Short- and long-­term effects of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation on autonomic cardiovascular control and arm-­crank exercise capacity in individuals with a spinal cord injury (STIMEX-­SCI): study protocol

This study investigates how non-invasive spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) affects cardiovascular health and exercise ability in people with spinal cord injuries. The researchers will explore whether TSCS can improve autonomic function and exercise performance in the short term and enhance cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic health in the long term through an 8-week exercise program. The study involves acute and longitudinal components, utilizing arm-crank exercises and various measurements to assess the impact of TSCS.

• 1
  The study will examine whether TSCS improves volitional upper-body exercise capacity in the short- and long-term.
• 2
  The application of TSCS during acute arm-crank exercise influences cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, metabolic and immune responses.
• 3
  The study will determine to what extent autonomic responses at rest and during exercise are ‘normalised’ with the application of TSCS in the spinal cord injured cohort.