Nerve Transfer Surgery to Restore Upper-limb Function After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Nerve Transfer Surgery to Restore Upper-limb Function After Ceervical Spinal Cord Injury

The goal of this prospective, open label cohort study is to assess functional and motor outcomes in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury who have undergone nerve transfer surgery, with the goal of increasing upper limb function. We will also compare these outcomes to a cohort of similarly matched individuals who have not undergone nerve transfer surgery, using robust outcome measures, rigorous pre-operative clinical and neurophysiological assessments, and standardized rehabilitation. At the end of this project we aim to develop a model for predicting nerve transfer outcomes using pre-operative clinical and neurophysiological characteristics.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Upper Extremity Dysfunction; Cervical Spinal Cord Injury; Spinal Cord Injury; Spinal Cord Injury at C5-C7 Level; SCI - Spinal Cord Injury; Upper Extremity Paralysis; Tetraplegia; Upper Extremity Paresis

Detailed Description

The purposes of this study are:

1. To quantify functional and motor outcomes of NT in patients with SCI, using robust outcome measures, rigorous pre-operative clinical and neurophysiological assessments, and standardized rehabilitation, and to compare these outcomes against individuals who did not undergo nerve transfer surgery.
2. To develop a model for predicting NT outcomes using pre-operative clinical and neurophysiological characteristics.

Outcome measures:

Purpose 1: The primary study outcome is the Graded Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensibility and Prehension (GRASSP Ver. 1). Secondary outcomes are the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) and motor outcomes in recipient muscles following NT, including muscle strength and neurophysiological assessments at 3 months intervals post-operatively, to final outcome measurement at 24 months.

Purpose 2: Relevant demographic, clinical variables and neurophysiological variables (including joint range of motion, muscle spasticity, pain, depression motor unit number estimation in recipient muscles and ultrasound evaluation of recipient muscle quality), are a priori variables that will be collected at baseline, in order to develop a clinical prediction tool to inform prognosis.

Research Design:

All SCI individuals referred to an interdisciplinary clinic for potential nerve transfer will undergo a standardized clinical examination, according to the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI), to classify neurological level of injury. As well, electrodiagnostic test which will be performed by one of our highly qualified physicians. Individuals who are deemed candidates for nerve transfer surgery will be screened and invited to participate in the study. Participation in the study will not, in any way, influence clinical care.

After receiving written consent, outcome measurement will take place pre-operatively, then at 3-month intervals post operatively; final analysis will occur at 24 months after surgery. As well, a control group consisting of those SCI individuals who chose to not undergo or are not candidates for surgery will be recruited. This "control group" will undergo assessments at 24 months following their injuries, in line with the anticipated functional plateau in spontaneous recovery expected . Outcome measurement will be performed at GF Strong Rehabilitation Hospital (Primary site), the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, and Kingston Health Science Centre. Rehabilitation will be administered by highly qualified hand therapists with standardized frequency, and duration for all individuals. All study data will be stored in a REDCap database which will be shared between all participating institutions.

Outcome measurement & information collected include:

Graded Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensibility and Prehension (GRASSP), which is a validated upper limb functional measure, specifically designed for use in SCI (Kalsi-Ryan et al. 2012). It incorporates three domains vital to upper limb function: sensation, strength, and prehension. It is a multimodal test comprising 5 subtests for each upper limb: dorsal sensation, palmar sensation, strength, prehension ability and prehension performance. The GRASSP results in 5 numerical scores that provide a comprehensive profile of upper-limb function and will be administered by GRASSP certified research personnel. As well, individuals will be asked to complete the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) questionnaire (Catz A, et al. 1997) on the same day of their visit.

At Baseline, a validated technique called motor unit number estimation (MUNE) counts the number of MN's and can be essential in evaluating MN health. We aim to carry out this technique towards measuring the health of MN's in functionally relevant muscles in patients with SCI and comparing this with healthy controls. The purpose of this study is to provide a quantitative measure of the size of MN pool in clinically relevant muscles below the level of SCI using MPS and MScan MUNE. We will also supplement information about MNs with ultrasound-derived measures of muscle quality.

Ultrasound sonography recording will be taken to analyze the structural health of recipient muscles and to quantify muscle fibrosis and atrophy. The muscles of interest will be anatomically identified and marked, and ultrasound gel will be applied to skin surface of the upper limb prior to placing the ultrasound probe. Individuals will be asked to lie in a dimly lit room for this portion of the study.

Demographic information will be collected for each participant, including

• age;
• sex;
• medical comorbidities; and
• medications

Clinical factors influencing functional and motor recovery in SCI will be measured:

• spasticity with modified Ashworth scores;
• depression with Beck's depression inventory (Beck, A. T., et al. 1996);
• passive ranges of motion in joints targeted by NT; and
• brief pain inventory (Ullrich PM, et al. 2008).

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 60

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Michael Berger, MD, PhD; Phone Number: 778-990-7615; Email: michael.berger@vch.ca

Study Locations

• Canada
  • British Columbia
    • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5Z 2G9
      • Recruiting
      • GF Strong Rehabilitation Hospital
      • Contact: Harvey Wu, MD; Email: harvey.wu@ubc.ca
      • Principal Investigator: Michael Berger, MD, PhD
      • Sub-Investigator: Russell O'Connor, MD
      • Sub-Investigator: Erin Brown, MD
      • Sub-Investigator: Chris Doherty, MD
      • Sub-Investigator: Amy Hanlan, MD
  • Nova Scotia
    • Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3H 3A7
      • Not yet recruiting
      • QEII Health Sciences Centre
      • Contact: Emily Krauss
      • Principal Investigator: Emily Krauss, MD, MSc
  • Ontario
    • Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 5G2
      • Not yet recruiting
      • Kingston Health Sciences Centre
      • Contact: Michael Hendry, MD, MSc
      • Principal Investigator: Michael Hendry, MD, MSc
    • Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4N 3M5
      • Not yet recruiting
      • Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
      • Contact: Jana Dengler, MD, MASc
      • Principal Investigator: Jana Dengler, MD, MASc

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patient referrals are ensured through established care pathways for upper-limb rehabilitation in SCI, including nerve transfer. Research objectives will be facilitated through already available institutional clinical and rehabilitation resources at each study site. Potential participants will be informed of the study directly by their treating physicians. The research study will be introduced by the PI or one of the co-Is of the study, who are also responsible for clinical care of all prospective participants.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Motor complete (AIS A or B) between neurological level of injury C5 and C8
• Able to provide informed written consent
• Able to attend and comply with the testing protocols
• Able to understand and speak English or have access to an appropriate interpreter as judged by the investigator.

Exclusion Criteria:

• An uncontrolled medical condition (e.g. uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney or liver disease)
• Have ever received botulinum toxin injections (Botox) for tone management in the upper limb
• An unmanaged secondary complication of SCI including but not limited to uncontrolled neuropathic pain or spasticity, syringomyelia, fracture, urinary tract infection or significant pressure ulcer, preventing participation in testing

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Experiemental: Surgical Arm; Individuals in this group will receive nerve transfer surgery 6 - 9 months post cervical spine injury and be observed for two years post-operatively.
Control: Non-surgical; Individuals in this group will not have undergone nerve transfer surgery. They will be observed for two years post injury while receiving standard of care including medical and rehabilitation. We want to reinforce that individuals are not being randomized to surgery versus non-surgery. Rather individuals this group will either have made the decision not to undergo surgery, independent their participation in this study.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Graded Redefined Assessment of Strength, Sensibility and Prehension (GRASSP)	A validated upper limb functional measures and previously is used in SCI (Kalsi-Ryan et al. 2012) incorporates three domains vital to upper limb function: sensation, strength, and prehension.	Baseline then every 3 months for 2 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Modified Ashworth scores (MAS)	Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) have been utilized in spinal cord injury patient population to assess spasticity by examining muscle tones.	Baseline then every 3 months for 2 years
Range of Motion	A Goniometer is used to measure range of motion of the joint angles (degrees) from the axis of the joint. The measurement of joint movements is compared to its full potential.	Baseline then every 3 months for 2 years
Ultrasound	Ultrasound imaging to assess the structural health of recipient muscles and to quantify muscle fibrosis and atrophy.	Baseline then every 3 months for 2 years
Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM)	The SCIM has been developed to address three specific areas of function in patients with spinal cord injuries such as activities of daily living, respiration and sphincter management, and a patient's mobility abilities.	Baseline then every 3 months for 2 years
Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN-4)	A questionnaire consisting of 10 items and can be useful in assessment of neuropathic pain. The items related to pain quality are based on an interview and examination of the patient.	Baseline then every 3 months for 2 years
Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI)	The questionnaire is a 21-item, self-report rating inventory that measures characteristic attitudes and symptoms of depression.	Baseline then every 3 months for 2 years

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of British Columbia
• Collaborators: University of Toronto; Queen's University; Dalhousie University; Wings for Life
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Michael Berger, MD, PHD, University of British Columbia

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 3, 2021
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): January 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Anticipated): January 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 1, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 1, 2022
• First Posted (Estimate): December 6, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): December 6, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 1, 2022
• Last Verified: December 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: spinal cord injury; upper extremity nerve transfer; nerve transfer; SCI; nerve reconstruction; quadriplegia; paresis
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Trauma, Nervous System; Spinal Cord Diseases; Muscle Weakness; Wounds and Injuries; Paralysis; Spinal Cord Injuries; Paresis; Quadriplegia
• Other Study ID Numbers: H20-03350

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: Undecided
• IPD Plan Description: The IPD sharing plan is under discussion.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No