Nerve Transfer Surgery to Restore Upper-limb Function After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury (NCT05638191) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Nerve Transfer Surgery to Restore Upper-limb Function After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Canada40 participantsStarted 2021-06-03
Plain-language summary
The goal of this prospective, open-label cohort study is to assess functional outcomes in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury who have undergone nerve transfer surgery to restore upper limb function. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does nerve transfer improve hand function in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury?
* What factors are associated with functional improvement following nerve transfer? Researchers will compare functional outcomes at 24 months post-surgery to 1) baseline outcomes and 2) individuals with cervical spinal cord injury who did not undergo nerve transfer.
Participants who have received nerve transfer surgery as part of their regular medical care will complete functional hand tests, electrodiagnostic assessments, and questionnaires on independence and mood every 3 months for 24 months after surgery.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 70 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Traumatic, motor-complete cervical SCI (AIS A or B)
* Male or female, ages 18-70
* Consent and plan to undergo nerve transfer to restore grasp function in at least one limb
* Motor grade 4-5 at C5
* Motor grade 0-1 at C8/T1
* Injury duration within 6 months at the time of surgery
* English-speaking and cognitively intact
* Able to provide informed written consent
* Able to attend and comply with the testing protocols
Exclusion Criteria:
* Inability or unwillingness to participate in post-operative rehabilitation (in person or virtual)
* Secondary complication of SCI (e.g., intractable neuropathic pain, edema, contracture) or major medical comorbidity (e.g., traumatic brain injury) that would independently influence response to surgery or ability to participate in rehabilitation
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
GRASSP (within-participant)
Timeframe: Baseline then every 3 months for 2 years