SCI Program

Walking after Incomplete Paralysis

Participants with incomplete injuries gain the ability to walk with balance assistance.

General Information on this clinical study

Principal Investigator: Ronald Triolo, Ph.D.

Clinical Coordinator: Lori Murray, P.T., M.S.

Contact Number: 216-778-3604

Contact Email: lmurray@fes.case.edu

Program Title: Facilitating Ambulation after Incomplete Paralysis with FES

Purpose

To improve the ability to walk after an incomplete spinal cord injury or stroke.

Program Description

The goal of this project is to improve walking function after partial paralysis by employing electrical stimulation to activate otherwise paralyzed or weakened muscles and coordinate them with remaining volitional movements. Both volitional and stimulated strength of the partially paralyzed musculature should improve with FES, allowing non-ambulatory individuals to achieve independent household or community walking. In addition, this study will focuses on establishing the effectiveness of various methods of controlling stimulation and integrating it into the preserved voluntary capacities of persons with partial paralysis, including automatic triggering via the EMG, and utilizing the activity of weak but non-functional muscles to control stimulus timing and intensity. Progress to date includes screening and quantitative neuromuscular and gait evaluations on numerous potential research participants, establishment of laboratory instrumentation for EMG signal acquisition and processing and artifact reduction for recording voluntary activity while simultaneously stimulating paralyzed muscles, and methods for controlling stimulation in a closed loop fashion.