Spinal Cord Stimulation for Respiratory Rehabilitation in Patients With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Part of paid clinical trials in Louisville, Kentucky.

Sponsor
University of Louisville
Study ID
NCT06019949
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Respiration Disorders
  • Spinal Cord Injuries

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulator — DEVICE
    Stimulation to the spinal cord will be administered using Neostim/Biostim (Cosyma Inc., Denver CO) device by applying up to five conductive electrodes placed on the skin at the midline over the thoracic levels as cathodes between T1 to T8, and up to four self-adhesive electrodes located symmetrically on the skin over the iliac crests and shoulders as anodes.
  • Respiratory Training — DEVICE
    Standard threshold Positive Expiratory Pressure Device (PEP, Respironics Inc., Cedar Grove, NJ) and standard threshold Inspiratory Muscle Trainer (IMT, Respironics Inc., Cedar Grove, NJ) assembled together using a T-shaped connector with a flanged mouthpiece (Airlife 001504) will be used for the respiratory training intervention.

Study Details

Respiratory complications are among the leading causes of death in patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Our previous work showed that pulmonary function can be improved by using our original respiratory training method. However, the effectiveness of this intervention is limited due to the disruption of brain-spinal connections and consequently lowered spinal cord activity below the injury level. Our recent studies showed that electrical stimulation of the spinal cord below the level of injury leads to increased ventilation which indicates activation of the spinal cord structures related to respiration. These findings indicate that spinal cord stimulation can be a promising therapeutic additive to the treatment. The goal of this study is to justify the establishment of a new direction in rehabilitation for patients with SCI by using a non-invasive spinal cord stimulation in combination with respiratory training. Our aims are: 1) to evaluate the effects of such stimulation applied to the injured spinal cord on pulmonary function and respiratory muscle activity, and 2) to evaluate the effectiveness and therapeutic mechanisms of the spinal cord stimulation combined with respiratory training. Thirty-six individuals with chronic SCI will be recruited and assigned to three groups to receive respiratory training or spinal cord stimulation alone or a combination of them. All participants will be tested before and after cycles of experimental procedures with/or without stimulation. Our hypotheses will be confirmed if the respiratory training combined with spinal cord stimulation results in the most enhanced positive effects.

Key Dates

Start date
Sep 10, 2023
Status verified
Mar 2026
Primary completion
Mar 31, 2028
Completion
Apr 10, 2030

Study Design

Enrollment
36 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Active Comparator: Training (RT) group
    80 scTS sessions will be administered using the Neostim/Biostim (Cosyma Inc., Denver CO) device applying up to five conductive electrodes placed on the skin at the midline over the thoracic levels as cathodes between T1 to T8, and up to four self-adhesive electrodes located symmetrically on the skin over the iliac crests and shoulders as anodes. During the intervention, optimally configured scTS will be delivered based on the measures assessed during mapping sessions. The scTS with 5 mA-sub-motor threshold intensity with optimal frequency and pulse width will be delivered using 5 min on and 5 min off stimulation periods during interventional bouts. Every research participant will be slowly acclimated to stimulation. Blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate will be closely monitored throughout stimulation sessions in the Lab by using beat-to-beat blood pressure, and respiratory kinematics monitoring.
  • Active Comparator: Spinal Cord Transcutaneous Stimulation (scTS) group
    Participants will undergo 80 RT sessions using standard threshold Positive Expiratory Pressure Device (PEP, Respironics Inc., Cedar Grove, NJ) and standard threshold Inspiratory Muscle Trainer (IMT, Respironics Inc., Cedar Grove, NJ) assembled together using a T-shaped connector with a flanged mouthpiece (Airlife 001504). Participants will be trained at the Frazier Rehab Institute and remotely to complete eighty 45-minute sessions during 16 weeks. The participants will be instructed to perform inspiratory and expiratory efforts against a pressure threshold load. The training will be initiated with a load equal to 20% of their individual Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (PImax) and Maximum Expiratory Pressure (PEmax) values with progressive increases as tolerated up to 60% of their baseline PImax and PEmax measures. The goal will be to reach the 60% load of PImax and PEmax during the last week of each month of the training.
  • Experimental: Spinal Cord Transcutaneous Stimulation and Respiratory Training (scTS+RT) group
    Participants will undergo 80 scTS combined with the RT while seated in their own wheelchairs with an approximately 45° head-up tilt. The scTS will be administered using the Neostim/Biostim (Cosyma Inc., Denver CO) and Standard threshold Positive Expiratory Pressure Device (PEP, Respironics Inc., Cedar Grove, NJ) and standard threshold Inspiratory Muscle Trainer (IMT, Respironics Inc., Cedar Grove, NJ) assembled together using a T-shaped connector with a flanged mouthpiece (Airlife 001504) will be used for the RT as described for the Arms 1 and 2.

Primary Outcome Measure

Maximum Expiratory Pressure (PEmax). [ Time Frame: Within 2 weeks during screening period; within 4 weeks before an intervention period; within 2 weeks after intervention #40; within 2 weeks after intervention #80; within 2 weeks after 16-weeks and 32-weeks follow-up periods. ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Frazier Rehabilitation and Neuroscience InstituteLouisvilleKentucky40202
Andrea Willhite, MS
[email protected]
502-582-8675
Alexander V Ovechkin, MD, PhD (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)

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By research site
Frazier Rehabilitation and Neuroscience Institute· Louisville, KY

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