Harnessing Neuroplasticity to Enhance Functional Recovery During Chronic Recovery From Upper Extremity Nerve Repair

Description

This study adopts a strategy that has arisen from basic neuroscience research on facilitating adaptive brain plasticity and applies this to rehabilitation to improve functional recovery in peripheral nervous system injuries (including hand transplantation, hand replantation, and surgically repaired upper extremity nerve injuries). The technique involves combining behavioral training with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-a non-invasive form of brain stimulation capable of facilitating adaptive changes in brain organization.

Conditions

Hand Transplantation, Peripheral Nerve Injuries, Neurologic Rehabilitation

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Study Details

Study overview

This study adopts a strategy that has arisen from basic neuroscience research on facilitating adaptive brain plasticity and applies this to rehabilitation to improve functional recovery in peripheral nervous system injuries (including hand transplantation, hand replantation, and surgically repaired upper extremity nerve injuries). The technique involves combining behavioral training with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-a non-invasive form of brain stimulation capable of facilitating adaptive changes in brain organization.

Harnessing Neuroplasticity to Enhance Functional Recovery in Allogeneic Hand Transplant and Heterotopic Hand Replant Recipients

Harnessing Neuroplasticity to Enhance Functional Recovery During Chronic Recovery From Upper Extremity Nerve Repair

Condition
Hand Transplantation
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Louisville

Christine Kleinert Institute for Hand & Microsurgery, Louisville, Kentucky, United States, 40202

Columbia

University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States, 65211

Saint Louis

Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63110

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Individuals whom have received a unilateral allogeneic transplantation proximal to the wrist and are at the chronic stage of recovery (approx. 12 - 18 months following surgery, when Tinel's sign reaches the distal fingertips).
  • * Individuals whom have undergone a complete amputation the hand between the wrist and elbow followed by successful re-attachment and are at the chronic stage of recovery (approx. 12 - 18 months following surgery, when Tinel's sign reaches the distal fingertips).
  • * Individuals whom have undergone repairs of the median, ulnar, or other related or nearby nerve(s) following complex volar forearm lacerations or other injuries between the distal wrist crease and the flexor musculotendinous junctions. Individuals must be at the chronic stage of recovery (approx. 12 - 18 months following surgery, when Tinel's sign reaches the distal fingertips).
  • * Individuals with significant/severe brain trauma
  • * Serious psychiatric conditions
  • * Chronic or severe neurological conditions.
  • * Current pregnancy
  • * History of seizures or unexplained loss of consciousness
  • * Metallic implants above the chest
  • * Certain implanted medical devices.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Missouri-Columbia,

Scott H Frey, Ph.D., Ed.M., PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Missouri-Columbia

Study Record Dates

2025-06-01