 40 treatment sessions which include multiple stimulation sessions over the scalp and neck, followed by about 60 minutes of respiratory training. Assessment sessions will be completed prior at baseline, after 20 sessions and after 40 sessions of study treatment.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Neurostimulation for Respiratory Function After Spinal Cord Injury
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Male and female participants aged 18 to 85 years
- Spinal cord injury at levels C1 to C5
- At least 6 months have passed since the spinal cord injury
- Respiratory deficit after spinal cord injury shown by use of mechanical ventilation or pulmonary function testing with vital capacity less than 80% predicted
- Must have a family member or caregiver trained and willing to operate mechanical ventilator during study visits
You will not qualify if you...
- Any illness or condition that may affect ability to follow the study, patient safety, or data validity
- Any serious disease before spinal cord injury causing exercise intolerance
- Fully dependent on diaphragmatic pacer support 24 hours per day
- Major depression, psychosis, or altered cognitive status before the injury
- History of head injury or stroke
- Brain lesions from vascular, traumatic, tumoral, infectious, or metabolic causes
- History of seizures or epilepsy
- Taking medications that lower seizure threshold
- Pregnant females or women of childbearing age who refuse pregnancy testing
- Ongoing spinal cord compression, syrinx, or diseases such as spinal stenosis, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, or herniated disk
- Metal plate in skull
- Presence of scalp shrapnel, cochlear implants, or aneurysm clips
- Taking specific drugs: Bupropion, Dolutegravir, Lacosamide, Trilaciclib, or drugs that prolong PR interval
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Monica A Perez, PT, PhD
CONTACT
S
Sri Ramya Vemulakonda, M.B.B.S
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here