Harnessing Neuroplasticity to Enhance Functional Recovery During Chronic Recovery From Upper Extremity Nerve Repair
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 8/22/2018 |
| Start Date: | August 15, 2018 |
| End Date: | September 14, 2019 |
| Contact: | Scott H Frey, Ph.D., Ed.M. |
| Email: | freylab@missouri.edu |
| Phone: | 573-882-4572 |
Harnessing Neuroplasticity to Enhance Functional Recovery in Allogeneic Hand Transplant and Heterotopic Hand Replant Recipients
This study adopts a strategy that has arisen from basic neuroscience research on facilitating
adaptive brain plasticity and applies this to rehabilitation to improve functional recovery
in peripheral nervous system injuries (including hand transplantation, hand replantation, and
surgically repaired upper extremity nerve injuries). The technique involves combining
behavioral training with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)—a non-invasive form
of brain stimulation capable of facilitating adaptive changes in brain organization.
adaptive brain plasticity and applies this to rehabilitation to improve functional recovery
in peripheral nervous system injuries (including hand transplantation, hand replantation, and
surgically repaired upper extremity nerve injuries). The technique involves combining
behavioral training with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)—a non-invasive form
of brain stimulation capable of facilitating adaptive changes in brain organization.
This study will implement and evaluate an innovative program of post hand transplant
rehabilitation; one that harnesses recent discoveries in neuroscience to facilitate
long-term, experience-dependent adaptations within the brain's sensory and motor systems. The
current approach to rehabilitation of function in allogeneic hand transplant recipients is
largely the same as standard-of-care following hand replantation (re-attachment) and
peripheral nerve repairs. This involves an eclectic combination of traditional therapies. In
seeking to improve on this approach, there is potentially much to be gained by considering
evidence that limb amputation not only impacts the peripheral nervous system but also the
brain, and tailoring interventions accordingly.
rehabilitation; one that harnesses recent discoveries in neuroscience to facilitate
long-term, experience-dependent adaptations within the brain's sensory and motor systems. The
current approach to rehabilitation of function in allogeneic hand transplant recipients is
largely the same as standard-of-care following hand replantation (re-attachment) and
peripheral nerve repairs. This involves an eclectic combination of traditional therapies. In
seeking to improve on this approach, there is potentially much to be gained by considering
evidence that limb amputation not only impacts the peripheral nervous system but also the
brain, and tailoring interventions accordingly.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Individuals whom have received a unilateral allogeneic transplantation proximal to the
wrist and are at the chronic stage of recovery (approx. 12 - 18 months following
surgery, when Tinel's sign reaches the distal fingertips).
- Individuals whom have undergone a complete amputation the hand between the wrist and
elbow followed by successful re-attachment and are at the chronic stage of recovery
(approx. 12 - 18 months following surgery, when Tinel's sign reaches the distal
fingertips).
- Individuals whom have undergone repairs of the median, ulnar, or other related or
nearby nerve(s) following complex volar forearm lacerations or other injuries between
the distal wrist crease and the flexor musculotendinous junctions. Individuals must be
at the chronic stage of recovery (approx. 12 - 18 months following surgery, when
Tinel's sign reaches the distal fingertips).
Exclusion Criteria:
- Individuals with significant/severe brain trauma
- Serious psychiatric conditions
- Chronic or severe neurological conditions.
- Current pregnancy
- History of seizures or unexplained loss of consciousness
- Metallic implants above the chest
- Certain implanted medical devices.
We found this trial at
3
sites
University of Missouri T he University of Missouri was founded in 1839 in Columbia, Mo.,...
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660 S Euclid Ave
Saint Louis, Missouri 63110
Saint Louis, Missouri 63110
(314) 362-5000
Phone: 314-454-4894
Washington University School of Medicine Washington University Physicians is the clinical practice of the School...
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