Effects of a fifty-six month electrical stimulation cycling program after tetraplegia: case report

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2017 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2016.1234750 · Published: July 1, 2017

Simple Explanation

This case report examines the long-term effects of home-based functional electrical stimulation cycling (FES-LEC) on body composition in an individual with tetraplegia. The participant, a 52.7-year-old male with a C4 spinal cord injury, underwent a 56-month FES-LEC program, cycling three times a week. The study found an increase in lean mass and a relatively small increase in fat mass, suggesting potential cardio-metabolic benefits from long-term FES-LEC.

Study Duration

56 Months

Participants

1 Adult male with chronic C4 spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Level 4: Case Report

Key Findings

1
Total body lean mass increased by 18.5% over the 56 months of FES-LEC.
2
Leg lean mass increased by 10.9% following the FES-LEC program.
3
Bone mineral content was essentially maintained during the 56-month study period.

Research Summary

This case report investigated the effects of a 56-month home-based FES-LEC program on the body composition of an adult male with chronic tetraplegia. The participant showed an increase in total body lean mass and a relatively small increase in fat mass, along with maintained bone mineral content. The authors conclude that while a causal relationship cannot be established due to the single-subject design, FES-LEC appears to have resulted in cardio-metabolic protective body composition changes for this individual.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategy

Long-term home-based FES-LEC can be a viable rehabilitation strategy for individuals with tetraplegia to improve body composition.

Muscle Mass Maintenance

FES-LEC can help maintain or increase muscle mass in paralyzed limbs, potentially mitigating the adverse effects of sedentary behavior.

Bone Health

FES-LEC may contribute to the maintenance of bone mineral density in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Study Limitations

1
Single subject case report limits generalizability to the broader population of adults with tetraplegia.
2
The results demonstrate changes specific to this individual after 56 months of FES-LEC, not a causal relationship.
3
Not specified

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