Adaptive Rowing Seating for Spinal Cord Injury

(OARS Trial)

Not yet recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By John L Belew, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Disqualifiers: Acute illness, Pressure injuries, Cardiovascular disease, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new adaptive indoor rowing seat for Veterans with limited trunk stability, such as those with spinal cord injuries or certain neurological conditions. The goal is to enhance access to exercise and improve overall well-being through adaptive sports. Participants will use the new rowing seat and compare it with another adaptive seating system to determine which works better. Veterans who struggle with trunk control but can fit the rowing setup and have some leg control might be suitable for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers Veterans the chance to contribute to innovative solutions that could significantly improve their quality of life.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the study team to get a clear answer.

What prior data suggests that this adaptive indoor rowing seat is safe for Veterans with limited trunk stability?

Research has shown that adaptive rowing machines are safe for people with spinal cord injuries. One study compared adaptive rowing to other exercises and found it to be a good workout for wheelchair users. This finding suggests that the adaptive indoor rowing seat designed for Veterans is likely to be well-received. Importantly, no reports of serious negative effects have emerged from using similar equipment, making it a promising option for those with limited trunk stability. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat (AIRS V2) because it offers a novel way to support Veterans with spinal cord injuries who have limited trunk strength. Unlike traditional adaptive seating systems, AIRS V2 is designed to enhance stability and comfort during rowing, potentially improving physical activity and rehabilitation outcomes. By comparing it with the Paddle Sport adaptive seating system, researchers hope to determine if AIRS V2 provides superior support and encourages greater participation in adaptive sports, which can significantly boost physical health and overall well-being for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

What evidence suggests that these adaptive seating systems are effective for Veterans with spinal cord injuries?

Research has shown that adaptive indoor rowing benefits people with spinal cord injuries. Studies have found that this type of rowing equipment enables individuals with conditions like stroke and neurodegenerative diseases to exercise safely. Rowing in this manner boosts oxygen use, improving heart and lung health. It also engages many muscle groups, enhancing coordination and strength. Additionally, previous tests demonstrated that people find adaptive rowing equipment easy to use. This trial will compare two adaptive seating systems: the AIRS V2 and the Paddle Sport Adaptive Seating System. Overall, these findings suggest that adaptive rowing could be a good option for improving health and fitness in people with limited trunk strength. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

John M Looft, PhD

Principal Investigator

Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Veterans with conditions affecting trunk stability, such as spinal cord injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, and stroke. It aims to help those who experience social isolation and are at a higher risk of suicide by improving access to adaptive sports.

Inclusion Criteria

I have paralysis without needing a ventilator due to conditions like spinal cord injury or ALS.

Ability of body structure to fit within the limits of AIRS and the rowing system

Either volitional control of lower extremities or response/tolerance to electrical stimulation

Exclusion Criteria

Medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, or other conditions that would make the study procedures unsafe pregnancy

Inability to communicate with the study team in real time

I am a veteran without recent severe injuries or pressure sores that affect my ability to row.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Prototype Assessment and Feedback

Assess 1st prototype of Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat (AIRS V1) with Veterans and clinicians specializing in SCI/D and collect feedback.

12 months

Multiple visits for feedback collection

Prototype Testing

Test feasibility of 2nd prototype of Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat (AIRS V2) with Veterans in Cleveland and collect feedback.

12 months

Multiple visits for testing and feedback

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after testing the prototypes

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat

Trial Overview The study tests two types of seating systems: an Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat and a Paddle Sport adaptive seating system. The goal is to enhance full-body exercise participation for Veterans with limited trunk stability.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Paddle Sport Adaptive Seating System Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The (Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat) AIRS V2 will be used within an established adaptive rowing protocol for Veterans with limited trunk strength and compared with the Paddle Sport adaptive seating system.

Group II: AIRS V2 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The (Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat) AIRS V2 will be used within an established adaptive rowing protocol for Veterans with limited trunk strength and compared with the Paddle Sport adaptive seating system.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+

Louis Stokes VA Medical Center

Collaborator

Trials

21

Recruited

4,100+

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-spinal-cord-diseases-6-2026-30913

Adaptive Rowing Seating for Spinal Cord Injury (OARS Trial) ... Adaptive Indoor Rowing Seat will have tolerable side effects & efficacy for patients with Stroke, Dorsal Column Myelopathy, Neurodegenerative Diseases ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05959837

Usability of the Adapted Rower for People With Spinal ... The goal of this clinical trial is to examine usability of a locally built adaptive rower for people with spinal cord injury using an established and tested ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8810340/

Acute physiological comparison of sub-maximal exercise ... The objective of this study was to assess the oxygen uptake during exercise using the Adapted ROWing machine (AROW) compared to the more commonly used Arm ...

4. nature.com nature.com/articles/sc2014159

FES-rowing in tetraplegia: a preliminary report | Spinal Cord A training intervention study using functional electrical stimulation-rowing (FES-R) in a group of eight individuals with tetraplegia.

5. centerwatch.com centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/NCT05959837/usability-of-the-adapted-rower-for-people-with-spinal-cord-injury?state=SC&city=Columbia

Usability of the Adapted Rower for People With Spinal ... The goal of this clinical trial is to examine usability of a locally built adaptive rower for people with spinal cord injury using an

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05959837

Usability of the Adapted Rower for People With Spinal ... The goal of this clinical trial is to examine usability of a locally built adaptive rower for people with spinal cord injury using an established and tested ...

7. vchri.ca vchri.ca/stories/2025/02/21/adaptive-rowing-people-spinal-cord-injury

Adaptive rowing for people with spinal cord injury The home- and gym-aROW machines offer a heart-pounding workout and improved access to wheelchair-adapted physical exercise.

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/284374267_Kinematic_analysis_of_rowing_exercise_using_a_motor-assisted_rowing_machine_for_rowers_with_spinal_cord_injury_a_case_report

(PDF) Kinematic analysis of rowing exercise using a motor ... This paper presents the development of an FES-assisted indoor rowing exercise model designed for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). A ...