The objectives of the study are to evaluate a 4-week mixed training paradigm consisting
of explosive strength training and balance perturbation training efficacy on balance
control during standing and locomotion, and to understand the mechanisms of
neuroplasticity that would improve sensorimotor integration at supraspinal and spinal
levels.

Sensorimotor Integration Underlying Balance Control in Individuals With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal Cord Injuries

After obtaining their consent, participants will undertake evaluations at different
times:

  1. Assessment 1 week prior to training

  2. Training over 4 weeks (nature of the training depends on the group)

  3. Assessment 1 week after training

  4. Assessment 1 month after training (follow-up)

Each assessment will be divided in 2 sessions and data will be collected over 2 days, at
one session per day. Days can be consecutive or non-consecutive but will be within a
given week. The assessment consists of:

  -  Session 1 (S1; duration: 3h) will include presentation of the Study and obtainment
     of consent, clinical tests, galvanic vestibular stimulation testing, postural
     reactions and gait assessment.

  -  Session 2 (S2; duration: 3h) will include muscle strength, short-afference
     inhibition, paired pulse and trans cranial magnetic stimulation conditioning of H
     reflex.

After the initial assessment, iSCI participants will be separated in 2 groups and will
receive combination of explosive strength and balance training or no intervention. The
training will span over 12 sessions (3 times per week for 4 weeks) and each training
session will last approximately 1h (including effective training and installation
periods).

Combined explosive strength and specific balance training group

Sensorimotor Integration Underlying Balance Control in Individuals With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Assessing Neural Changes After the Injury and Promoting Recovery Through Specific Training

Evaluation of the latency on Soleus and Tibialis anterior muscles EMG following backward
and forward perturbations will be done.

Excursion of centre of pressure will be analyzed following forward and backward
perturbation.

Evaluation of isometric dorsi- and planti-flexors muscle strength in Newton will be done
using a force transducer attached to the participant's feet.

Associate professor and researcher

A paired-pulses paradigm (two trans cranial magnetic stimulations at motor cortex level)
will be used to evaluate the intracortical mechanisms

A stimulation (using TMS) at motor cortex level will be triggered just after a peripheral
electrical stimulation of tibial nerve to evaluate the peripheral afferents on cortical
output.

A stimulation (using TMS) at motor cortex level will be triggered just before a tibial
nerve stimulation to evaluate the modulation of the H reflex by the corticospinal tract.

Galvanic vestibular stimulation will be triggered during quiet standing. EMG responses of
Soleus and Tibialis Anterior muscles will be analyzed.

Galvanic vestibular stimulation will be triggered during quiet standing. The displacement
of the center of pressure will be analyzed using a force platform.

This group will be formed with participants with incomplete spinal cord injury. This
group will perform 4 weeks of combined explosive strength and specific balance training.

This group will be formed with participants with incomplete spinal cord injury. They will
perform all the evaluation before and after a 4-week period of rest (no training).

Healthy participants will be recruited based on the age and sex of the participants with
incomplete spinal cord injury to realize clinical and neurophysiological cortical
evaluations.

Sensorimotor Integration Underlying Balance Control in Individuals With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

About this trial

Study ID

Status

Type

Phase

Placebo

Accepting

Trial Timing

What is this trial about?

What are the Participation Requirements?

Locations

Location

Status