NCT04105296

Brief Summary

The purpose of the current study is to determine the effects of applying epidural stimulation (ES) on motor control recovery in Veterans with SCI. The intervention will be accompanied with the use of a powered exoskeleton (EKSO®) for 6 months to facilitate standing and to produce step-like movement in persons with chronic motor complete (AIS A or B) SCI and level of injury below C5 . Walking speed, distance, muscle activation pattern as measured by surface EMG and walking parameters including stand-up time, walking time, distance will be considered primary outcome variables. Cardiovascular performance, as measured by resting blood pressure and heart rate, peak oxygen consumption during walking, energy expenditure, whole and regional body composition assessments will also be measured. The effects of training (ES+EKSO) on , and speed of walking will also be evaluated.

Trial Health

43
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
5

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for phase_1

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2020

Typical duration for phase_1

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
unknown

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

September 23, 2019

Completed
3 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

September 26, 2019

Completed
3 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 1, 2020

Completed
2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 30, 2021

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 30, 2021

Completed
Last Updated

October 3, 2019

Status Verified

October 1, 2019

Enrollment Period

2 years

First QC Date

September 23, 2019

Last Update Submit

October 2, 2019

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Six minute-walk and 10-meter walk distance Tests

    Walking distance and speed will also be determined

    6 months

  • Surface electromyography of 6 different muscle groups

    The EMG activity from 6 major leg muscles will be measured during locomotion

    6 months

Secondary Outcomes (3)

  • Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure

    6 months

  • Oxygen uptake using Portable Indirect Calorimetry

    6 months

  • Body composition assessment of fat mass and fat-free mass using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

    6 months

Study Arms (1)

EKSO+ES

EXPERIMENTAL

6 months of exoskeleton training with spinal cord epidural stimulation.

Device: EKSO+ES

Interventions

EKSO+ESDEVICE

6 months of exoskeleton training with epidural stimulation.

EKSO+ES

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 70 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • A written clearance by the medical doctor to ensure that the participant is safely able to engage in the program.
  • Participants who require assistance with activities of daily living, must have a caregiver or companion with them throughout their participation in the study.
  • Participants will have to be 2 years post-injury with any level of injury below C5 and using wheelchair as the primary mode of mobility. The study is primarily exploratory, and all participants will be between 18-70 years old with SCI.
  • Hip width (distance between two greater trochanters), upper leg length (greater trochanter to the lateral aspect of joint line of the knee joint) and lower leg length (lateral aspect of joint line of the knee joint to the bottom of the foot) that can fit the robotic suit.

You may not qualify if:

  • Unhealed fracture in either lower or upper extremities
  • Severe scoliosis, hip knee ROM or flexion knee contractures preventing positioning in an exoskeleton or plantarflexion deformity greater than 20 degrees.
  • High resting blood pressure greater than 140/80 mmHg and or sudden hypotension upon standing as characterized by drop in blood pressure by 20 mmHg especially in persons with tetraplegia.
  • Other medical conditions including cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled type II DM, uncontrolled hypertension, and those on insulin, pressures sores stage 3 or greater, or symptomatic urinary tract infection.
  • Unable to fit in the device for any reason.
  • Taking anti-coagulants or anti-platelet agents, including aspirin if unable to be off this medication for medical reasons.
  • Implanted pacemakers and/or implanted defibrillator devices.
  • Any condition that, in the judgment of the principal investigator or medical provider, precludes safe participation in the study and/or increases the risk of infection.
  • Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) T-Score less than -2.5. Scans done will include total body, dual hips and knees.
  • Functional upper and lower extremity range of motion (ROM), strength, spasticity and skin integrity will also have assessed prior to enrollment in the program. The Modified Ashworth Scale will be used to ensure safety of the participants prior to engagement in the rehabilitation program. Participants with severe spasticity or limited ROM will be excluded in the trial. This will be done based on the manufacture's recommendation.
  • subjects with uncontrolled autonomic dysreflexia
  • subjects with concurrent severe neurological injuries other than SCI: MS, CP, TBI, stroke;
  • subjects with unresolved deep vein thrombosis (DVT);
  • subjects with prosthetic lower limbs;
  • subjects with psychiatric or cognitive impairments which will interfere with proper operation of both the spinal cord stimulator as well as the exoskeleton;
  • +2 more criteria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center

Richmond, Virginia, 23249, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Spinal Cord DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesTrauma, Nervous SystemWounds and Injuries

Study Officials

  • Ashraf S Gorgey, PhD

    Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Ashraf S Gorgey, PhD

CONTACT

Robert Trainer, MD

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 1
Allocation
NA
Masking
NONE
Purpose
DEVICE FEASIBILITY
Intervention Model
SINGLE GROUP
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

September 23, 2019

First Posted

September 26, 2019

Study Start

January 1, 2020

Primary Completion

December 30, 2021

Study Completion

December 30, 2021

Last Updated

October 3, 2019

Record last verified: 2019-10

Locations