The Use of Anabolic Steroids to Improve Function After Spinal Cord Injury

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2006-05-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of oxandrolone on the function and quality of life of patients with chronic spinal cord injury.

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: US Department of Veterans Affairs; VA Office of Research and Development
• Treatments: Oxandrolone

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Part-A

• Diagnosed with a traumatic injury to spinal cord

• Motor complete injury at level of C5 to T12

• Date of injury at least one year prior to enrollment

• Sufficient upper body strength to participate in a 12-week resistance training program with accommodation for disability in hand strength and/or grasping

• Lean body mass in lower extremities less than 90% of normal as determined by DEXA scan

• Willingness to take study medication for 12 weeks twice a day by mouth

Part-B:

• Diagnosed with a traumatic injury to the spinal cord

• Motor incomplete injury at any level

• Date of injury at least one year prior to enrollment

• Lean body mass in lower extremities less than 90% of normal as determined by DEXA scan

• Ability to stand independently with or without the aid of assistive device(s)

• Willingness to take study medication for 12 weeks twice a day by mouth

Exclusion Criteria:

Active medical problems including:

• Uncontrolled diabetes

• Cardiovascular disease

• Cancer

• Liver disease

• Hypocalcaemia

• Nephritic syndrome

• HIV/AIDS

• Pressure ulcers of grade 3 or 4

• Shoulder pathology

• Pregnancy