Early rehabilitation promoting motor recovery from SCI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Early self-initiated upper-body exercise to improve volitional control below the level of injury after spinal cord injury
IRAS ID
312585
Contact name
Shin-Yi Chiou
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN89333770
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
Arm-crank exercise training (ACET) is commonly used for cardiorespiratory fitness after spinal cord injury (SCI). Arm ergometers are part of the rehabilitation equipment in majority of NHS trusts and found in local gyms or fitness centres. Emerging evidence suggests ACET can also benefit motor control below the level of injury, such as reduced hyperreflexia in the lower limbs and enhanced sitting balance in people with complete cervical or high thoracic SCI. Our work in chronic SCI also demonstrates improved trunk control after the ACET , with the improvement likely resulted from neuroplasticity induced by the physiological interaction between the arms and the trunk, a phenomenon termed crossed facilitation. Utilising the concept of crossed facilitation enables individuals with SCI to use the part of the body that is functioning to rehabilitate the parts that are affected by the injury. This project will evaluate the effects of ACE on volitional control below the level of injury and the feasibility of the ACET in subacute SCI patients.
This is a randomised study involving patients with spinal cord injury. The primary aim of the study is to investigate the effects of early ACET on volitional control below the level of injury in adults with SCI. The secondary aim of the study is to explore effects of early ACET on physical and psychological recovery from SCI.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
22/NS/0054
Date of REC Opinion
3 May 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion