Intensive exercise program after spinal cord injury (“Full-On”): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

This study investigates whether a 12-week intensive exercise program for the whole body is more effective than an upper body exercise program in improving neurological recovery after spinal cord injury. The experimental group will receive locomotor training, trunk exercises, and functional electrical stimulation-assisted cycling, while the control group will receive an intensive upper body exercise program. The primary goal is to measure changes in the American Spinal Injuries Association (ASIA) Motor Score, with secondary outcomes including sensation, function, pain, psychological measures, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness.

• 1
  The study aims to determine if intensive activity-based therapy is effective for patients with both complete and incomplete spinal cord lesions.
• 2
  The trial will compare a whole-body exercise program, including locomotor training and FES-assisted cycling, to an upper-body exercise program.
• 3
  The effectiveness of the interventions will be assessed through various measures including the ASIA motor score, sensory scores, leg exercise capacity, and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure.