Spina bifida

This study tests a daily pill called vibegron to see if it safely improves bladder control in children aged 2 to 18 with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO), a condition where the bladder contracts too often due to nerve damage. Participants must already use a catheter to empt…

This early study tests whether combining electrical stimulation cycling with blood flow restriction cuffs is safe and doable for people with chronic spinal cord injury. Six adults will try the 20-minute exercise sessions over 6 weeks. The goal is to see if this approach can be us…

This small pilot study tests whether cutting a fibrous strand at the end of the spinal cord (filum terminale) can relieve symptoms of occult tethered cord syndrome better than medical management alone. Twenty people aged 2 to 80 who have not improved with standard care will be ra…

This study tests whether giving oxybutynin directly into the bladder (instead of by mouth) can increase bladder capacity and reduce the need for more invasive treatments like Botox injections or surgery in children with spina bifida. About 60 children whose current oral medicatio…

This study is for pregnant women carrying a baby with spina bifida, a birth defect that can cause paralysis and other problems. Researchers are adding living stem cells from the placenta to the standard fetal surgery, hoping to protect the spinal cord and improve the child's abil…

This study is testing modified surgical instruments used during fetoscopic repair of neural tube defects (spina bifida) in unborn babies. Researchers want to see if these tools are safe and work as intended. The study will enroll 100 pregnant women who choose to have this fetal s…

This study tests a wearable robotic exoskeleton designed to improve walking in children aged 3 to 17 with conditions like cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, or incomplete spinal cord injury. The device fits on the legs and can assist or resist movement during walki…

This study tests a new surgical approach for newborns with spina bifida, where a patch made from the baby's own umbilical cord is used to cover the spinal defect shortly after birth. The goal is to see if this method reduces complications like wound breakdown and fluid leakage co…

This study tests whether adding folic acid to iodized salt can raise folate levels in women of childbearing age in Zambia, a country without mandatory folic acid fortification. Two hundred fifty non-pregnant, non-lactating women aged 18–45 will use the fortified salt instead of r…

This study tests a new manual standing wheelchair designed for children with spina bifida. Thirty kids aged 8 to 17 will try the chair in lab and simulated home, school, and community settings. The goal is to see if it helps them move and stand better than their current wheelchai…

This pilot study tests whether a mild electrical current applied to the spinal cord (transcutaneous stimulation) can improve leg muscle strength, walking, and bladder function in 20 children with spina bifida (myelomeningocele). The children, aged 4-17, will receive stimulation w…

This study tests a treatment called transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) for children aged 8-18 with spina bifida who still leak urine despite regular catheter use. TTNS uses mild electrical pulses at the ankle to stimulate a nerve that helps control the bladder. Partic…

This study tests a 10-week online group program for adults with spina bifida to improve self-esteem, quality of life, and reduce anxiety and depression. Participants join weekly video sessions with 6-7 others, plus two follow-ups. The goal is to strengthen social skills and emoti…

This study tests whether ankle braces made with 3D scanning and printing work as well as those made the old-fashioned way with plaster casts. About 50 people aged 8 and older with leg weakness from conditions like cerebral palsy, stroke, or spinal cord injury will try both types …

This study is testing a new leg exoskeleton designed by the NIH to help children and young adults with muscle weakness from conditions like cerebral palsy or spinal cord injury. Researchers want to see how well the device works in different real-world settings, like walking on a …

This study surveys 300 young people with spina bifida to compare how different bladder management methods—like catheters or surgery—affect their quality of life. Participants fill out questionnaires about their bladder routine and daily well-being. The goal is to identify which s…

This study looks at two types of enema programs to see which one helps children and adults with spina bifida control their bowel movements better. Participants will fill out online surveys three times over a year. The goal is to find out which method prevents accidents, improves …

This study looks at a special clinic called TLC that helps adults with conditions like cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and developmental disabilities get better, coordinated care. Many of these people face a 'cliff' when they leave children's healthcare and struggle to find adult d…

This study is testing whether certain substances in urine (called biomarkers) can predict kidney damage in people with spina bifida. Researchers will measure these biomarkers in 50 patients and compare them to a standard risk score. The goal is to find a non-invasive way to monit…

This study uses mild electrical stimulation on the skin of the lower back to measure how well nerves and muscles work in 30 children and teens with spina bifida. Researchers will test muscle strength, spasticity, walking speed, and coordination. The goal is to better understand s…

This study is testing whether a mobile health app system can help people with chronic conditions like spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or traumatic brain injury improve their self-management skills and wellness. About 160 participants will use the app for one yea…