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Diaphragm Pacing in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injuries

The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
 
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04179799
Recruitment Status : Active, not recruiting
First Posted : November 27, 2019
Last Update Posted : October 27, 2022
Sponsor:
Collaborator:
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
University of Florida

Brief Summary:
This project will evaluate the effects of intramuscular diaphragm stimulation (pacing) and test the hypothesis that diaphragm pacing enhances neuromuscular diaphragm activation and respiratory function in adults with cervical spinal cord injuries (C-SCIs). The investigators will test the hypothesis by recording activity of the diaphragm from intramuscular pacing electrodes and conduct respiratory assessments in adults with intramuscular diaphragm pacing electrodes following acute, traumatic C-SCIs.

Condition or disease Intervention/treatment
Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Device: Diaphragm Pacing

Detailed Description:
Respiratory dysfunction is a leading cause of death in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Nearly one-quarter of all SCI cases involve injury to the upper spinal cord segments which impairs neural activation of the diaphragm muscle and compromises breathing. Although mechanical ventilation can be life-saving after cervical SCI (C-SCI), it also triggers rapid and profound diaphragm muscle atrophy, thereby complicating (or even preventing) ventilator weaning. Intramuscular diaphragm stimulation, or diaphragm pacing, was developed to replace long-term ventilator support and is now used acutely post C-SCI (<4 months following injury) to promote ventilator weaning. This study will assess the effects of diaphragm stimulation on respiratory neural drive and breathing function in individuals with acute, traumatic C-SCI. Recording from these surgically implanted electrodes allows comparisons of electromyogram (EMG) recordings, in association with respiratory assessments, before and after short periods of diaphragm pacing to isolate the unique contribution of diaphragm pacing on neuromuscular diaphragm activation.

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Study Type : Observational
Actual Enrollment : 6 participants
Observational Model: Case-Only
Time Perspective: Prospective
Official Title: Diaphragm Stimulation After Human Spinal Cord Injury: Effects on Respiratory Neural Drive and Function
Actual Study Start Date : January 10, 2020
Actual Primary Completion Date : October 21, 2022
Estimated Study Completion Date : October 18, 2025

Resource links provided by the National Library of Medicine


Group/Cohort Intervention/treatment
Cervical SCI
Participants with acute, traumatic cervical spinal cord injuries (C-SCIs), classified according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) as A-C (complete SCI (A); motor complete SCI (B); motor incomplete with minimal motor function (C)), affecting C1-C6 spinal cord segments, and who have been scheduled to undergo implantation of a diaphragm pacer, or who have recently received (in past 5-days) implantation of intramuscular diaphragm pacing electrodes due to severe respiratory impairments and dependence on mechanical ventilation.
Device: Diaphragm Pacing
Intramuscular stimulation of the diaphragm, or diaphragm "pacing' is achieved by laparoscopic placement of stimulation wires into each hemidiaphragm. Phrenic motor points on the diaphragm are mapped to optimize electrode placement. The electrodes are threaded into the diaphragm muscle and wire leads are externalized and attached to a stimulation controller.




Primary Outcome Measures :
  1. Change in Electromyogram (EMG) [ Time Frame: Baseline up to 24 hours ]
    Neuromuscular activation of the diaphragm will be assessed by recording diaphragm EMGs from the surgically-implanted intramuscular stimulating electrodes. This approach will allow for comparisons of EMG recordings across time. EMGs will be recorded during non-stimulated respiration (diaphragm pacer turned off) and simultaneously with assessments of respiratory function.

  2. Change in Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) [ Time Frame: Baseline up to 24 hours ]
    The Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) is measured by a device that applies an inspiratory load which provides a resistance. The MIP will be measured in cmH20 and assesses diaphragm strength. MIP will be recorded will be recorded during non-stimulated respiration (diaphragm pacer turned off).

  3. Change in Tidal Volume [ Time Frame: Baseline up to 24 hours ]
    The measurement of Tidal Volume is performed through a simple spirometry and is measured in liters. Tidal Volume will be recorded during non-stimulated respiration (diaphragm pacer turned off).



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Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years to 75 Years   (Adult, Older Adult)
Sexes Eligible for Study:   All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Sampling Method:   Non-Probability Sample
Study Population
Patients with acute, traumatic C-SCIs, scheduled to receive intramuscular diaphragm pacing OR who have recently received a diaphragm pacer (within past 5-days) will be recruited from UF Health Shands Jacksonville, a Level-1 trauma hospital serving North Florida.
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Acute, traumatic cervical spinal cord injuries (C-SCIs), classified according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) as A-C
  • Scheduled to undergo implantation of a diaphragm pacer, or who have recently received (in past 5-days) implantation of intramuscular diaphragm pacing electrodes due to severe respiratory impairments and dependence on mechanical ventilation

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Progressive neuromuscular diseases such as multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis
  • History of neurologic injuries such as stroke or prior SCI
  • Chest wall injuries or deformities likely to influence breathing
  • Pregnancy
  • Cognitive impairments limiting study participation

Information from the National Library of Medicine

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT04179799


Locations
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United States, Florida
UF Health - Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida, United States, 32008
Sponsors and Collaborators
University of Florida
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Investigators
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Principal Investigator: Emily Fox, PT, PhD University of Florida
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Responsible Party: University of Florida
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04179799    
Other Study ID Numbers: IRB201902285
1OT2OD023854 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract )
First Posted: November 27, 2019    Key Record Dates
Last Update Posted: October 27, 2022
Last Verified: October 2022
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:
Plan to Share IPD: No

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Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: No
Keywords provided by University of Florida:
SCI
diaphragm pacing
respiratory impairment
diaphragm stimulation
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
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Spinal Cord Injuries
Wounds and Injuries
Spinal Cord Diseases
Central Nervous System Diseases
Nervous System Diseases
Trauma, Nervous System