An Exercise Intervention to Reduce Neuropathic Pain and Brain Inflammation After Spinal Cord Injury

About this trial

This trial is enrolling 13 individuals with sub-acute spinal cord injury (3-24 months post injury) to test the effect of aerobic exercise (rowing) facilitated by functional electric stimulation (FES) on neuropathic pain. FES is a technique to use skin-surface electrodes to activate paralyzed muscles. If included, participants will either receive: a) 12 weeks of FES-rowing training followed by 12 weeks of standard of care; or b) 12 weeks of standard of care followed by 12 weeks of FES-rowing training. Final testing for changes in pain, brain structure, and brain inflammation will be performed after 12 weeks.