Locomotor and Bladder Function in Individuals With Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Description

The loss of movement and walking ability significantly affects quality of life after spinal cord injury. In addition, bladder dysfunction consistently ranks as one of the top disorders affecting quality of life after spinal cord injury. The overall objective of this study is to demonstrate that epidural stimulation may be a method for improving stepping, standing and bladder function in individuals with spinal cord injury. With the use of epidural stimulation, the investigators propose to investigate how well the participant can stand and walk and how well the participant's bladder can store or hold urine as well as void or empty urine. The results of this study may aid in the development of treatments to help individuals with spinal cord injuries that are unable to stand or walk and have impaired bladder function.

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The loss of movement and walking ability significantly affects quality of life after spinal cord injury. In addition, bladder dysfunction consistently ranks as one of the top disorders affecting quality of life after spinal cord injury. The overall objective of this study is to demonstrate that epidural stimulation may be a method for improving stepping, standing and bladder function in individuals with spinal cord injury. With the use of epidural stimulation, the investigators propose to investigate how well the participant can stand and walk and how well the participant's bladder can store or hold urine as well as void or empty urine. The results of this study may aid in the development of treatments to help individuals with spinal cord injuries that are unable to stand or walk and have impaired bladder function.

Inter-System Closed-Loop Control of Locomotor and Bladder Function in Individuals With Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Locomotor and Bladder Function in Individuals With Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Condition
Spinal Cord Injuries
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Louisville

Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center - University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States, 40202

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

  • 1. At least 18 years of age
  • 2. non-progressive SCI
  • 3. stable medical condition
  • 4. Inability to stand and step independently
  • 5. unable to voluntarily move all individual joints of the legs
  • 6. no current anti-spasticity medication regimen
  • 7. must not have received botox injections in the prior six months
  • 8. Bladder dysfunction as a result of SCI
  • 9. SCI between T1 and T10
  • 10. no greater than 1 year post injury
  • 1. ventilator dependent
  • 2. untreated painful musculoskeletal dysfunction, fracture or pressure sore
  • 3. untreated psychiatric disorder or ongoing drug abuse
  • 4. cardiovascular, respiratory, bladder, or renal disease unrelated to SCI
  • 5. pregnant at the time of enrollment or planning to become pregnant during the time course of the study.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Susan Harkema PhD,

Study Record Dates

2026-04-01