SPINAL CORD INJURIES

This study tests a stem cell therapy for people with long-term spinal cord injuries. It uses the patient's own fat cells to try to repair nerve damage and restore feeling or movement. The treatment is given to individual patients under special FDA permission, and aims to improve …

This study tests whether stem cells taken from a patient's own fat and injected into the spine can safely improve movement and feeling after a spinal cord injury. About 40 adults with paralysis will receive the treatment. The goal is to see if this approach can restore some funct…

This study tests whether pairing brief pulses of vagus nerve stimulation with rehabilitation exercises can help people with spinal cord injuries regain arm and hand function. Twenty adults with chronic cervical spinal cord injury will receive either active stimulation or a sham d…

This study tests a 6-month exercise program for people with high-level spinal cord injury. Participants use a rowing machine that also electrically stimulates their leg muscles. Some will also receive a breathing support machine or a drug called Buspar to see if these help improv…

This early-phase study tests whether combining noninvasive spinal cord stimulation with a drug called buspirone can help people with severe spinal cord injuries take steps overground. Fifteen participants who have been paralyzed for at least a year will undergo various training a…

This study tests whether nerve transfer surgery can improve hand and arm function in 70 people with complete spinal cord injuries who have no hand function. Participants must be 18-65 years old, within 3 years of injury, and have stable paralysis. The surgery aims to restore move…

This study planned to test whether donated umbilical cord blood could help adults with stroke or spinal cord injury. It was withdrawn before any participants were enrolled, so no results are available. The goal was to measure changes in disability and track side effects.

This study compares two osteoporosis medications—romosozumab followed by denosumab versus denosumab alone—in 40 adults with a spinal cord injury that happened less than six months ago. The goal is to see which approach better maintains bone density around the knee over two years.…

This study tests whether a personalized nutrition plan can help people with traumatic spinal cord injury avoid gaining excess body fat and becoming obese during the first year after injury. The trial involves 56 participants with spinal cord injuries between levels C1 and L2. Res…

This study tests whether a gentle electrical stimulation device (TENS) placed on the lower back can reduce muscle stiffness (spasticity) and improve movement in people with spinal cord injury. Forty adults with injuries between the neck and mid-back will either receive TENS right…

This study tests a non-drug treatment—hypnosis combined with cognitive therapy—for people with new spinal cord injuries who have moderate to severe pain. Participants receive either four sessions of this therapy or four sessions of pain education during their hospital rehab stay.…

This study tests whether repeated magnetic pulses to the brain (rTMS) can reduce chronic nerve pain that hasn't responded to other treatments. About 32 adults with conditions like post-stroke pain or nerve injury will receive rTMS daily for two weeks. The goal is to see if this n…

This study aimed to see if practicing mindfulness breathing exercises could improve health and quality of life in adults with spinal cord injury. Researchers planned to measure heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolism changes. However, the study was withdrawn before enrolling a…

This study tests whether an 8-week videoconferencing program called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can reduce depression and improve quality of life in 140 adults with spinal cord injuries. Participants are randomly assigned to either the therapy group or a wait-list con…

This study tests a new way to use deep brain stimulation for people with severe chronic pain from stroke, spinal cord injury, or phantom limb. Instead of constant stimulation, the device activates only when pain signals in the brain are high. Four participants will be monitored t…

This study tests whether adding mild electrical stimulation to the spinal cord (TSCS) to exoskeleton training helps people with incomplete spinal cord injury walk better. Thirty participants within a year of injury will receive 24 training sessions with or without stimulation. Re…

This study looks at whether using a powered exoskeleton (a wearable robot suit) can improve quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries. Eighteen participants will either use the device at home or in a clinic over 24 months. Researchers will measure changes in well-being…

This study tests a short therapy called Brief Prolonged Exposure (Brief PE) to see if it can reduce post-traumatic stress in people who have had a spinal cord injury. About 200 adults in inpatient rehab will either get the therapy or standard care. The goal is to ease PTSD sympto…

This study tests a simple idea: temporarily numb the strong, non-paralyzed arm muscles with over-the-counter cream while exercising the paralyzed muscles. Researchers hope this helps the brain focus on the weak muscles, improving their strength, function, and sensation. The study…

This study tests whether electrical and magnetic stimulation can help people with long-term spinal cord injuries move better and reduce muscle stiffness. Ten participants will try different stimulation methods to find the best combination for improving mobility. The goal is to im…

This study tests a method called conditioning open-label placebo (COLP) to help patients with spinal cord injury, multiple injuries, or burns use fewer opioids while still getting good pain relief. About 66 adults in intensive rehab will receive placebos they know are placebos, a…

This study tests whether a non-invasive device that sends a mild electrical current to the spine can improve walking when combined with treadmill training. 18 adults with incomplete spinal cord injury will receive either real or fake stimulation during 36 sessions. The goal is to…

This study looks at whether short periods of breathing low-oxygen air can help people with chronic spinal cord injury walk better. Researchers will measure leg strength, reflexes, and walking endurance in 30 participants. The goal is to find a simple, drug-free way to improve mob…

This study looks at how the immune system of people with chronic spinal cord injuries responds to flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Researchers will compare their vaccine responses to those of healthy individuals. The goal is to understand why people with spinal cord injuries are more p…

This study looks at whether a non-invasive spinal cord stimulation device, combined with breathing, arm, or trunk exercises, can improve lung and muscle function in people with spinal cord injuries. Researchers will measure breathing strength and muscle activity before, during, a…

This study talks to 75 people with spinal cord injuries who used a device that sends mild electrical pulses to a nerve in the leg to help with bladder problems. Researchers want to understand how the device affects their quality of life and daily activities. The goal is to learn …

This study asks up to 30 adults with spinal cord injury what they want in an exercise program. Researchers will use surveys and interviews to learn what helps people start and stick with physical activity. The goal is to design better exercise programs that fit their needs.

This study looks at whether a powered wheelchair that lets children stand up can help them take part more in everyday activities. It includes children aged 5-17 with conditions like cerebral palsy or spinal cord injuries who cannot walk. The goal is to see if this approach is pra…

This study tests a program called Skills on Wheels that teaches children who use manual wheelchairs how to move around more safely and on their own. The goal is to help kids become more independent, confident, and involved in activities. The study includes children ages 5 to 17 w…

This study tests an online group program designed to help people with spinal cord injury (SCI) stay healthy as they age. Researchers will enroll 180 adults with traumatic SCI who have had the injury for at least 15 years or are over 45, and who use a wheelchair. The program focus…

This study tests a new, affordable device that creates controlled slips while people walk. Researchers want to see how people with incomplete spinal cord injuries react and keep their balance. Ten participants who can walk without a cane or walker will take part. The goal is to l…

This study follows 113 people with recent spinal cord injuries to understand how feelings of injustice (like blaming others or feeling cheated) affect their mental health and recovery over one year. Researchers use surveys and interviews to track depression, PTSD, anger, and qual…

This study follows 75 manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury over 3 to 5 years. Researchers use yearly MRIs and motion measurements to see when shoulder damage begins and which daily activities contribute to pain and injury. The goal is to find ways to prevent shoulder p…

This study aimed to create a self-management program to help veterans with a mild form of spinal cord injury (AIS D) improve their mental well-being. Researchers planned to involve veterans in focus groups to design the program. However, the study was withdrawn before any partici…

This study planned to see if a 6-month training program on a special rowing machine that uses electrical pulses to move the legs could improve fitness in adults with traumatic paraplegia. The main goal was to measure changes in oxygen use during exercise. However, the study was w…

This study aimed to test a new way of using electrical stimulation to help people with spinal cord injury control their bladder without cutting nerves. Researchers planned to test high-frequency stimulation in 5-10 people who already have a bladder control device. The study was w…