Orthostatic Tolerance During FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation)-Walking in Paraplegia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Objective: The objective of this research is to undertake a safety and viability study of FES-evoked stepping in individuals with paraplegia. The rationale for this objective is based upon the need to clarify whether physiological limitations, especially orthostatic intolerance, limit functional mobility outcomes. The cardiovascular, autonomic, and muscle metabolic factors governing orthostatic tolerance during skin-surface FES stepping will be investigated, since this functional task forms the basis of upright mobility and engenders strong physiological challenges upon key regulatory processes in the SCI (spinal cord injury) patient. Specific Hypotheses: i. Reduction of blood pressure will be greater during FES-evoked stepping than during passive stepping; ii. Reduction of blood pressure will be greater during FES-evoked stepping with no upper body component versus FES-stepping with an upper body component; iii. Blood pressure will be reduced even further during FES-evoked stepping following a 6-week progressive-intensity gait training intervention.

Detailed Description
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Aims: The primary aim of the safety and viability study is to assess changes in blood pressure during up to 60-min of FES-evoked stepping versus up to 60-min of stepping. A secondary aim is to investigate changes in blood pressure during FES-assisted stepping with and without a voluntary upper-limb component of gait. Specific Hypotheses: i. Reduction of blood pressure will be greater during FES-evoked stepping than during passive stepping; ii. Reduction of blood pressure will be greater during FES-evoked stepping with no upper body component versus FES-stepping with an upper body component; iii. Blood pressure will be reduced even further during FES-evoked stepping following a 6-week progressive-intensity gait training intervention. Primary Outcome: The primary outcome measure for this study is the change of systolic blood pressure during three FES-evoked stepping conditions, as described below. Each condition is defined as up to 60-min of continuous gait. Secondary Outcomes: Secondary outcomes include a change of diastolic blood pressure and the duration of orthostatic tolerance. Orthostatic tolerance will be assessed as the time that the subject can perform stepping before the onset of orthostatic hypotension. The duration of orthostatic tolerance will be determined by the time at which one of the following occur: (i) 60 continuous minutes of stepping; or (ii) orthostatic hypotension, defined as a reduction in systolic blood pressure of > 20 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of >10 mmHg; or (iii) signs and symptoms of pre-syncope; or (iii) upon subject request. Throughout each trial, heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored continuously. In addition to the primary and secondary outcome variables, several additional measurements that may contribute to orthostatic tolerance, or indeed, intolerance, will be assessed at 10-min intervals during stepping.

Official Title
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Orthostatic Tolerance During FES-evoked Stepping in Paraplegia: A Safety and Viability Study

Conditions
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Spinal Cord Injury

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: FES-evoked functional upright gait


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Male A spinal cord lesion, of traumatic etiology, between the 6th and 11th thoracic spinal segments Sensory and motor complete lesion (ASIA [American Spinal Injury Association]-A) At least 2 years post injury Between 18-55 years of age Responsive to electrical stimulation Exclusion Criteria: Severe osteoporosis, fractures, dislocations (as determined by X-ray and DEXA) Upper limb or shoulder pathologies Severe spasticity (≥4 on Ashworth scale) Contractures Currently undertaking FES or gait training

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Procedure: FES-evoked functional upright gait|nan|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change of systolic blood pressure during three FES-evoked stepping conditions |  |  | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cardiovascular and Metabolic Responses |  |  | 
| Autonomic Responses |  |  | 
| Muscle Metabolic Responses |  |  | 
| Humoral Responses |  |  | 
| Syncope Symptom Score |  |  | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Functional Electrical Stimulation, Gait, Blood pressure, Orthostatic Hypotension, Cardiovascular responses, Near-infra red spectroscopy