A Feasibility Study: Epidural Stimulation to Enable Volitional Movement After Chronic Complete Paralysis in Humans.
Overview
- Phase
- N/A
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Sponsor
- Mayo Clinic
- Enrollment
- 2
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Duration of time for which subject can sit unassisted on the edge of a mat table
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 6 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
This is a feasibility study to test the use of epidural stimulation to restore volitional function previously lost due to spinal cord injury.
Previous studies conducted in animal models, performed elsewhere and here at Mayo Clinic, have shown that direct electrical stimulation of the spinal cord increases the excitability of spared neuronal connections within the site of injury, thereby enhancing signal transmission and allowing recovery of previously lost volitional function. Recently, epidural electrical stimulation of the lumbosacral spinal cord in four individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) has restored motor and autonomic function below the level of injury. Despite positive results, further translational research is needed to validate these findings. The goal of this proposal is to perform epidural stimulation to restore volitional function in patients with SCI. In two patients, we will implant an epidural stimulator onto the dorsal aspect of the lumbosacral spinal cord dura mater. Patients will undergo a structured program of daily physical rehabilitation, treadmill step training, and epidural stimulation to recover motor, sensory, and autonomic function.
Investigators
Kristin Zhao, PhD
Kristin D. Zhao, Ph.D.
Mayo Clinic
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Stable medical condition without \*cardiopulmonary disease or \*dysautonomia that would contraindicate standing or stepping with body weight support training
- •No current anti-spasticity medication regimen
- •Non-progressive spinal cord injury between the vertebral levels of C7 \& T10
- •American Spinal Injury Association grading scale of A or B
- •Sensory evoked potentials are either not present or have a bilateral delay
- •Segmental reflexes remain functional below the lesion
- •At least 2-years post-injury.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Pregnancy at time of enrollment
- •Failure to obtain consent
- •Prisoners
- •Children (age less than 21)
- •Any patient identified as unsuitable for this protocol by the Mayo study team
- •Skeletal fracture
- •Osteoporosis with Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) t score ≤-3.5
- •Uncontrolled urinary tract infections
- •Presence or history of frequent decubitus ulcers
- •Clinical depression
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Duration of time for which subject can sit unassisted on the edge of a mat table
Time Frame: Approximately 50 weeks after implantation
Assessment of volitional movement of lower limbs
Time Frame: Approximately 50 weeks after implantation
Subject's ability to coordinate stepping on a treadmill will be measured using biomechanical and electrophysiological analyses
Time Frame: Approximately 50 weeks after implantation
Duration of time for which subject can stand weight bearing with minimal assistance provided as needed.
Time Frame: Approximately 50 weeks after implantation
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in total body fat(baseline, approximately 50 weeks after implantation)
- Change in bowel function as measured by the Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction Score questionnaire(baseline, approximately 50 weeks after implantation)
- Change in volitional movement restoration via NeuroRecovery scale(baseline, approximately 50 weeks after implantation)
- Change of bladder function, as measured by the Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score questionnaire(baseline, approximately 50 weeks after implantation)
- Change in sexual function as measured by the Sexual Function Questionnaire(baseline, approximately 50 weeks after implantation)
- Change in body thermoregulatory capacity as measured by thermoregulatory sweat testing(baseline, approximately 50 weeks after implantation)
- Change in lean body mass(baseline, approximately 50 weeks after implantation)
- Change in bone density(baseline, approximately 50 weeks after implantation)
- Change in sitting balance via functional reach test(baseline, approximately 50 weeks after implantation)
- Change in sense of wellbeing as measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire(baseline, approximately 50 weeks after implantation)
- Change in spasticity via Ashworth spasticity test(baseline, approximately 50 weeks after implantation)
- Change in ability of performing basic activities of daily life via spinal cord independence measure(baseline, approximately 50 weeks after implantation)