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An exploratory study to evaluate the effect of rimonabant on hand function in patients with cervical spinal cord injury

InvestigationalNo placebo
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What is this trial about?

A plain-language summary of the goals, design and what participants do

This study focuses on individuals living with a spinal cord injury, which is damage to the bundle of nerves that sends signals between the brain and the rest of the body. The research specifically looks at people with injuries in the neck area, known as cervical spinal cord injury. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of rimonabant on improving how well the hands work.

Participants in this research will take rimonabant in the form of tablets. During the course of the study, various measurements will be taken to observe changes in hand strength, movement, and coordination. Other aspects of physical health, such as walking ability, balance, and fatigue, may also be monitored to understand how the medication affects the body overall.

The research process

The trial runs in 3 steps – from screening to follow-up. Each step says what happens and what the team monitors.

  1. Step 1

    Baseline assessment

    A series of evaluations is performed to establish a starting point for hand motor function, strength, and sensation using the GRASSP scale.

    Various tests are conducted to measure walking ability, including distance walked in six minutes, walking speed over ten meters, and balance through specific tasks.

    hand coordination and dexterity are measured through finger tapping, moving blocks between compartments, and placing pegs into a board.

    handgrip strength is recorded using a handheld device, and the strength of five specific arm muscles is evaluated.

    The ability to reach forward without losing stability is tested.

    Levels of fatigue are assessed through subjective ratings and various scales.

    respiratory function and lung capacity are evaluated through a breathing test, while blood oxygen levels and heart rate are monitored.

    blood pressure is measured to check cardiovascular health.

    The neurological level and completeness of the spinal cord injury are determined through motor and sensory assessments.

    Brain and nerve activity are evaluated using magnetic stimulation and electrical stimulation to check the integrity of motor and sensory pathways.

    independence in daily activities, such as mobility and personal care, is measured.

    sleep quality and patterns over the previous four weeks are assessed.

    Subjective feelings regarding overall improvement, pain levels, muscle stiffness, muscle spasms, mood, and suicide risk are recorded.

  2. Step 2

    Medication administration

    The medication rimonabant is taken in the form of 2.5 mg tablets.

    The tablets are administered via the oral route, meaning they are swallowed.

  3. Step 3

    Monitoring and follow-up

    Any adverse events, which are unexpected medical occurrences or side effects, are recorded and assessed throughout the treatment.

    Changes in physical examinations, blood test results, and vital signs are monitored.

    A final evaluation is conducted at the end of the rimonabant treatment to measure the change in hand motor function compared to the initial baseline.

Who can join the trial?

6 criteria

  • You must be between 18 and 75 years old.
  • It must have been at least 2 months since your spinal cord injury, which is damage to the bundle of nerves that carries messages between your brain and your body.
  • You must have an injury to the cervical spine, which refers to the area of the neck that protects the spinal cord.
  • Your injury must be classified as AIS A–D, which is a way doctors measure the level of sensory and motor function (the ability to feel sensations and move muscles) remaining after an injury.
  • Your muscle strength must be between 5 and 40 points on the UEMS score, which is a specific scale used by doctors to measure the strength of individual muscles.
  • You must be able to provide informed consent, meaning you understand the details of the study and agree to participate.

Who cannot join the trial?

12 criteria

  • Having a high risk of suicide as measured by a specific screening tool called the C-SSRS.
  • Taking part in another medical study involving drugs (medicines) within one month before joining this study.
  • Having any health condition that the doctor believes makes it unsafe to participate, such as severe heart failure (a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood) or uncontrolled diabetes (high blood sugar that is not being properly managed).
  • Having reasons why you cannot undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which is a medical procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells. This includes having metal implants in the head, a pacemaker (a device used to control the heartbeat), having epileptic seizures (sudden electrical disturbances in the brain) in the last two years, or having other implanted electronic devices.
  • A history of serious psychiatric disorders (mental health conditions), major depression, or previous suicide attempts.
  • Using anticoagulants (medicines that thin the blood to prevent clots) or medications that affect how the body processes certain drugs, known as CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers.
  • A Body Mass Index (BMI) higher than 40 kg/m², which is a measure used to determine if a person's weight is high relative to their height.
  • Being pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Being a man or woman who is able to have children but cannot promise to use highly effective contraceptive methods (birth control that has a failure rate of less than 1% per year).
  • Having uncontrolled hypothyroidism (a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones), or a history of serious bone, liver, or kidney disease.
  • Being unable to come to the hospital for scheduled visits.
  • Having a known allergy to rimonabant (the medicine being studied) or any of the excipients (the inactive ingredients used to make the medicine).
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Investigated drugs

Rimonabant is being tested to see if it can help improve how people with injuries to the spinal cord in their neck use their hands.

What is already known about the treatment

Rimonabant - This medication is taken as a pill that you swallow by mouth. While it has been studied for various uses, it is primarily known as a substance that works by blocking specific receptors in the brain that manage hunger and pain signals. By attaching to these receptors, it helps change how the body responds to certain chemical messages. In this study, it is being explored to see if it can help improve how people with spinal cord injuries move their hands.

Investigated diseases

Spinal cord injury - This condition occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord, which is the bundle of nerves that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body. The injury can be caused by physical trauma or other internal factors. Depending on the location and severity, it can disrupt the transmission of nerve signals. This disruption often leads to a loss of movement, sensation, or coordination in the parts of the body below the site of the injury. The level of the injury determines which bodily functions are most affected.
Trial detailsLast updated 7 Oct 2026
Age18+ yearsPhasePhase ITrial ID2025-524279-22-00Protocol codeRIMOHANDOPENEstimated enrolment8 patients

sourced from the EU Clinical Trials Register and site verification

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