Transspinal Stimulation With and Without Blood Flow Restricted Exercise Via Telehealth in Persons With Tetraplegia
Virginia Commonwealth University
Summary
The purpose of the current study is to evaluate whether a home-based, telehealth-supported intervention combining Blood Flow Restricted Exercise (BES) and Transspinal Stimulation (TS) will improve motor and functional abilities greater than BES+sham TS in persons with chronic, incomplete tetraplegia.
Description
Cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI) results in physical impairment and limited mobility, with the most severe cSCI necessitating wheelchair use for ambulation and impaired upper extremity function resulting in subsequent chronic comorbidities. These comorbidities may include psychosocial, cardiovascular, metabolic and respiratory consequences, as well as a significant socioeconomic burden. The economic burdens for persons with cSCI, their families, and society are increasing at an alarming rate, especially with decreasing mortality due to advances in medical interventions. Restoring some degree…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. A written clearance from the study medical doctor to ensure that the participant is safely able to engage in the study. 2. Participants must have a companion that will be able to help him/her throughout the study. 3. Greater than 1-year post SCI, neurologic level of C8 or above. 4. American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) scores of B, C, or D indicating presence of an incomplete SCI. 5. Visible muscle contraction response to NMES wrist extensors, bilaterally. 6. Agreement to use telehealth services for delivery of research exercise training by study sta…
Interventions
- ProcedureBES + TS
Blood Flow Restriction Enhanced Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (BES) treatment plus transspinal stimulation (TS) plus repetitive practice of task-specific activities, also known as massed practice (MP)
- ProcedureExperimental: BES+sham TS
Blood Flow Restriction Enhanced Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (BES) sham treatment plus transspinal stimulation (TS) plus repetitive practice of task-specific activities, also known as massed practice (MP)
Locations (3)
- Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation CentersRichmond, Virginia
- Richmond VA Medical CenterRichmond, Virginia
- Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, Virginia