Impact of different forms of activity-based recovery training on bladder, bowel and sexual function following spinal cord injury

This study investigates whether the benefits of locomotor training (LT) on bladder, bowel, and sexual function after spinal cord injury (SCI) are due to weight-bearing or exercise in general. The study compared stand training (weight-bearing) and arm crank ergometry (non-weight-bearing exercise) to previously published locomotor training data. The results suggest that exercise in general may contribute to the lowering of bladder pressure, but task-specific stepping is required to maximize benefits for bladder and bowel function.

• 1
  Stand training alone did not improve pelvic organ functions after spinal cord injury.
• 2
  Non-weight bearing exercise (arm crank ergometry) showed a significant decrease in bladder pressure and limited improvement in compliance.
• 3
  Questionnaires revealed profound bowel dysfunction and marked deficits in sexual function pre-training, with no significant differences post-training for either stand or arm crank exercise.