Transformation of Paralysis to Stepping

Early Phase 1

Active, not recruiting

• Conditions: Spinal Cord Injuries
• Interventions: Drug: Buspirone; Device: Non-invasive Spinal Cord Stimulation; Device: Gravity Neutral Device; Device: Ekso Bionics Exoskeleton; Device: Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training; Device: Rolling Walker

• Registration Number: NCT04105114
• Lead Sponsor: University of Louisville

Brief Summary

The main goal of the project is to develop multiple noninvasive neuromodulatory strategies to facilitate full weight bearing stepping overground in people with paralysis. We will determine the effectiveness of combining noninvasive spinal cord stimulation and the administration of buspirone (a monoaminergic agonist) in facilitating locomotor activity in a gravity-neutral apparatus, during body weight supported stepping on a treadmill, when stepping overground in an assistive robotic exoskeleton, or during full weight bearing stepping overground in a rolling walker. Our objective is to identify the experimental variables that define the efficacy of these novel neuromodulatory techniques over a 5 year period in 15 participants with severe spinal cord injury who are at least one year post-injury.

Detailed Description

Aim 1: Define the relative effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical stimulation at multiple stimulation spinal sites and oral Buspirone in facilitating nonweight-bearing (gravity neutral device, GND) and weight-bearing (treadmill) stepping in individuals with chronic motor complete paralysis.

Aim 1.1: Define the relative effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical stimulation at multiple spinal sites to facilitate non-weight-bearing (GND) and weight-bearing (treadmill) stepping in spinal cord injury subjects.

Aim 1.2: Define the relative effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical stimulation at multiple spinal sites plus oral Buspirone to facilitate nonweight-bearing (gravity neutral device, GND) and weight-bearing (treadmill) stepping in spinal cord injury subjects.

Aim 2: Determine the relative effectiveness of Ekso-technology combined with transcutaneous electrical stimulation and/or oral Buspirone in lowering the robotic assistance and enhancing the ability to step self-assisted in a rolling walker during over-ground stepping in individuals with a chronic, severe (AIS A/B) spinal injury.

Aim 3: Determine the relative effectiveness of Ekso-technology combined with transcutaneous electrical stimulation and/or oral Buspirone in lowering the robotic assistance and enhancing the ability to step self-assisted in a rolling walker during over-ground stepping in individuals with motor incomplete (AIS C) paralysis.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2019-09-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-09-25
• Study First Posted: 2019-09-26
• Study Start: 2019-09-30
• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-05
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-10
• Primary Completion: 2025-08-31
• Study Completion: 2027-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 15

Inclusion Criteria

1. Ages 18-65 years old;
2. Stable medical condition;
3. More than 12 month's post injury;
4. Non-progressive spinal cord injury, AIS grade of A, B or C;
5. Neurological level of injury below T1 and above T8;
6. Not taking anti-spasticity medications;
7. Presence of active spinally evoked responses over the lumbo-sacral spinal cord using spinal stimulation;
8. Discontinuation of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (if applicable) for at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of treatment with buspirone.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Active pressure sores;
2. Unhealed bone fractures;
3. Untreated active urinary tract infections;
4. Peripheral neuropathies;
5. Seizure disorders;
6. Cardiopulmonary disease unrelated to spinal cord injury;
7. Anemia;
8. Painful musculoskeletal dysfunction;
9. Contractures in the lower extremities;
10. Lower extremity hardware implantation;
11. Lower extremity lower motor neuron injury;
12. Previous unhealed lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries or disorders, prior to or in conjunction with spinal cord injury;
13. Ventilator dependency;
14. Pregnancy or nursing;
15. Healing wounds/surgical sites along the spine, levels T9-L5;
16. Anti-spasticity implantable pumps;
17. Clinically significant depression, psychiatric disorders, or ongoing drug abuse;
18. Implantable suprapubic catheters;
19. Individuals who are unable to support themselves and/or have difficulty standing;
20. Individuals with abnormal blood panel results related to hepatic function. Up to 10 ml of venous blood will be obtained for the testing;
21. Individuals with increased Creatinine Clearance (Clcr) levels above the normal range;
22. Individuals who are taking drug(s) that interact(s) with Buspirone (BuSpar): Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) - Selegiline (Emsam), Isocarboxazid (Marplan), Phenelzine (Nardil), and Tranylcypromine (Parnate) /these medications must discontinue for at least 2 weeks prior to initiating treatment with Buspirone/; Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - Nefazodone (Serzone) and Trazodone (Oleptro); the blood thinner - Warfarin (Coumadin); Unti-seizure drugs: Phenytoin (Dilantin) and Carbamazepine (Tegretol); Benzodiazepines - Diazepam (Valium) and Triazolam (Halcion); Muscle relaxant - Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril); Anti-fungal drugs - Itraconazole (Sporanox, Onmel), Itraconazole (Sporanox), and Ketoconazole (Nizoral); Antibiotics - Erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin) and Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); Steroids (Prednisone and others); Anti-HIV drug - Ritonavir (Norvir); Anti-hypertensive drugs - Diltiazem (Cardizem) and Verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Covera-HS); Anti-psychotic drug - Haloperidol (Haldol);
23. Uncontrolled autonomic dysreflexia;
24. Osteoporosis.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Complete Spinal Cord Injury - Gravity Neutral Stepping	Buspirone	Group 1 will begin with a 3-4-month preparation phase and up to 12 sessions in the gravity neutral device (GND) will occur. The training sessions in the GND will be used to obtain the optimal stimulation parameters. Next, participants will enter Intervention Phase 1 where they will receive training sessions 3 days/week for approximately 2 hours. This will be done in the GND in the presence of stimulation. Afterwards, Intervention 2 will include the same training procedures with the addition of Buspirone or Placebo in a cross-over fashion halfway through this phase.
Complete Spinal Cord Injury - Gravity Neutral Stepping	Non-invasive Spinal Cord Stimulation	Group 1 will begin with a 3-4-month preparation phase and up to 12 sessions in the gravity neutral device (GND) will occur. The training sessions in the GND will be used to obtain the optimal stimulation parameters. Next, participants will enter Intervention Phase 1 where they will receive training sessions 3 days/week for approximately 2 hours. This will be done in the GND in the presence of stimulation. Afterwards, Intervention 2 will include the same training procedures with the addition of Buspirone or Placebo in a cross-over fashion halfway through this phase.
Complete Spinal Cord Injury - Gravity Neutral Stepping	Gravity Neutral Device	Group 1 will begin with a 3-4-month preparation phase and up to 12 sessions in the gravity neutral device (GND) will occur. The training sessions in the GND will be used to obtain the optimal stimulation parameters. Next, participants will enter Intervention Phase 1 where they will receive training sessions 3 days/week for approximately 2 hours. This will be done in the GND in the presence of stimulation. Afterwards, Intervention 2 will include the same training procedures with the addition of Buspirone or Placebo in a cross-over fashion halfway through this phase.
Complete Spinal Cord Injury - Gravity Neutral Stepping	Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training	Group 1 will begin with a 3-4-month preparation phase and up to 12 sessions in the gravity neutral device (GND) will occur. The training sessions in the GND will be used to obtain the optimal stimulation parameters. Next, participants will enter Intervention Phase 1 where they will receive training sessions 3 days/week for approximately 2 hours. This will be done in the GND in the presence of stimulation. Afterwards, Intervention 2 will include the same training procedures with the addition of Buspirone or Placebo in a cross-over fashion halfway through this phase.
Complete Spinal Cord Injury - Exoskeleton Assisted Stepping	Non-invasive Spinal Cord Stimulation	Group 2 will begin with a 3-month preparation phase and up to 12 sessions in the Ekso device stepping overground. Next, participants will enter Intervention Phase 1 where they will receive training sessions 3 days/week for approximately 2 hours in the Ekso overground, in the presence of stimulation and Buspirone/placebo. The second phase will include the same training procedures except for the removal of Buspirone/placebo administration. The third phase will include sessions twice per week in the Ekso overground with stimulation and one day per week using a rolling walker with stimulation. The last phase will include 2 sessions per week using the rolling walker and one day per week in the Ekso, both in the presence of stimulation and Buspirone/placebo.
Complete Spinal Cord Injury - Exoskeleton Assisted Stepping	Ekso Bionics Exoskeleton	Group 2 will begin with a 3-month preparation phase and up to 12 sessions in the Ekso device stepping overground. Next, participants will enter Intervention Phase 1 where they will receive training sessions 3 days/week for approximately 2 hours in the Ekso overground, in the presence of stimulation and Buspirone/placebo. The second phase will include the same training procedures except for the removal of Buspirone/placebo administration. The third phase will include sessions twice per week in the Ekso overground with stimulation and one day per week using a rolling walker with stimulation. The last phase will include 2 sessions per week using the rolling walker and one day per week in the Ekso, both in the presence of stimulation and Buspirone/placebo.
Complete Spinal Cord Injury - Exoskeleton Assisted Stepping	Rolling Walker	Group 2 will begin with a 3-month preparation phase and up to 12 sessions in the Ekso device stepping overground. Next, participants will enter Intervention Phase 1 where they will receive training sessions 3 days/week for approximately 2 hours in the Ekso overground, in the presence of stimulation and Buspirone/placebo. The second phase will include the same training procedures except for the removal of Buspirone/placebo administration. The third phase will include sessions twice per week in the Ekso overground with stimulation and one day per week using a rolling walker with stimulation. The last phase will include 2 sessions per week using the rolling walker and one day per week in the Ekso, both in the presence of stimulation and Buspirone/placebo.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury - Overground Stepping	Buspirone	Group 3 will begin with a 3-month preparation phase and up to 12 sessions in the Ekso device stepping overground. Next, participants will enter Intervention Phase 1 where they will receive training sessions 3 days/week for approximately 2 hours. The first hour will be done in the Ekso overground and the second hour will use the rolling walker overground, both in the presence of stimulation. Afterwards, the second phase will include the same training procedures with the addition of Buspirone/placebo.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury - Overground Stepping	Non-invasive Spinal Cord Stimulation	Group 3 will begin with a 3-month preparation phase and up to 12 sessions in the Ekso device stepping overground. Next, participants will enter Intervention Phase 1 where they will receive training sessions 3 days/week for approximately 2 hours. The first hour will be done in the Ekso overground and the second hour will use the rolling walker overground, both in the presence of stimulation. Afterwards, the second phase will include the same training procedures with the addition of Buspirone/placebo.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury - Overground Stepping	Ekso Bionics Exoskeleton	Group 3 will begin with a 3-month preparation phase and up to 12 sessions in the Ekso device stepping overground. Next, participants will enter Intervention Phase 1 where they will receive training sessions 3 days/week for approximately 2 hours. The first hour will be done in the Ekso overground and the second hour will use the rolling walker overground, both in the presence of stimulation. Afterwards, the second phase will include the same training procedures with the addition of Buspirone/placebo.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury - Overground Stepping	Rolling Walker	Group 3 will begin with a 3-month preparation phase and up to 12 sessions in the Ekso device stepping overground. Next, participants will enter Intervention Phase 1 where they will receive training sessions 3 days/week for approximately 2 hours. The first hour will be done in the Ekso overground and the second hour will use the rolling walker overground, both in the presence of stimulation. Afterwards, the second phase will include the same training procedures with the addition of Buspirone/placebo.
Complete Spinal Cord Injury - Exoskeleton Assisted Stepping	Buspirone	Group 2 will begin with a 3-month preparation phase and up to 12 sessions in the Ekso device stepping overground. Next, participants will enter Intervention Phase 1 where they will receive training sessions 3 days/week for approximately 2 hours in the Ekso overground, in the presence of stimulation and Buspirone/placebo. The second phase will include the same training procedures except for the removal of Buspirone/placebo administration. The third phase will include sessions twice per week in the Ekso overground with stimulation and one day per week using a rolling walker with stimulation. The last phase will include 2 sessions per week using the rolling walker and one day per week in the Ekso, both in the presence of stimulation and Buspirone/placebo.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Lower Extremity Electromyography, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	Assessment of muscle activity, measured by electromyography, while the leg is suspended in a gravity neutral position.
Lower Extremity Kinematics, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	Assessment of low extremity 3D position, measured by motion analysis system, while the leg is suspended in a gravity neutral position.
Treadmill Electromyography Assessment, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	Muscle activity, measured by electromyography, will be recorded during weight supported stepping on a treadmill.
Spinal Pathway Electrophysiology, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	Evoked potentials in the lower extremities will recorded in response to nerve or spinal stimulation.
Voluntary Lower Extremity Angles, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	Assessments of knee, ankle, and toe movements will be performed by measuring angles produced during flexion and extension. The same units of measure will be used for each part of the leg.
Voluntary Lower Extremity Forces, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	Assessments of knee, ankle, and toe forces during movements will be performed by measuring forces produced during flexion and extension. The same units of measure will be used for each part of the leg.
Body Temperature, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	We will measure body temperature using standard methods to assess values at rest and during exercise.
Blood Pressure, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	We will measure blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) using standard methods to assess values at rest and during exercise.
Heart Rate, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	We will measure the heart rate using standard electrocardiography to assess values at rest and during exercise.
Respiration Rate, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	We will measure respiratory rate using standard methods to assess values at rest and during exercise.
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	We will use dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure bone and soft tissue density.
Acoustic Gastro-Intestinal Surveillance, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	We will use non-invasive sensors placed on the abdomen to detect signals related to the digestive state.
Bladder capacity, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	We will use a standard technique to measure bladder volume change during voiding.
Urodynamics, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	We will use a standard technique to measure the abdominal pressure change during voiding.
Cognitive interference, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	A cognitive assessment using Stroop test will be administered to assess cognitive function during stress.
Assessment of verbal fluency, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) will be administered to assess verbal fluency that measures ability of spontaneous production of words.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
International Standards of Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	This standard clinical assessment assess the level and severity of a spinal cord injury.; The neurological level of injury is rated from A-E. "A" is a motor and sensory complete injury. "E" is completely normal at each spinal segment.; Sensory function is rated as 0-2, or Not Testable. Motor function is rated as 0-5 or Not Testable.
Spinal Cord Injury Functional Ambulation Inventory, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	This 3-part scale measures gait parameters, use of assistive devices, and distances traveled during walking. The gait parameters are scored on a 20-point scale, the assistive device use on a 14-point scale, and the walking distance on a 5-point scale.
Spinal Cord Independence Measure III, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	This 3-part scale is scored out of 100 points possible. The first part (self-care) is scored out of 20. The second part (respiration and sphincter management) is scored out of 40. And the last part (mobility) is scored out of 40.
Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury-II, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	This is a 20-point scale used to assess the amount of physical assistance needed during walking.
Ashworth Scale, change over time	Before and after each study phase, 1 year per group.	This is a 6-part scale to measure and quantify the amount of muscle tone experienced when a joint is moved through a full range of motion.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Frazier Rehabilitation and Neuroscience Institute; 🇺🇸 Louisville, Kentucky, United States