Title of Study: Investigating brain activity and muscle activity during cycling for people with spinal cord injury

Department: Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering/Division of Surgery & Interventional Science

This study has been approved by the UCL Research Ethics Committee Approval ID Number: 9195/002

Name and Contact Details of the Researcher(s): Nayereh Seyedarabi (email: [email protected])

Name and Contact Details of the Principal Researcher: Dr. Lynsey Duffell (email: [email protected])

We would like to invite you to take part in a research study investigating the brain signals and muscle signals during cycling in people with spinal cord injury. This study will be carried out at the Aspire CREATe lab, at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and should last no longer than 3 hours. The study will consist of a single session, however depending on the study outcome and your personal preference we might ask you to do a second session.

During each visit, we will record and investigate your brain activity using electroencephalogram (EEG) and muscle activity using electromyogram (EMG) during different types of cycling; in one type you will attempt to actively participate in the cycling movement and will try to provide movement to the pedal and in another type you will allow for the motor alone to provide the movement to the pedals. These recordings will be done with electrodes placed on your head or legs.

The results from this study will contribute to a better understanding of (1) how brain signals are affected following a spinal cord injury and (2) whether it is possible to develop a biofeedback system that can be used alongside cycling training that could identify and encourage people to actively participate during cycling.  The results can also be very useful for (3) understanding training outcomes from other cycling studies such as functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling studies.

We are looking for people with spinal cord injury, with no previous history of neurological conditions, between the ages of 18 - 65 years. You should be more than 2 years post injury and have no joint deformities, unhealed fractures or severe osteoporosis. You should not have a pacemaker and should not have any cardiovascular or pulmonary disease.  Your level of injury should be below C7 and you should have a normal range of motion in your knees and hips.

If you are interested in taking part or have any further questions, please contact us at [email protected] with your contact details. We will send you an information sheet on the study and contact you to answer any questions and to arrange a time for you to visit the lab if you agree to take part. We would be delighted if you decide to take part.

Please be aware that if you choose to participate, you may withdraw from the study at any time without providing an explanation.

Pre-screening questionnaire

Research consent form

Research information sheet

Research opportunities

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