Blood Flow Restriction Exercise for Those With SCI

Rehabilitation
General health
Online since 13 December 2022, updated 469 days ago

About this trial

This trial is enrolling individuals with chronic spinal cord injuries to test the effect of a blood flow restriction exercise (BFR) on muscle and vascular function. BFR involves inflating a cuff around the thigh to modify blood flow. Investigators want to see if the exercise improves muscle strength and/or vascular function. If included, one group of participants will undergo an 8-week training period (20 sessions of knee exercises) with BFR. A second group will get 8 weeks, 20 sessions of traditional knee extension/flexion resistance exercise. The two groups will then switch treatments (crossover). A series of measurements will be performed before and after the training periods to assess muscle and vascular function.

Included participants

Gender
All
Age
18 - 70 years
Injury level
C3 - L1
  • Severity (AIS)?
  • AIS-C
    AIS-D
    Time since injury
    ≥ 1 year
  • Injury type
  • Traumatic

    Healthy volunteers
    No
    C3-L1
    Additionally, participants must
    NOT have a systemic disease (e.g., heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes, renal failure)

    What’s involved

    Type

    Rehabilitation

    Details

    - Participants partake in an 8-week training period (20 sessions of knee exercises) with BFR followed by or preceding an 8-week training period (20 sessions) without BFR. - A series of measurements (i.e, muscle strength, vascular function, muscle CT scans, blood samples) will be performed before and after the training periods.

    Potential benefits

    Main benefits

    General health

    Additional benefits

    Standing/walking/mobility

    Good to know: Potential benefits are defined as outcomes that are being measured during and/or after the trial.

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more

    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting
    • Trial start date
    • 1 Jul 2021
    • Organisation
    • VA Office of Research and Development
    • Trial recruitment status
    • Recruiting
    • Trial start date
    • 1 Jul 2021
    • Organisation
    • VA Office of Research and Development

    Wings for Life supports SCITrialsFinder

    Wings for Life has proudly initiated, led and funded the new version of the SCI Trials Finder website. Wings for Life aims to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The not-for-profit foundation funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe.

    Learn more