Acute and Chronic Spinal Plasticity Triggered by a Tailored Epidural Stimulation Program After Chronic SCI
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with substantial personal and societal costs. Secondary complications, which often extend beyond the original injury, are linked to reduced quality of life and increased rates of mortality. Chronic spinal cord injury leads to a sedentary lifestyle which can cause secondary problems such as cardiovascular and respiratory deficiencies as well as problems with bladder, bowel and sexual function leading to an increase in healthcare cost throughout the lifetime of those affected. The loss of motricity and decreased participation in daily activities further enhances existing deficits, but a new rehabilitation approach using epidural stimulation and activity-based therapies has recently shown promise for people with SCI. While it is encouraging that epidural stimulation protocols are moving from the laboratory to preliminary trials in a clinical setting, many questions remain to be answered to enable the optimization of stimulation protocols and allow this intervention to be widely used in SCI patients with complex and varied disabilities. This study will focus on understanding immediate and long-term benefits of an individually optimized epidural stimulation program on walking and standing ability as well as on spasticity (Aims 1 and 2). It will further investigate its potential when implemented late after the injury and if improved function persists after the treatment has ended (Aim 3). This research will help develop strategies and interventions to maximize motor recovery after SCI that will contribute to improving health and quality of life of spinal cord-injured military Service members, Veterans, and civilians alike, but also to their family members and caregivers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2010519
Entities
People
- Marie-pascale Cote
Organizations
- Drexel University
- United States Army