Increases in bone mineral density after functional electrical stimulation cycling exercises in spinal cord injured patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the change in bone mineral density (BMD) after spinal cord injury (SCI) and to evaluate whether BMD loss can be reversed with the intervention of functional electric stimulation cycling exercises (FESCE).


METHODS
Fifteen males with SCI were included. Fifteen able-bodied males were also tested to compare BMD. In the SCI group, the FESCE was performed for six months, and then was discontinued in the subsequent six months. BMD was performed before the FESCE, immediately after six months of the FESCE, and at the end of the subsequent six months.


RESULTS
Before the FESCE, the BMD of the SCI subjects in every site, except the lumbar spine, was lower than that of the able-bodied subjects. After six months of FESCE, BMD of the distal femur (DF) and proximal tibia (PT) increased significantly, and BMD of the calcaneus (heel) showed a trend of increase. However, the BMD in the DF, PT, and heel decreased significantly after the subsequent six months without FESCE. The BMD of the femoral neck (FN) decreased progressively throughout the programme.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed site-specific BMD changes after FESCE. The BMD loss in the DF and PT was partially reversed after six months of FESCE, but the effect faded once the exercise was discontinued.
Chen
Shih-Ching
SC
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei Medical University and Hospital, No. 252 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. csc@tmu.edu.tw
Lai
Chien-Hung
CH
Chan
Wing P
WP
Huang
Mao-Hsiung
MH
Tsai
Hsing-Wen
HW
Chen
Jia-Jin J
JJ
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D050281:Bones of Lower Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome