After spinal cord injury (SCI), there is a disruption in neural circuits resulting in paralysis. There is not yet a cure for paralysis. In persons with Cervical SCI (pwC-SCI) recovery of arm-hand function is very important as it has a significant impact on the patients' level of independence and quality of life. Recovery is assumed to involve alterations in both central and peripheral motor systems. Motor training at an intensive dosage potentially provides a powerful stimulus for neurological recovery. This project exploits the peripheral and central neuroplastic effect of an early (\<13 weeks after injury) and intensive (8 weeks of 6 hours in addition to usual care) upper limb motor training program (EIUMT) directed at recovery below the level of the injury in pwC-SCI within an international multi-center randomized controlled trial including 44 pwC-SCI. It has 4 objectives: to investigate 1)central neural plasticity by identifying alterations in cortical neuroplasticity and corticospinal excitability; 2)peripheral neural plasticity by identifying alterations in axonal excitability and number of motor units; 3)behavioral motor recovery of upper limb and 4)relationships between dose dimensions of motor intervention and behavioral and neurophysiological outcome measures after EIUMT. Cutting-edge neurophysiological measures are used to provide insight in the mechanism of neuroplasticity after EIUMT and will be taken before and after EIUMT and at 6 months follow-up.
Age range
16 Years – 90 Years
Sex
ALL
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
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Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
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.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
changes in single pulse TMS: resting motor threshold
Timeframe: - before intervention; at 4 weeks (inbetween measure), at 8 weeks (after intervention) and at 6 months follow-up
Changes in Compound Muscle Action Potential (CMAP)
Timeframe: - before intervention; at 4 weeks (inbetween measure), at 8 weeks (after intervention) and at 6 months follow-up
changes in GRASSP
Timeframe: - before intervention; at 8 weeks (after intervention) and at 6 months follow-up