Active Trials

The Spinal Cord Injury Model System (SCIMS) is a nationwide network of hospitals and research centers in the United States that provides comprehensive care for people with spinal cord injuries. These centers also conduct long-term research to improve treatment, rehabilitation, and quality of life for individuals living with spinal cord injury. SCIMS tracks patient outcomes over time and helps develop evidence-based practices to advance care and recovery.

Administration for Community Living (ACL), National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)
Co-Principle Investigators: Heather Taylor, PhD; Argy Stampas, MD, MS
Investigators: Susan Robinson-Wheelen, PhD

This project is based on the hypothesis that opioid administration early in SCI may cause increased secondary damage at the site of the lesion, and lead to worse motor scores, pain, and depression. This is an observational, multi-center study involving members of the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems, with Dr. Stampas as the overall lead investigator.

TMSCIS module project, multicenter study
Principle Investigator: Argy Stampas, MD, MS
Co-investigators: Heather Taylor PhD, Michelle Hook PhD, John Harvin MD, MS, Kyung Hyun (Katie) Lee, PhD

In this multicenter project, we are administering bladder neuromodulation via the tibial nerve during acute rehabilitation of spinal cord injury to test whether morbidity of the developing neurogenic bladder can be reduced, with patients being followed 1-year after injury with continued use of neuromodulation at home.

Craig H Neilsen Foundation
Principle Investigator: Argyrios Stampas, MD
Co-Investigators: Sheng Li, MD, PhD, Rose Khavari, MD (BCM)

Administration for Community Living (ACL), National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)
Principle Investigator: Suzanne Groah, MD, MSPH (MedStar Health Research Institute)
Sub-project: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation for Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction
Sub-project PI: Argyrios Stampas, MD, MS
Co-Investigators: Suzanne Groah, MD, MSPH, Sheng Li, MD, PhD, Rose Khavari, MD (BCM), Radha Korupolu, MD, MS

We will check various neuromodulation techniques and placement to optimize non-invasive spinal neuromodulation after spinal cord injury. I am the SCI physician co-investigator on this grant.

NIH R01 NS119587-01A1
Principle Investigator: Dimitry Sayenko, PhD. (Houston Methodist Research Institute
Co-investigator: Argy Stampas, MD, MS

We are testing whether pairing invasive vagus nerve stimulation (a device that gently stimulates a nerve in the neck) with physical therapy can safely and effectively improve arm and hand function in people with spinal cord injury in the neck area.

Funding: Mission Connect
Co-Principal Investigator: Radha Korupolu, MD, MS

We plan to test the safety of a non-invasive device that stimulates the ear to activate the vagus nerve. Combined with therapy, this stimulation may improve hand and arm movement in people with spinal cord injury at neck level.

Funding: Mission Connect
Co-Principal Investigator in SCI study and Co-investigator in Stroke population: Radha Korupolu, MD, MS
Recruitment: Anticipate starting recruitment in June 2025

We are testing whether using a smartphone app to guide mindfulness exercises can help people with spinal cord injuries manage chronic pain, and improve depression, anxiety and quality of life.

Funding: Pending NCCIH
Principal Investigator: Radha Korupolu, MD, MS
Recruitment: Anticipate starting recruitment in June 2025