Restoring hand and arm functions for people with cervical spinal cord injuries
Official title: Restoration of Grasp and Reach in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-10909325 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping people with cervical spinal cord injuries get better use of their hands and arms by testing a new device that can improve hand function, and we're looking for participants to help us train and test it to make sure it's safe and works well.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,970,521 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3NS103863-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10909325 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have sustained cervical spinal cord injuries and are seeking options to restore hand function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with spinal cord injuries at levels other than cervical may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on helping individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries regain their ability to use their hands and arms. It involves the development and testing of a third-generation neuroprosthetic device, which aims to significantly improve hand function. The project will prepare for a future clinical trial by establishing training programs and evaluating the effectiveness of the device in clinical settings. Participants will be involved in training and testing the neuroprosthesis to ensure it meets safety and effectiveness standards.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved hand and arm functionality for individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries, enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using neuroprosthetic devices for restoring function in spinal cord injury patients, indicating a potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kilgore, Kevin L. — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Kilgore, Kevin L.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Predicting and Preventing Chronic Aspiration After Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
This project looks at swallowing problems and chronic aspiration in adults with traumatic neck spine injuries to find patterns that could prevent serious lung complications.
-
Spinal Direct Current Stimulation to Improve Breathing After Cervical Cord Injury
A non-invasive therapy using gentle electrical stimulation to help people with spinal cord injuries breathe better.
-
Combining breathing therapies to help restore breathing after neck-level spinal cord injury
This project will see whether brief bursts of low oxygen combined with breathing exercises or exercise can help people with chronic neck spinal cord injuries breathe better.
-
Transplanting Lab-Grown Human Neurons to Help cervical spinal cord injuries
Researchers are testing whether transplanting lab-made human neurons into the neck portion of the spinal cord can improve arm and hand function after injury.
-
Neural repair for chronic incomplete cervical spinal cord injury with NgR blockade plus rehab
Aiming to help adults with long-standing incomplete cervical spinal cord injury improve movement and function by blocking a specific nerve signal pathway and adding targeted rehabilitation.
-
Using a mobile robot to help people with severe spinal cord injuries live more independently
This study is working on a friendly robot that can help people with tetraplegia do everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating, making life a little easier and more independent while also supporting their emotional needs.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.