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Promoting Recovery Outcomes Through Precise Early Locomotor Interventions in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Spinal Cord Injuries
Interventions
Procedure: Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training
Registration Number
NCT06176833
Lead Sponsor
Milap Sandhu
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if a specific type of additional walking therapy, called body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) affects walking ability following a traumatic spinal cord injury. Specifically, the study will look at whether starting BWSTT, which uses a body harness to support body weight while walking on a treadmill at different times within the first 6 months after the injury, makes a difference in how effective this therapy may be, While we know that the brain re-learns patterns following an injury, there has not been a lot of prior research evaluating how starting this type of walking therapy at specific times within the first 6 months after injury may impact any effectiveness of the additional therapy.

The study will randomize participants into four groups: those who start this therapy within 60 days, within 3 months, within 6 months or who do not receive this additional research therapy. Randomization means that which group you will be in as part of this study is determined by chance, like the flip of a coin. The additional walking therapy for this research study, if you are randomized for one of the three groups who receives the additional therapy, will be given on top of (meaning in addition to) any standard of care therapies that you may be receiving at that time point after your injury.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
108
Inclusion Criteria
  • History of Acute and Traumatic SCI with AIS classification of B, C, or D between the neurological levels of C5 and T12
  • Between the ages of 16-74
  • Weight bearing as tolerated in bilateral lower extremities
  • Able to tolerate a harness
  • Ability to provide informed consent. For minors, consent of parents or primary caregivers/guardians and assent of the minor
  • Able to provide informed consent within 60 days of injury onset
  • Able to participate in all study related activities, including 1-year follow up
Exclusion Criteria
  • Orthopedic injuries, fractures, surgeries, or other conditions affecting locomotor function or weight bearing
  • A weight over 250lbs and if so a BMI greater than 30, or deemed clinically inappropriate due to body habitus
  • Moderate to sever traumatic brain injury of other neurological conditions at a severity which impairs cognition
  • Presence of uncontrolled orthostatic hypotension that limits active participation in intense physical rehabilitation program.
  • Other medical complications such as severe heart failure or large/deep pelvic or lower abdominal wounds that may limit the ability to safely don and doff a harness for ambulation
  • Pregnancy, as confirmed by blood draw

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Chronic InterventionBody Weight Supported Treadmill TrainingAdditional training will occur 6-12 months following SCI
Early InterventionBody Weight Supported Treadmill TrainingAdditional training will begin no more than 60 days following spinal cord injury
Sub-acute InterventionBody Weight Supported Treadmill TrainingAdditional training will occur 3 months following spinal cord injury
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
10 Meter walk test1-5 days Following Intervention

Used to assess walking speed, time taken to walk 10 meters at fastest pace

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
6 Minute Walk test1-5 days Following Intervention

Used to assess distance traveled during a 6 minute walking test at a self selected pace

Daily step counts2 weeks following 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12- month assessments

Step counts from a waist worn activity tracker

Gait Deviation idexBaseline, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12- month assessments

A measure of gait quality by quantifying joint angles during a gait cycle. This data is recorded via a marker-less motion capture system

Walking Index for spinal cord injury1-5 days following intervention

Assessment to determine the physical assistance and assistive devices needed to walk 10 meters

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Baylor Scott and White Institute for Rehabilitation

🇺🇸

Fort Worth, Texas, United States

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