The primary purpose of this project, is to evaluate the effect of a wheelchair mounted robotic arm (WMRA) to improve the functional independence of veterans with SCI.

The study will determine if the ability to perform marker tasks within the following four categories is improved after the 4 week training period using the robotic arm: 1. activities of daily living, 2. vocational tasks, 3. advanced tasks, and subject-specific tasks.

Condition	Treatment or Intervention	Phase
Spinal Cord Injury	Device: Robotic Arm	Phase II

The primary purpose of this project, is to evaluate the effect of a wheelchair mounted robotic arm (WMRA) to improve the functional independence of veterans with SCI.

The study will determine if the ability to perform marker tasks within the following four categories is improved after the 4 week training period using the robotic arm: 1. activities of daily living, 2. vocational tasks, 3. advanced tasks, and subject-specific tasks.

The secondary purposes of this project are the following: 1.Does quality of life (life satisfaction and health status) improve after a 4 week period of using the WMRA? 2. What are the perceived advantages of the WMRA to the veteran with SCI? Additionally, the study will evaluate the following: 1) ease of installation and usefulness of instructional manuals; 2) training requirements (time, tasks); 3) safety features; 4) reliability of the device; 5) home, community, and vocational applications; 6) user acceptability; 7) maintenance/ service; 8) portability; and possible modifications.

Ages Eligible for Study:  18 Years and above,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

Patients with spinal cord injuries

Texas
      VAMC, Houston, Houston,  Texas,  United States

Study chairs or principal investigators

John Fryer, Ph.D. Asst. Director,  Department of Veterans Affairs, Program Analysis and Review Section (PARS), Rehabilitation Research & Development Service   
Nancy Rocheleau, Program Analyst,  Department of Veterans Affairs, Program Analysis and Review Section (PARS), Rehabilitation Research & Development Service   

Study ID Numbers:  B2311
Record last reviewed:  January 2001
Record first received:  February 22, 2001
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00011609
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2004-11-16