Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
3452183 Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2009 10 Pages PDF
Abstract

Johnston TE, Smith BT, Mulcahey MJ, Betz RR, Lauer RT. A randomized controlled trial on the effects of cycling with and without electrical stimulation on cardiorespiratory and vascular health in children with spinal cord injury.ObjectiveTo examine the cardiorespiratory/vascular effects of cycling with and without functional electrical stimulation (FES) in children with spinal cord injury (SCI).DesignRandomized controlled trial.SettingPediatric referral hospital.ParticipantsChildren with SCI (N=30), ages 5 to 13 years, with injury levels from C4 to T11, and American Spinal Injury Association grades A, B, or C.InterventionsChildren were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: FES leg cycling exercise, passive leg cycling, or noncycling control group receiving electrical stimulation therapy. After receiving instruction on the use of the equipment, children exercised for 1 hour 3 times per week for 6 months at home with parental supervision.Main Outcome MeasuresOxygen uptake (V̇o2) during an incremental arm ergometry test, resting heart rate, forced vital capacity, and a fasting lipid profile.ResultsThere were no differences (P>.05) between groups after 6 months of exercise when comparing pre- and postvalues. However, there were differences between groups for some variables when examining percent change. The FES cycling group showed an improvement (P=.035) in V̇o2 (16.2%±25.0%) as compared with the passive cycling group (–28.7%±29.1%). For lipid levels, the electrical stimulation–only group showed declines (P=.032) in cholesterol levels (–17.1%±8.5%) as compared with the FES cycling group (4.4%±20.4%).ConclusionsCycling with FES led to gains in V̇o2, whereas electrical stimulation alone led to improvements in cholesterol.

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