Upper-body aerobic exercise in the acute stage post spinal cord injury
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Time is of the essence: the impact of early initiated upper-body aerobic exercise on cardiovascular health following spinal cord injury
IRAS ID
315098
Contact name
Thomas E Nightingale
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN99941302
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 29 days
Research summary
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex and devastating neurological condition that not only results in paralysis and associated physical deconditioning but can disrupt cardiovascular autonomic control. Diminished sympathetic input to the heart and blood vessels can result in variable blood pressure and a blunted heart rate response to exercise. Consequently, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in this population. Current best practice post-SCI is an initial period of bed rest followed by inpatient rehabilitation with a physiotherapist to build strength and master self-care strategies. Aerobic exercise to improve cardiovascular health is not considered an integral component of early rehabilitation in this population. Our preliminary data indicates reductions in cardiac function occur in as little as 3 months following injury. Therefore, this period of inpatient rehabilitation represents a lost opportunity to mitigate a decline in cardiovascular health. The aim of this proposed feasibility study is to assess the impact of early initiated upper-body moderate-intensity exercise on arterial stiffness (primary outcome) and other cardiovascular health outcomes compared to standard care inpatient rehabilitation over a 10-week period with a 6-month follow-up. This study will also capture the decline in cardiovascular health during a period of inactivity following injury, which may be relevant to other population groups.
REC name
Wales REC 2
REC reference
22/WA/0329
Date of REC Opinion
22 Nov 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion