Brain Training for Spinal Cord Injury

(SCI-IQ Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+2 other locations

Overseen by Erica Weber, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Kessler Foundation

Disqualifiers: Neurological, psychiatric, substance use, others

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study seeks conduct a pilot study to test whether a cognitive training program can improve processing speed abilities in individuals with acute traumatic spinal cord injury.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment involving game-like computerized activities for spinal cord injury?

Research shows that using virtual reality and game-based exercises can improve cognitive and motor functions in people with spinal cord injuries. Patients who participated in these activities reported better mood, quality of life, and physical perception compared to those who received traditional therapy. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is brain training for spinal cord injury safe for humans?

Research on computerized cognitive training programs, like RehaCom, has shown that they are generally safe, with some patients experiencing mild side effects such as mental fatigue, headache, and eye irritation. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

How does the brain training treatment for spinal cord injury differ from other treatments?

This brain training treatment uses game-like computerized activities to improve cognitive and motor functions in spinal cord injury patients, which is different from traditional therapies that may not incorporate interactive or virtual reality elements. It combines cognitive exercises with movement, providing increased feedback and engagement, potentially leading to better recovery outcomes. ^{1 3 4 9 10}

Research Team

Erica Weber, PhD

Principal Investigator

Kessler Foundation

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals aged 18-59 who have recently experienced a traumatic spinal cord injury, approximately within the last 6 months. It's designed to help those facing cognitive impairments due to their injury.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 59 years old.

My spinal cord injury happened about 6 months ago.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in pre-specified computer tasks using an Internet-based cognitive training portal, 3 times per week for 60 minutes each session

12 weeks

36 sessions (virtual)

Immediate Post-Treatment Assessment

Assessment of cognitive processing speed using SDMT, UFOV, and LPC tasks

1 week

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for long-term effects on cognitive processing speed and quality of life

12 weeks

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• game-like computerized activities (Behavioral Intervention)
• Placebo (Placebo)

Trial Overview The study is testing if game-like computerized activities can speed up how fast patients with acute spinal cord injuries process information. Some participants will use these activities while others will receive a placebo as a comparison.

Participant Groups

Group I: Experimental Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

pre-specified computer tasks using an Internet-based cognitive training portal, to be completed 3x per week for 60 minutes each session for 12 weeks total

Group II: Placebo Control Placebo Group 1 Intervention

pre-specified computer tasks using an Internet-based cognitive training portal, to be completed 3x per week for 60 minutes each session for 12 weeks total

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations Nearby Select from list below to view details:

Craig Hospital Englewood, CO

Kessler Foundation East Hanover, NJ

University of Washington Seattle, WA

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Kessler Foundation

Lead Sponsor

Trials

190

Patients Recruited

11,300+

University of Washington

Collaborator

Trials

1858

Patients Recruited

2,023,000+

Craig Hospital

Collaborator

Trials

45

Patients Recruited

8,400+

Findings from Research

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury Benefit from Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality Cognitive Training? Preliminary Results from an Exploratory Study on an Underestimated Problem. Maggio, MG., Bonanno, M., Manuli, A., et al.[2023]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A novel use of virtual reality in the treatment of cognitive and motor deficit in spinal cord injury: A case report. Maresca, G., Maggio, MG., Buda, A., et al.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Game-based exercises for dynamic short-sitting balance rehabilitation of people with chronic spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. Betker, AL., Desai, A., Nett, C., et al.[2009]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tablet Technology for Rehabilitation after Spinal Cord Injury: a Proof-of-Concept. Fizzotti, G., Rognoni, C., Imarisio, A., et al.[2016]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Microcomputer and rehabilitation of cognitive cerebral performance disorders]. Schönle, PW., Wiebold, G., Wieding, J., et al.[2015]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical impact of RehaCom software for cognitive rehabilitation of patients with acquired brain injury. Fernández, E., Bringas, ML., Salazar, S., et al.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile game-based virtual reality rehabilitation program for upper limb dysfunction after ischemic stroke. Choi, YH., Ku, J., Lim, H., et al.[2019]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness and therapeutic compliance of digital therapy in shoulder rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial. Rizzato, A., Pizzichemi, M., Gobbi, E., et al.[2023]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relationship between structural brainstem and brain plasticity and lower-limb training in spinal cord injury: a longitudinal pilot study. Villiger, M., Grabher, P., Hepp-Reymond, MC., et al.[2022]

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relief of neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury by brain-computer interface training. Yoshida, N., Hashimoto, Y., Shikota, M., et al.[2022]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury Benefit from Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality Cognitive Training? Preliminary Results from an Exploratory Study on an Underestimated Problem. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A novel use of virtual reality in the treatment of cognitive and motor deficit in spinal cord injury: A case report. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Game-based exercises for dynamic short-sitting balance rehabilitation of people with chronic spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. [2009]

4. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tablet Technology for Rehabilitation after Spinal Cord Injury: a Proof-of-Concept. [2016]

5. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Microcomputer and rehabilitation of cognitive cerebral performance disorders]. [2015]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical impact of RehaCom software for cognitive rehabilitation of patients with acquired brain injury. [2022]

7. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile game-based virtual reality rehabilitation program for upper limb dysfunction after ischemic stroke. [2019]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness and therapeutic compliance of digital therapy in shoulder rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial. [2023]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relationship between structural brainstem and brain plasticity and lower-limb training in spinal cord injury: a longitudinal pilot study. [2022]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relief of neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury by brain-computer interface training. [2022]