Comparing robot-assisted and conventional therapy for upper limb function in cervical spinal cord injury

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of robot-assisted therapy using the ArmeoSpring compared to conventional occupational therapy for improving upper limb function in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI). Participants will undergo both therapy forms in a randomized order, with each therapy lasting six weeks. The study includes baseline and intermediate assessments to measure improvements in arm and hand function. The goal is to determine which therapy is more effective in enhancing daily living activities and overall quality of life for patients with cSCI.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Informed Consent signed by the subject
* Intermediate (\>16 days and ≤81 days post-injury) traumatic or non-traumatic cSCI during primary rehabilitation at the Swiss Paraplegic Centre (SPC)
* Neurological level of injury: C1-T1
* American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS): A-D
* Impairment of upper limb function (GRASSP-QtG score unilateral \< 25 at baseline t0)
* Ability to sit for 60 minutes and perform training with ArmeoSpring
* Stratification parameters available

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to follow the procedures of the investigation
* Severe concomitant neurological disease
* Concomitant neurodegenerative or progressive diseases
* Impairment of upper limb function due to peripheral nerve lesions
* Severe concurrent medical disease or any other issue that in the opinion of the investigator would confound the results
* Orthopedic limitations of the upper limb
* Device specific contraindications
* Participation in other interventional trials

Where it's running

• Swiss Paraplegic Centre
  Nottwil, Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Mario Widmer, Dr. sc. ETH
• Email: mario.widmer@paraplegie.ch
• Phone: 0041 41 939 51 97

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.