AI-Guided Predictions of Blood Pressure Dysregulation Using Perfusion Index as a Novel Biomarker in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI), Blood Pressure, Thermoregulation, Perfusion Index

In brief

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if perfusion index (PI) can reliably predict changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) during a cool temperature challenge. Participants with SCI can be 18-75 years of age, male or female, neurological level of injury C4-T12, ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS: A or B: motor complete) or gender and healthy age-matched able-bodied (AB) controls. The main question this study aims to answer is: can PI reliably predict change in SBP during a cool temperature challenge? The investigators hypothesize that PI can be used as a biomarker of SBP in persons with SCI. Researchers will compare the relationship of 1) changes in PI and SBP and 2) relationship of changes in other vital signs to SBP, during the cool temperature challenge. The researchers aim to determine if PI can be used as a biomarker of SBP in persons with SCI during a cool temperature challenge (experimental group/arm). Able-bodied controls (control group/arm) will receive the same intervention (cool challenge) as the experimental group. During the study, participants will be asked to wear only shorts and a T-shirt so that their skin can be exposed to the warm and cool temperatures of the 2 rooms. The investigators will put put on non-invasive sensors (taped or attached on the surface of your body) to measure PI, BP, and other vital signs. The investigators will record these measurements while the participant is seated in a wheelchair for 10 minutes in a warm room and up to 90 minutes in a cool room.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07699094

Run by

James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center

People needed

24

Starts

2026-09-01

Expected to finish

2028-06-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-08-10

Who can join

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

You may qualify if…

• The participant had a spinal cord injury (SCI: C4-T12) for more than one year and the SCI was graded as ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) A or B (unable to voluntarily move your legs)
• The participant can also be a gender and age-matched (±5 years) able-bodied (AB) control subject (similar gender and age to a subject with SCI).
• Subjects with SCI and AB controls must be between 18 and 75 years of age.
• If the participant are going to do the study, they must avoid caffeine and alcohol, maintain normal salt and water intake, and avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours prior to the study visit.

You may not qualify if…

• The participant has cardiovascular, kidney, or untreated thyroid disease
• The participant has had a traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• The participant has diabetes mellitus
• The participant has an acute illness or infection
• The participant is dehydrated
• The participant smokes
• The participant is pregnant
• The participant has broken, inflamed, or otherwise fragile skin
• The participant's Body Mass Index (BMI) is more than 30 kg/m2

Where it is running

• James J Peters VA Medical Center — The Bronx, New York, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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