Arm cycling improves trunk function
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effects of arm cycling on trunk motor function after spinal cord injury.
IRAS ID
260064
Contact name
Shin-Yi Chiou
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Impaired trunk motor control is seen in the majority of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and that can severely disrupt upper limb and locomotor function. Evidence has shown that increasing neural output to impaired muscles can improve motor function, leading to greater independence and improved performance of activities of daily living. Furthermore, it is evident that combining exercise with a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique (e.g. transcranial direct current stimulation, TDCS) can further enhance the therapeutic effect compared to exercise alone. We have shown that the excitability of corticospinal drive to muscles of the trunk are increased after a single session of arm cycling for 30 minutes in people with SCI. This finding leads us to hypothesise that arm cycling exercise may increase neural drive to trunk muscles, thereby leading to improved trunk function. To address this, we propose to examine the effect of 1) a single session of combining arm cycling and TDCS, and 2) a 6-week, home-based arm cycling exercise on trunk motor function in individuals with SCI. 30 participants with a stable, lower cervical or upper thoracic, incomplete SCI will be recruited from The Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries and local community. For first part of the study, participants will undertake the combined exercise for 30 minutes in our lab at University of Birmingham. Functional and neurophysiological assessments will be performed prior to and following the exercise. For second part of the study, participants will undertake the arm cycling at home for 6 weeks. Functional and neurophysiological assessments will be performed in the lab prior to, during, and after the exercise intervention. The project is anticipated to be complete in 24 months. We expect that participants will improve postural stability following the exercise. We also expect an increase in corticospinal function to the trunk muscles after the exercise.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
19/NI/0075
Date of REC Opinion
15 Apr 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion