Enhancing Indoor, Community, and Advanced Wheelchair Skills in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Completed · Phase 2/Phase 3

Conditions studied: Spinal Cord Injury

In brief

We propose to test an evidence-based wheelchair skills training program to optimize wheelchair safety and performance in veterans with SCI. The proposed training program incorporates emerging evidence on wheelchair biomechanics and motor-skills learning, and addresses recommendations in a new clinical practice guideline. Given the difficulty in translating wheelchair skills learned in a therapy clinic with "real world" problems in the home and community post-discharge, we are proposing to conduct the wheelchair skills training in and around the veteran's home. The immediate goal is to enhance ability, performance time, safety, community participation, and quality of life, while minimizing physical strain. The ultimate goal is to reduce morbidity/mortality associated with wheelchair use and promote successful aging with a disability.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT00434018

Run by

US Department of Veterans Affairs

People needed

138

Starts

2008-04-01

Expected to finish

2011-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2015-05-12

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 75. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• SCI for at least 1 year (neurologically stable)
• Level of injury: C6 and below who use manual wheelchair as a primary means of mobility
• Able to self-propel wheelchair
• Between the ages of 18-75
• Able to follow simple instructions

You may not qualify if…

• Progressive disease (e.g. spinal tumor)
• Extended bedrest for more than 30 days
• Ventilator-dependent
• Any cardiac or respiratory condition that would limit subject's physical performance
• Unstable medical conditions
• Use power wheelchair or scooter as primary means of mobility
• Pregnancy

Where it is running

• James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL — Tampa, Florida, United States
• VA Medical Center, Augusta — Augusta, Georgia, United States
• VA Medical Center, Jamaica Plain Campus — Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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