Mobile Manual Standing Wheelchair for SCI

Description

People with spinal cord injuries (SCI) are particularly prone to complications from excessive sitting, because many are not able to stand without support. Excessive sitting after SCI is believed to contribute to pressure injuries, pain, osteoporosis, joint stiffness, spasticity, and worsening bowel and bladder function. The VA has developed, patented, and licensed a mobile manual standing wheelchair (MMSW), and the investigators believe the key feature of being able to wheel around while in a standing position will dramatically change how paralyzed Veterans function in their home and community. If this expanded utility is realized, persons with SCI may naturally spend more time standing and less time sitting. To test these ideas, Veterans with SCI will be randomized to using one of two manual standing wheelchairs at home and in the community for two months.

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

People with spinal cord injuries (SCI) are particularly prone to complications from excessive sitting, because many are not able to stand without support. Excessive sitting after SCI is believed to contribute to pressure injuries, pain, osteoporosis, joint stiffness, spasticity, and worsening bowel and bladder function. The VA has developed, patented, and licensed a mobile manual standing wheelchair (MMSW), and the investigators believe the key feature of being able to wheel around while in a standing position will dramatically change how paralyzed Veterans function in their home and community. If this expanded utility is realized, persons with SCI may naturally spend more time standing and less time sitting. To test these ideas, Veterans with SCI will be randomized to using one of two manual standing wheelchairs at home and in the community for two months.

Impact of Mobile Manual Standing Wheelchair on Standing Dosage and Utility

Mobile Manual Standing Wheelchair for SCI

Condition
Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Palo Alto

VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, Palo Alto, California, United States, 94304-1207

Minneapolis

Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55417-2309

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

  • * United States Veteran
  • * SCI or stable disorder/dysfunction of the spinal cord
  • * Tolerates manual wheelchair use on a regular basis
  • * Sufficient hand \& arm function to operate manual standing wheelchair
  • * Unable to stand independently without support
  • * Greater than 6 months post-injury (SCI), or 6 months post diagnosis (disorder/dysfunction)
  • * Weight less than 125 kg (275 lbs)
  • * Age 18 or older
  • * Decisional competency to provide consent and cognitive ability to participate fully in study procedures
  • * Body size appropriate to fit the devices
  • * Not involved in another study related to mobility
  • * Identify an appropriate location for use of the study wheelchair
  • * Contraindication for standing including lower limb contractures, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled spasticity, etc.
  • * Unhealed lower-limb fractures
  • * Unstable lower-limb joints
  • * An active grade 2 or greater pressure injury that can be worsened by standing in the device
  • * Flap procedure to address pressure injury less than one year earlier
  • * Not able to propel a manual wheelchair or operate the sit-to-stand mechanism (e.g. weakness, or discomfort)
  • * Low bone mineral density (BMD), defined by total hip DXA more than 3.5 SD below peak and/or distal femur/proximal tibia BMD below 0.6 g/cm2. (Low BMD at any site will be ineligible).
  • * Unable to obtain clinically acceptable seating system for study wheelchairs
  • * Unable to build up standing tolerance within the first eight visits
  • * Individual deemed not appropriate for participation in the study as determined by study team

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

VA Office of Research and Development,

Andrew H Hansen, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN

B. Jenny Kiratli, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA

Study Record Dates

2025-08-31