This study is an open label extension of the SCI EFS clinical trial (NCT04288245) that developed an innovative strategy to enhance recovery of motor and sensory function after neurological injury. The objectives of this study are to provide continued safety assessment for the investigational ReStore system, and to gain further estimate of the effect of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) with rehabilitative exercises in four different tracks - upper limb (UL), lower limb (LL), bladder control (BC), and sensory (SY) for participants with chronic SCI (Spinal Cord Injury).
A prospective, multi-center, non-randomized, open label extension of the SCI EFS trial (NCT04288245) participants implanted with the investigational ReStore Device for VNS Therapy. Following the completion of Phase 2 of the SCI EFS study, participants can enroll to one of the four tracks. Under each track, participants will undergo up to 36 sessions of rehabilitative exercises self-paced by participants with targeted completion of 3 sessions per week. Evaluations will be administered at the beginning and end of each track (additional progress checks may be conducted, as required by the staff) to monitor participant progress. Upon completion of a track, participants can choose to re-enroll in the same or a different track. Adverse events will be documented and assessed throughout the trial.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
Subjects will receive active VNS paired with track-specific rehabilitation exercises.
Baylor University Medical Center
Dallas, Texas, United States
Texas Biomedical Device Center
Richardson, Texas, United States
Incidence of adverse events (device safety)
UL, LL, BC and SY - Review of adverse events reported throughout the trial will be used to inform the potential risks associated with the ReStore System
Time frame: Starting at session 1 on week 1, throughout the study up to last session 36 on week 15.
Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function (JTHF) Score
UL only - Determine whether VNS therapy improves Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function (JTHF) score compared to baseline. This measure is not a scale. Each item is timed from 0 to 120 seconds. Lower/faster values are better.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, session 36 on week 15, and as needed during intervening sessions from week 2 to 14.
Graded Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensibility, and Prehension (GRASSP)
UL only - Determine whether VNS therapy improves the GRASSP score compared to baseline. This scale is from 0 to 116 points. Higher scores are better.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, session 36 on week 15, and as needed during intervening sessions from week 2 to 14.
Force & Range of motion
UL only - Determine whether VNS therapy improves force and range of motion in the hand and wrist compared to baseline.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, session 36 on week 15, and as needed during intervening sessions from week 2 to 14.
6 Meter Walk Test (6MWT)
LL only - Determine whether VNS therapy improves six-minute walking test (6MWT) score compared to baseline. This measure is not a scale. Higher distance covered is better.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, session 36 on week 15, and as needed during intervening sessions from week 2 to 14.
10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT)
LL only - Determine whether VNS therapy improves 10-Meter Walk Test (10-MWT) score compared to baseline. This measure is not a scale. Lower time to complete is better.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, session 36 on week 15, and as needed during intervening sessions from week 2 to 14.
Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI II)
LL only - Determine whether VNS therapy improves Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI II) score compared to baseline. This scale is from 0-20. Higher scores are better.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, session 36 on week 15, and as needed during intervening sessions from week 2 to 14.
Berg's Balance Scale (BBG)
LL only - Determine whether VNS therapy improves Berg's Balance Scale (BBG) score compared to baseline. This scale is from 0 to 56. Higher scores are better.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, session 36 on week 15, and as needed during intervening sessions from week 2 to 14.
Timed Up-and Go (TUG)Test
LL only - Determine whether VNS therapy improves Timed Up-and Go (TUG)Test score compared to baseline. This measure is not a scale. Lower time to complete is better.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, session 36 on week 15, and as needed during intervening sessions from week 2 to 14.
Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS)
LL only - Determine whether VNS therapy improves Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS) compared to baseline. This scale is from 0 to 50. Higher scores are better.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, session 36 on week 15, and as needed during intervening sessions from week 2 to 14.
Voiding efficiency
BC only - Estimate the shift in voiding efficiency through bladder ultrasonography assessment following active VNS
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, session 36 on week 13, and as needed during intervening sessions on week 2 to 13.
Bladder volume capacity
BC only - Estimate the shift in bladder volume capacity during bladder ultrasonography assessment following active VNS
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, session 36 on week 13, and as needed during intervening sessions on week 2 to 13.
Postvoid residual volume (PVR)
BC only - Estimate the shift in PVR during bladder ultrasonography assessment following active VNS
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, session 36 on week 13, and as needed during intervening sessions on week 2 to 13.
Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score (NBSS) questionnaire
BC only - Estimate the shift in NBSS score following active VNS. This scale is from 0 to 78. Lower scores are better.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, session 36 on week 13, and as needed during intervening sessions on week 2 to 13.
Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI-6), short form questionnaire
BC only - Estimate the shift in the UDI-6 questionnaire score following active VNS. This scale is from 0 to 18. Lower scores are better.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, session 36 on week 13, and as needed during intervening sessions on week 2 to 13.
Two - Point Discrimination
SY only - Determine whether VNS therapy improves Two-Point Discrimination (2PD) score compared to baseline. This measure is not a scale but the ability to feel two separate points of touch on the skin instead of just one. It's a sensory test used in neurological exams to assess the density and health of nerve innervation in a specific area of the body. The test involves determining the smallest distance between two points that a person can still perceive as two separate stimuli.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, on week 8, week 12 and as needed during intervening sessions from week 2 to 7.
Tactile Discrimination Test (TDT)
SY only- Determine whether VNS therapy improves Tactile Discrimination Test (TDT) score compared to baseline. This scale is from 0 to 25 points. Higher scores are better.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, on week 8, week 12, and as needed during intervening sessions from week 2 to 7.
Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments (SWM)
SY only - Determine whether VNS therapy improves Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments (SWM) test score compared to baseline. This measure is not a scale but a test to assess a person's light touch sensation using a set of filaments of different thickness to identify loss of protective sensation in areas like feet or hands. The level of the filament required to elicit a response provides a measurement of the patient's sensory threshold. Thinner filament indicates better sensory function.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, on week 8, week 12, and as needed during intervening sessions from week 2 to 7.
US-Nottingham Sensory Assessment (US-NSA)
SY only - Determine whether VNS therapy improves US-Nottingham Sensory Assessment (US-NSA) score compared to baseline. This assessment is a scale ranging from 0 to 92 for the upper extremity, and 0 to 172 for the combined upper and lower extremities. Higher scores indicate better sensory function.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, on week 8, week 12, and as needed during intervening sessions from week 2 to 7.
International SCI Pain Basic Data
SY only- Determine whether VNS therapy can reduce pain severity and improve patient-reported outcomes of the International SCI Pain Basic Data Set, compared to baseline measures. This measure uses a numeric rating scale from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain. Lower scores indicate lower pain intensity.
Time frame: At session 1 on week 1, on week 8, week 12, and as needed during intervening sessions from week 2 to 7.
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