Effects of an Early Wheelchair Reconditionong Program on Functional Independence in Spinal Cord-inured Individuals

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne

Status: Terminated

Conditions: Spinal Cord Injuries

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01105260

0901040

2009-A00866-51 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Reconditioning program during the chronic phase of the spinal cord-injury is well known for its beneficial effects, but there is no investigation in early rehabilitation consequences. Nevertheless, it may be justified : to increase oxygen uptake; to decrease the risks of medical complications; or to improve the mobility. The restrictive autonomy is due to different factors: firstly wheelchair users reduce their movement because they need technical or human help to achieve transfers; and secondly, locomotion is performed by the upper limbs. Without specific practice, the upper limbs mechanical and physiological properties do not permit exercises that are long and intense. Then, the purpose of this research is to evaluate the effects of an 8 weeks interval training program on wheelchair independance during inpatient early rehabilitation for spinal cord injury (3 to 6 months post injury) compared to a control group (classical rehabilitation program in a physical medicine and rehabilitation department).

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) from trauma , medical or surgical pathology at levels between C7 and L1.
• Categories A or B as defined by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale
• Male or female
• 18 to 60 years old.
• No ability to walk independently with or without an assistive device
• 3 to 6 months post-SCI in early phase of rehabilitation in a physical medicine and rehabilitation unit.
• Subject affiliated to a social security regime and registered at the healthcare department
• Written informed consent obtained from each subject

Exclusion criteria

• Symptomatic syringomyelia that may complicate the evaluation procedures
• Disabled pathology before the SCI
• Cardiopulmonary disease, degenerative disorders, upper limb disorders, bones inury or other significant medical complications that would prohibit or alter compliance with a wheelchair training protocol.
• Psychological incapacity to follow a training protocol during 8 weeks.
• Surgery or intrathecal injection planned.
• Reject to give written informed consent.

Trial design

20 participants in 2 patient groups

control

Description:

group with classical rehabilitation program

training

Description:

group with an 8 weeks interval training program on wheelchair independence