RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Nerve Transfer Surgery to Restore Upper-limb Function After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

This research study is investigating a special type of operation called nerve transfer surgery for people who have experienced a spinal cord injury in their neck. This injury often causes weakness or paralysis in the arms and hands. The main goal is to find out if this surgery can help improve hand function and movement in the affected arm. Researchers will follow individuals who have had nerve transfer surgery as part of their regular medical care. They will compare their hand function before and after the operation, and also look at how their results compare to people with similar injuries who didn't have the surgery. They'll also try to understand what specific things might lead to a more successful outcome after the surgery. This information could help more people recover arm and hand use.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of British Columbia

Enrolment target

Start

03 Jun 2021

Estimated completion

01 Jan 2028

Spinal Cord Injury Spinal Cord Injury at C5-C7 Level SCI - Spinal Cord Injury Upper Extremity Paralysis Upper Extremity Dysfunction Tetraplegia Upper Extremity Paresis Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

What is this study about?

This study is particularly interested in people who have had a spinal cord injury in the neck area (called the cervical spine). This type of injury can make it very difficult or impossible to move your arms and hands, which can be life-changing. Nerve transfer surgery is a procedure where healthy nerves are rerouted to take over the job of damaged nerves, aiming to bring back some movement and feeling.

The researchers want to carefully track how well this surgery works. They'll be looking to see if patients who undergo nerve transfer surgery experience real improvements in their hand function, such as their ability to grasp and hold things. They also want to identify what might make the surgery more or less successful for different people. This study is important because understanding who benefits most and why can help doctors offer the best care and advice to future patients.

To do this, they will follow a group of people who have had nerve transfer surgery and compare their progress over time. They will also compare these results to people with similar spinal cord injuries who did not have the surgery. The aim is to build a clearer picture of the benefits of nerve transfer surgery for regaining arm and hand function after a spinal cord injury.

Key takeaways

This study evaluates nerve transfer surgery for regaining arm and hand movement after a neck spinal cord injury.
It aims to understand if the surgery improves hand function and what makes it more successful.
Participants will have regular check-ups and tests for two years after their surgery.
Your involvement will not change your regular medical treatment.
The findings could help improve future treatments for people with spinal cord injuries.

Who may be eligible?

To be able to join this study, participants generally need to be between 18 and 70 years old. They must have a specific type of spinal cord injury in their neck that has caused complete weakness in their arms and hands, and they must be planning to have nerve transfer surgery to help regain hand movement. It's also important that the injury happened recently, within six months before the planned surgery.

Participants also need to be able to understand and speak English, be mentally sharp enough to give informed consent, and be willing to attend all the necessary appointments and tests.

People would likely not be able to join if they cannot or won't participate in the follow-up physical therapy, or if they have other serious health problems or complications from their spinal cord injury (like severe pain or another serious brain injury) that might affect how well the surgery works or their ability to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 70 years old?
Do you have a spinal cord injury in your neck that caused arm/hand weakness?
Is your injury less than 6 months old?
Are you planning to have nerve transfer surgery to restore hand function?
Are you able to attend appointments at a study location (Vancouver, Toronto, Kingston, or Halifax)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, your involvement won't change your regular medical care. The study will mainly involve a series of check-ups and assessments, starting before your nerve transfer surgery (about 5-6 months after your injury) and continuing every three months for two years (24 months) after your surgery. These assessments will include tests to measure your hand function and nerve activity (electrodiagnostic tests), as well as questionnaires about your independence and mood. You will need to attend these appointments at one of the study locations in Vancouver, Toronto, Kingston, or Halifax. The total duration of your participation in the study will be two years after your surgery.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer the benefit of contributing to our understanding of nerve transfer surgery, potentially helping future patients with spinal cord injuries. You will also have your progress closely monitored by specialists. As with any medical procedure, nerve transfer surgery carries its own risks, which your medical team will discuss with you fully. The study itself mainly involves assessments and observations. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting the medical care you receive.

Locations (4)

GF Strong Rehabilitation Hospital
Verified postcode
Vancouver, Canada· Recruiting
QEII Health Sciences Centre
Verified postcode
Halifax, Canada· Recruiting
Kingston Health Sciences Centre
Verified postcode
Kingston, Canada· Recruiting
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is nerve transfer surgery?

Nerve transfer surgery is an operation where a healthy nerve is re-routed to a muscle or nerve that has lost its connection due to injury, aiming to restore movement or feeling.

Will my regular medical care change if I join this study?

No, joining this study will not affect the medical care or treatment you receive for your spinal cord injury or the nerve transfer surgery itself.

How long will I be involved in the study?

If you participate, you will be involved for about two years (24 months) after your nerve transfer surgery, with regular check-ups during that time.

What kind of tests will I have?

You will have tests to check your hand function, nerve activity, and answer questions about how you are managing daily life and your mood.

Why is this study important?

This study aims to find out if nerve transfer surgery truly improves hand function after a spinal cord injury and what factors lead to the best results, which can help guide future treatment for others.

How to find out more

Michael Berger, MD, PhD

michael.berger@vch.ca 778-990-7615 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.