SPINAL CORD INJURY

This completed early-phase trial tested whether the drug 4-AP (dalfampridine), combined with special nerve stimulation and leg exercises, could improve muscle strength and control in people with spinal cord injury. 26 adults with injuries at or above the lower back took part. The…

This small pilot study tested two ways to stimulate the spinal cord—one with a surgically implanted device and one with surface electrodes—combined with a robotic exoskeleton to help people with spinal cord injury walk. Four men with complete paralysis below the chest took part. …

This study tested a new rehabilitation approach for people with spinal cord injury. Ten participants received a spinal cord stimulation implant and used a robotic exoskeleton to help them walk. The goal was to improve leg muscle strength and overall quality of life. The combinati…

People with spinal cord injury (SCI) face higher risks of heart disease and diabetes, partly due to chronic inflammation and poor blood vessel function. Exercise helps but is often not possible. This small study tested whether repeated passive heating (using a water-perfused suit…

This pilot study tested whether combining neuromuscular electrical stimulation with daily vitamin D could improve bone health in veterans with chronic spinal cord injury. Six participants underwent 9 months of treatment, with bone changes measured by MRI and DXA scans. The goal w…

This study tested a drug called MT-3921 (Unasnemab) in 72 people with recent severe neck spinal cord injuries. The goal was to see if it could improve arm and hand function better than a placebo. Participants received the drug or placebo by IV over 6 months, and their motor score…

This study tested whether a bone-building drug (teriparatide) and a vibrating platform, alone or together, could improve bone density in 60 adults with chronic spinal cord injury who had low bone mass. Participants received daily injections of teriparatide, used a vibration devic…

This phase 2 trial tested whether combining testosterone therapy with a special type of electrical stimulation (long pulse width) could rebuild leg muscle in 12 people with spinal cord injury whose muscles no longer respond to standard electrical stimulation. Participants receive…

This early-phase trial tested a device called SC0806, which is surgically implanted into the spine. It releases a growth factor to encourage nerve repair in people with complete spinal cord injury. Ten participants were randomly assigned to receive either the device plus rehabili…

This study tested whether a single dose of zoledronic acid, a drug already used for osteoporosis, can prevent the rapid bone loss that often follows a spinal cord injury. Researchers enrolled 60 adults who had recently lost the ability to walk due to injury. They measured changes…

This study tested a low-cost elastic band device designed to help therapists assist people with spinal cord injury while walking on a treadmill. The device uses rubber bands to help move the legs forward during walking. Nineteen participants with spinal cord injury tried the devi…

This completed study tested a 7-week, peer-led program for adults with spinal cord injury and chronic pain. The program combined education about pain neuroscience with body-based tools like red light therapy, massage, and guided movement. Twelve participants attended group sessio…

This study tested a new online program to help people with spinal cord injury cope better and improve their mental health. Twelve adults with spinal cord injury and mild anxiety or depression took part in eight weekly online group sessions led by a nurse. The main goal was to see…

This study tested whether combining two drugs—dextromethorphan (taken by mouth) and lidocaine (given through a vein)—can reduce central neuropathic pain in people with spinal cord injury. 26 adults with moderate or worse pain for at least 3 months took part. Each person received …

This study tested three doses of dextromethorphan (a common cough medicine) against a placebo to see if it could reduce nerve pain in people with spinal cord injuries. 26 adults with chronic central neuropathic pain took part. The goal was to measure pain relief and satisfaction …

This study tested whether daily electrical stimulation of the buttock muscles can help people with chronic spinal cord injury. Thirty participants used a device for 35 minutes each day over six months. Researchers measured muscle volume and sitting pressure to see if the stimulat…

This study tested whether using a device that electrically stimulates the abdominal muscles can help people with spinal cord injury manage their bowel movements more quickly and comfortably. 36 adults with injuries at or above T12 were randomly assigned to receive real or low-dos…

This small study tested whether combining virtual walking (watching a first-person walk video) with mild brain stimulation (tDCS) could help ease chronic nerve pain in people with spinal cord injury. Four participants tried the 2-week program, keeping pain diaries and reporting h…

This study tested whether a high-intensity exercise program, run by physical therapy students, can help people with neurologic disabilities move better in everyday life. Fifteen participants with conditions like cerebral palsy, stroke, or spinal cord injury completed the program.…

This study tested whether applying mild electrical stimulation to the skin over the spinal cord could help regulate blood pressure in veterans with spinal cord injury who have chronically low blood pressure. Ten participants with injuries at or above T6 received stimulation at di…

This Phase 2 trial tested whether KAI-1678, given as a single injection under the skin, can reduce pain in people with spinal cord injury. Only 5 adults with long-term spinal cord injury and chronic pain took part. The study compared KAI-1678 to a placebo to see if it improved pa…

This study looked at how the interaction between a physical therapist and a patient affects recovery during robot-assisted walking training for people with spinal cord injury. 55 participants were split into two groups: one with high therapist interaction and one with minimal int…

This study checks whether a simple six-minute pegboard and ring test is a valid and reliable way to measure upper body exercise capacity in people with spinal cord injury. Researchers will compare the pegboard results with standard strength and function tests in 34 adults who use…

This study tested a new robotic device called REACTION that combines an exoskeleton and a gait trainer to help people with stroke or spinal cord injury improve walking and balance. Seven participants completed two sessions of walking and balance tasks, followed by an interview. T…

This study looked at how spinal cord epidural stimulation affects bladder, bowel, and blood pressure control in 61 adults with spinal cord injury. Researchers monitored participants in a lab and at home to understand autonomic dysreflexia and test stimulation as a therapy. The go…

This completed study surveyed 70 women with spinal cord injury to learn about their experiences with fertility, contraception, and pregnancy. Researchers asked closed- and open-ended questions to understand how the injury affects decisions about having children and choosing birth…

This completed study looked at how the brain controls muscles after a spinal cord injury. Researchers tested 120 people with chronic neck-level injuries to measure nerve signals and motor function. The goal was to better understand how to improve hand and arm movement for daily t…

This study looked at how walking with a robot (Lokomat) helps people with spinal cord injuries recover movement. Ten patients were assessed before, during, and after training, plus one month later. The goal was to understand how gait improves over time, not to test a new drug or …

This study looked at whether ultrasound can measure bladder wall thickness in people with spinal cord injury and how it relates to standard bladder function tests. Researchers studied 116 adults to see if this non-invasive method could help assess bladder health. The goal is to f…

This study analyzed blood and other samples from 106 adults with recent spinal cord injuries to find molecules linked to better recovery. Researchers measured changes in these molecules before and after rehabilitation and one year after injury. The goal is to identify biological …

This study looked at 94 adults with a recent spinal cord injury to see if keeping their blood pressure at a higher or lower target helped them heal better. Participants were split into two groups: one with a standard blood pressure goal and one with a higher goal, maintained for …

This completed study used MRI scans to see how thinking difficulties appear in the brains of people with spinal cord injury. Fifty-four participants completed cognitive tasks while their brain activity was measured. The goal was to better understand non-motor challenges that ofte…

This study from the University of Zurich looked at how people with different neurological conditions walk. Researchers measured walking patterns in 208 adults, including those with stroke, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury, as well as healthy volunteers. The…

This study looked at two community-based wellness programs for adults with disabilities like spina bifida, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. Researchers measured changes in health, mood, quality of life, and healthcare costs over up to 24 months. The…

This study tested whether robotic training that adjusts errors based on each person's abilities can improve motor learning in healthy adults and people with neurological conditions like stroke. Over 250 participants performed arm tasks with robotic devices while researchers measu…

This study looks at how a robotic body-weight support system called FLOAT affects the way people with incomplete spinal cord injury perform everyday tasks like walking, standing up, and climbing stairs. Researchers measure movement and muscle activity with and without the robot's…