A randomized controlled trial on the effects of cycling with and without electrical stimulation on cardiorespiratory and vascular health in children with spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the cardiorespiratory/vascular effects of cycling with and without functional electrical stimulation (FES) in children with spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Pediatric referral hospital.


METHODS
Children with SCI (N=30), ages 5 to 13 years, with injury levels from C4 to T11, and American Spinal Injury Association grades A, B, or C.


METHODS
Children were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: FES leg cycling exercise, passive leg cycling, or noncycling control group receiving electrical stimulation therapy. After receiving instruction on the use of the equipment, children exercised for 1 hour 3 times per week for 6 months at home with parental supervision.


METHODS
Oxygen uptake (Vo(2)) during an incremental arm ergometry test, resting heart rate, forced vital capacity, and a fasting lipid profile.


RESULTS
There were no differences (P>.05) between groups after 6 months of exercise when comparing pre- and postvalues. However, there were differences between groups for some variables when examining percent change. The FES cycling group showed an improvement (P=.035) in Vo(2) (16.2%+/-25.0%) as compared with the passive cycling group (-28.7%+/-29.1%). For lipid levels, the electrical stimulation-only group showed declines (P=.032) in cholesterol levels (-17.1%+/-8.5%) as compared with the FES cycling group (4.4%+/-20.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Cycling with FES led to gains in Vo(2), whereas electrical stimulation alone led to improvements in cholesterol.
Johnston
Therese E
TE
Department of Physical Therapy, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. t.johnston@usp.edu
Smith
Brian T
BT
Mulcahey
Mary J
MJ
Betz
Randal R
RR
Lauer
Richard T
RT
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology
D008055:Lipids