SCIPA Full-On :Intensive Exercise Program After Spinal Cord Injury

The study is a multi-centre, assessor-blind, randomised controlled phase III trial in patients with with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury between C6 and T12. A total of 188 participants will be randomised into two groups, the experimental group and the control group. The control group participants will receive an upper body strength and fitness program, conducted for 2-3 hours, three times per week for 12 weeks, while the experimental group articipants will receive a comprehensive full body exercise program, conducted for 2-3 hours, three times per week for 12 weeks.

The main objective of this study is to determine if the experimental exercise program is more effective than the upper body strength and fitness program in promoting neurological improvement in participants with spinal cord injury.

Total study duration is 3.5 years, including a 24 month recruitment period, a 12-week treatment period followed by 6 month and 12 month (from baseline) follow up assessments.

Participants will be assessed by a blinded assessor (the assessor will not know which group the participants are in) using standard physiotherapy, neurophysiological, fitness and functional tests, psychological and quality of life questionnaires, as well as tests of immune function and bone structure.

Inclusion criteria

• Have sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury a minimum of 6 months prior to consent and have completed their primary rehabilitation
• Are 18 years or older and able to give informed consent
• Have a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury between C6 and T12 (as per the International Standardised Neurological Assessment for SCI)
• Are able and willing to attend an exercise program 3 times per week for 12 weeks
• Are considered by their medical consultant to be fit to undertake the exercise program (documented approval by medical consultant required).

Exclusion criteria

• Have brachial plexus, cauda equina, or peripheral nerve injury
• Have had recent major trauma or surgery within the last 6 months
• Have an existing pressure ulcer Stage 3 or 4 according to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel classification
• Are post-menopausal at time of injury (females)
• Have BMI at injury falling below lower threshold of healthy adult reference range
• Have endocrinopathy or metabolic disorders of bone, such as Paget's disease, lytic or renal bone disease and senile osteoporosis
• have medical history of exposure to medication(s) known to affect mineral ion or bone metabolism
• Have chronic systemic diseases, e.g. Hep C, HIV-AIDs
• Have significant impairment or disability, including physical, neurological or psychological impairments
• Have a history of long bone fracture, or family history of fragility fracture
• Have medical fragility, e.g. BMI falling below lower threshold of healthy adult reference range, or history of recurrent hospital readmissions.
• Have extensive fixed contractures in upper or lower limbs
• Have severe spasticity
• Have uncontrolled neuropathic pain
• Are likely to experience clinically significant autonomic dysreflexia and/or hypotension in response to electrical stimulation or prolonged upright posture
• Are unable to attend the 6-month and 12 month follow-up assessments at their treating spinal unit
• Have any contraindications to FES such as cardiac pacemaker, epilepsy, lower limb fracture or pregnancy
• Have intracranial metal implants (for TMS only)
• Have any other serious medical condition including malignancies, psychiatric, behavioural or drug-dependency problems, which are likely to influence the participant's ability to cooperate or in the opinion of the study investigator would prevent adherence to the Protocol.
• Are participating in any other therapy (including alternative therapies) or taking medications (including herbal preparations) that are not considered to be standard care as per the protocol.