NCT06688916 A Comprehensive Assessment of Altered Embodiment in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury
| NCT ID | NCT06688916 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil |
| Condition | Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) |
| Study Type | OBSERVATIONAL |
| Enrollment | 80 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-06-04 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-05 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.
What to Expect as a Participant
This is an observational study. You will not receive an experimental treatment; researchers will collect data based on your existing condition or standard treatment.
This trial targets 80 participants in total. It began in 2025-06-04 with a primary completion date of 2026-05.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when trauma or other factors damage the spinal cord, disrupting the flow of sensory information from the body to the brain. This interruption can interfere with embodiment-the body awareness and physical sensations processed by the brain-sometimes leading to a phenomenon called disembodiment. For people with SCI, disembodiment may appear as unusual body sensations, like feeling that a limb is in a different position than it actually is. Such changes in body awareness can impact daily life, mental health, and rehabilitation outcomes. Despite its importance, the study of embodiment in SCI remains limited. This project aims to explore how SCI alters embodiment, focusing on its specific characteristics, the effects on daily life, and the underlying brain activity as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Both people with and without SCI will participate. Procedure: Participants will complete a single examination lasting 2 to 2.5 hours, including approximately 55 minutes in the MRI scanner (with preparation and follow-up).
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria for all participants: * Age between 18 and 60 * Normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity * German or Italian native speaker Additional Inclusion Criteria only for individuals with SCI: * Diagnosis of traumatic spinal cord injury * Lesion level below T1 (first thoracic vertebra) * Time since injury \>= 12 months * Residual sensation on the upper leg (sensory capability of 1 or higher on at least one leg in the dermatomes L2 and L3 for both light touch and pin prick). Exclusion Criteria for all participants: * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Diagnosis of other psychiatric or neurological disorders (e.g. epilepsy, tumor in the central nervous system) * Confirmed diagnosis of alcohol and/or drug abuse with active consumption within the last 6 months * Confirmed diagnosis of traumatic brain injury, intended as visible changes in the brain diagnosed by a radiologist * Stroke * Inability to perform study procedures (e.g. inability to consent) Additional Exclusion Criteria for both HC and SCI undergoing the fMRI procedure: * Active medical devices (e.g. cardiac pacemaker) * Inability to perform study procedures (e.g. claustrophobia)
Contact & Investigator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06688916 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 65 Years, studying Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI). Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT06688916 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06688916 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at giuseppe.zito@paraplegie.ch for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT06688916 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Nottwil, Switzerland.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06688916 clinical trial?
NCT06688916 is sponsored by Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil. The trial plans to enroll 80 participants.