Effects of Hybrid-Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Rowing Whole-Body Exercise on Neurologic Improvement in Subacute Spinal Cord Injury: Secondary Outcomes Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

STUDY DESIGN: Secondary outcome measures analysis of a randomized, controlled study. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of hybrid-functional electrical stimulation (FES) rowing on motor and sensory recovery in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) 6–18 months post-injury. SETTING: Outpatient rehabilitation network. METHODS: 25 participants 6–12 months after SCI were randomly assigned to hybrid-FES rowing (n=10) or standard of care (n=15) groups. The hybrid-FES rowing group completed 6 months of rowing scheduled 3 times per week for 26 weeks at an exercise intensity of 70–85% of maximal heart rate. The standard of care group either participated in an arm ergometer exercise program (n=6) or a waitlist without an explicit exercise program (n=9). Changes in motor score and combined sensory score of the International Standards for Neurological Classification of SCI (ISNCSCI) were analyzed. RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated increases in motor and combined sensory scores, but no significant differences were noted between intervention groups (motor difference mean ↑1.3 (95% CI, −1.9 to 4.4), combined sensory difference mean ↓10 (−30 to 18)). There was an average of 63% adherence to the hybrid-FES rowing protocol, with no significant correlation in changes in motor or combined sensory score in the hybrid-FES rowing group with total distance or time rowed. CONCLUSIONS: No significant effects to neurologic improvement were found with hybrid-FES rowing when compared with standard of care interventions in individuals with SCI 6–18 months post-injury.