This is a trial to test the effect of upper limb rehabilitation with a robotic device (InMotion Hand and InMotion Arm robots) after nerve transfer surgery in individuals with a cervical spinal cord injury. Nerve transfer surgery is the connection of a functionally intact nerve to a target nerve attached to a muscle that has significant weakness or paralysis. The main study goal is to test at what time point the robotic rehabilitation has the greatest effect on upper limb function (experimental group: robotic training 1 year after nerve transfer surgery; control group: 1 year after nerve transfer surgery + an additional 6 weeks before robotic training is begun). If included, the participant will receive nerve transfer surgery and undergo 18 sessions of upper limb robotic training, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks at one of 2 different time points after nerve transfer surgery. Clinical neurological, functional or cortical stimulation tests will be conducted before surgery, after surgery and after robotic training. The cortical stimulation is a non-invasive technique which uses transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the outer surface of the head to activate the central nervous system (CNS) and is applied to test whether there have been changes in neuronal connections within the CNS.
Ischemia
Traumatic
Non-traumatic
Type
Details
Nerve transfer surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA will be completed in all participants If assigned to the experimental group, you will receive 18 sessions of upper limb robotic upper limb training (3 times per week, for 6 weeks) with a start time of 1 year after nerve transfer surgery. If assigned to the control group, you will receive upper limb robotic training, but not start until 1 year + 6 weeks after nerve transfer surgery. Clinical neurological assessments, functional examinations and TMS will be performed before nerve transfer surgery, just after surgery, and after robotic upper limb training using one of the 2 different delays after nerve transfer surgery.
Main benefits
Arm/hand function
Additional benefits
General health
Spasticity
Standing/walking/mobility
Mechanism of action
Good to know: Potential benefits are defined as outcomes that are being measured during and/or after the trial.
Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.
Learn moreWings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.
Learn more