SPINAL CORD INJURIES

This study tested whether a 12-week adaptive exercise program can lower chronic inflammation in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). Chronic inflammation is linked to heart and lung disease, the top causes of death in SCI. Twenty-four participants were randomly assigned to start…

This study tested whether a home exercise program using electrical stimulation for leg muscles, combined with a healthy diet, could improve body composition and metabolism in adults with spinal cord injury. Twenty-six participants were assigned to either exercise plus diet or die…

This study tested three different weight loss strategies in 110 adults with chronic spinal cord injury who were overweight. The goal was to see which approach—prepackaged meals, better self-monitoring, or a combined program—helped people lose weight and improve their health. The …

This study tested whether a person with chronic paralysis from a spinal cord injury could control their own hand using brain signals. One participant used a brain implant to send commands to small electrodes in their arm and hand, which stimulated muscles to create different gras…

This study tested a drug called romosozumab to see if it could improve bone health in women with chronic spinal cord injury and osteoporosis. Twelve women received monthly injections for one year, followed by a year of weekly alendronate pills. The goal was to measure changes in …

This study tested a fall prevention training program for people with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). Falls are very common in this group, but current training only helps those who can already step without support. The researchers added functional electrical stimulation (FES…

This study looked at whether three approved drugs (cyproheptadine, carbidopa-levodopa, and atomoxetine) could help improve hand movement when taken along with hand training exercises in people with chronic spinal cord injury. 25 adults with long-term spinal cord injury participat…

This study tested whether the drug brivaracetam can reduce nerve pain in people with chronic spinal cord injury. 44 adults took either the drug or a placebo for 7 weeks. Researchers measured changes in pain intensity and how pain affected daily life, mood, and sleep.

This study tested two 8-week home exercise programs for 96 adults with spinal cord injury: one set to music and one standard routine. Participants were randomly assigned to either program or a control group. The goal was to see if these remote programs could increase physical act…

This study tested whether video-based therapy (telepsychology) can help people with spinal cord injury who feel depressed. 75 adults with a recent spinal cord injury and mild to moderate depression received cognitive behavior therapy over iPad FaceTime. The goal was to reduce dep…

This study tested a drug called brivaracetam to see if it can reduce severe nerve pain in people with chronic spinal cord injury. 24 adults with spinal cord injury and daily pain rated 9 or 10 out of 10 took either the drug or a placebo for 3 months. The goal was to check if the …

This small study tested whether adding two non-invasive treatments—brief breathing of low-oxygen air (acute intermittent hypoxia) and mild electrical stimulation on the back—to standard walking therapy could improve walking and balance in people with spinal cord injury. Fourteen …

This small pilot study tested whether a non-invasive treatment called extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) can safely reduce muscle stiffness and spasms in people with chronic spinal cord injury. Five participants received either ESWT or a sham treatment. The goal was to gathe…

This study tested a new approach to improve hand and arm function in people with chronic spinal cord injury. Participants did short sessions of breathing air with slightly less oxygen, followed by high-intensity arm training, for one month. The goal was to see if this combination…

This study tested a new online program called E-COSP designed to help people with spinal cord injury cope better and improve their mental health. Twelve adults with spinal cord injury who had mild to moderate anxiety or depression took part in eight weekly online group sessions l…

This study tested a mobile app called SCI-Lynx designed to help people with spinal cord injury support each other in physical activity. 33 adults who use wheelchairs used the app for one month. The goal was to see if the app was easy to use and if it helped improve exercise confi…

This study tested whether the drug Buspar can increase breathing capacity in people with chronic high-level spinal cord injuries. Thirteen adults with injuries at or above the T3 level took part. Researchers measured lung function, breathing drive, sleep quality, and exercise cap…

This study tested a combination of mild electrical muscle stimulation (FES) and a balance video game (VFBT) in 18 people with spinal cord injury or stroke. The goal was to improve balance, strength, and confidence to prevent falls. Participants used the MyndSearch device while st…

This study tested a new therapy for people with partial spinal cord injuries who have trouble standing. The therapy combines two types of electrical stimulation with a balance training game. 17 participants completed 12 sessions over 4 weeks. The goal was to improve balance and s…

This study tested a new rehab approach for people with long-term spinal cord injury (paraplegia). It combined mild brain stimulation (tDCS) with a special movement training method called NEUROM. 56 adults with chronic injury below the chest took part. The goal was to see if this …

This study tested whether a brain-computer interface (BCI) training could improve hand and arm movement in people with recent spinal cord injuries. Thirty participants used a BCI system that reads brain signals during hand movement imagery, while a comparison group did similar im…

This study tested two types of non-invasive brain stimulation (iTBS and rTMS) combined with robotic walking therapy in 30 people with chronic spinal cord injury. The goal was to see if these treatments could improve leg strength, walking ability, and daily independence. All parti…

This study tested a type of talk therapy called prolonged exposure therapy for people with both PTSD and a spinal cord injury. 30 adults who were at least 30 days past their injury took part. They were randomly assigned to either receive the therapy or continue their usual care. …

This study tested whether people with spinal cord injuries can safely reach a high heart rate while walking in a robotic exoskeleton. Eleven participants completed five training sessions using the Ekso exoskeleton. Researchers measured heart rate and walking speed to see if this …

This study tested an intensive motor rehabilitation program that uses advanced technology to help adults with chronic stroke or spinal cord injury. 102 participants were randomly assigned to either the tech-enhanced rehab or standard care. The goal was to see if the program impro…

This study tested a 12-week exercise program set to music for 108 adults with physical disabilities like spinal cord injury, stroke, or multiple sclerosis. Participants were randomly assigned to the music exercise group or a waitlist. The goal was to see if the program improved h…

This study tested whether adding a special bike that uses mild electrical pulses (FES) to standard robot-assisted therapy could improve walking and leg strength in people with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury. 38 adults who could already walk a short distance with or without…

This study tested a home-based program for people with spinal cord injury that combines leg cycling with electrical stimulation, arm exercise, and a hormone treatment. The goal was to see if this approach improves aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and overall health better than …

This study tested whether starting gentle leg cycling in bed within 48 hours after spinal surgery is safe and possible for people with severe spinal cord injuries. Forty-five adults took part, cycling for 30 minutes daily for two weeks. Researchers checked for safety, how many se…

This study aimed to find out if high-intensity walking training is more effective than lower-intensity exercise for improving walking ability in people with chronic, incomplete spinal cord injuries. It involved 53 participants who could walk with minimal or no assistance. Researc…

This study aimed to create mathematical models that estimate how much force a person with arm weakness can produce, based on joint angle and movement speed. Researchers worked with 32 adults who had arm weakness from stroke, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injury. The goal is …

This study looked at how people with spinal cord injury experience bladder catheterization, both physically and emotionally. Researchers measured heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety levels in 22 adults during self-catheterization and when a nurse performed it. The goal was to…

This study looked at whether virtual reality (VR) games could be a useful tool for arm and hand rehabilitation in people with tetraplegia (paralysis of all four limbs) due to a spinal cord injury. Twelve adults from a spinal injuries unit took part. Some received standard therapy…

This study tested a new training device called an eccentric arm-crank in 12 athletes with spinal cord injury. Participants did 20 training sessions to see if the device could improve their upper body strength and endurance. The goal was to check if the device is practical and eff…

This early-phase study tested a new wireless patch that uses a tiny, painless electrical current to push bowel medications through the skin. The goal was to see if this method is safe and works as well as a wired version. Only 2 healthy volunteers took part, so the results are ve…

This study looked at how robotic gait training compares to standard walking therapy for people with spinal cord injury during inpatient rehab. 115 participants were involved, and researchers measured improvements in walking ability and independence. The goal was to find out which…

This study looked at how the calf muscle and Achilles tendon stretch and move during walking in 64 people who had a stroke or spinal cord injury, compared to healthy individuals. Researchers used ultrasound and 3D motion capture to measure these changes. The goal was to better un…

This study tested whether a new stimulation device is safe and practical for people with a recent spinal cord injury (less than 6 months). Eight adults participated while staying at a rehabilitation hospital. Researchers checked for side effects and measured how well the device w…

This study looked at whether people with spinal cord injury can strengthen the connections between their brain and leg muscles through a special training program. 21 participants completed sessions over several months, using brain stimulation and muscle monitoring. The goal was t…

This study looked at how one session of high-intensity interval training (short, intense bursts of exercise) affects heart and brain function in 30 people with spinal cord injury compared to those without injury. The goal was to see if this type of exercise could improve blood pr…

This study looked at what resilience means for people who have had a spinal cord injury. Researchers interviewed 28 adults at different stages of recovery (1-5 years, 5-15 years, and over 15 years after injury) and asked them to fill out surveys. The goal was to find common theme…

This study followed 42 adults with spinal cord injury for one year after leaving rehab. Researchers tracked what they ate, how active they were, and factors like mood and kitchen access to understand why weight gain happens. The goal is to use this information to design better he…

This study looked at how two drugs, neostigmine and glycopyrrolate, move through the body when given through an IV or a skin patch using a mild electrical current (iontophoresis). Six healthy adults took part to help researchers understand the drugs' behavior. The goal was to gat…

This study looked at whether mild nerve stimulation can change blood flow in the vagina. Researchers tested it on 9 women: some healthy, some with sexual problems, and some with spinal cord injuries. They used a small sensor to measure blood flow changes during stimulation.

This study looked at 80 people with spinal cord injuries to understand why they develop pain or problems in their arms, shoulders, and hands. Researchers used ultrasound and physical exams to find links between these issues and how long someone has used a wheelchair or been injur…

This study looked at how sleep apnea and low oxygen levels impact muscle strength and lung function in 30 adults with chronic spinal cord injury. Researchers measured hand grip strength and muscle activity to compare those with and without moderate to severe sleep apnea. The goal…

This study tested whether personalized walking training based on detailed 3D movement analysis works better than standard walking therapy for people with spinal cord damage from injury or multiple sclerosis. 63 participants received either training tailored to their specific walk…

This study looked at whether slow, yogic-style breathing can affect heart rate and blood pressure in people with spinal cord injury. Seventeen wheelchair users completed breathing exercises while researchers measured heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. The goal was to …

This early study looked at whether temporarily restricting blood flow to a limb (using a blood pressure cuff) could help improve hand function in people with spinal cord injury or ALS. The idea is that this 'remote ischemic conditioning' might trigger the body's natural repair pr…