Adaptive Rowing Exercise for Spinal Cord Injury

Overseen By Elizabeth Regan

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of South Carolina

Disqualifiers: Pressure wounds, Pain with rowing

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

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

15 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

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 design. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. What exercise intensity of activity do users achieve on the rower for steady state and interval rowing plans? 2. What assistance is required for setup and usage of the adaptive rower? 3. What do users think about the ease of use and what is their satisfaction with the adaptive rower? Participants will complete a one-time exercise session with two adaptive rower bouts (10-15 minutes each) with a rest period in between.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Adaptive Rowing Exercise for individuals with spinal cord injury?

Research shows that upper-body rowing exercise can improve aerobic fitness and cardiorespiratory health in people with spinal cord injury, without affecting traditional risk factors for heart disease. Additionally, similar exercises like kayak ergometer training have improved motor performance and functional abilities in wheelchair users. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is adaptive rowing exercise safe for people with spinal cord injury?

Research indicates that adaptive rowing exercise is generally safe for people with spinal cord injury, as studies report no shoulder pain or other problems during training, and participants had positive experiences. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

How does adaptive rowing exercise differ from other treatments for spinal cord injury?

Adaptive rowing exercise is unique because it uses an upper body rowing ergometer that can be adapted for wheelchair users, providing a way to improve aerobic fitness without affecting traditional cardiometabolic risk factors. Unlike standard fitness equipment, this treatment is specifically designed to be accessible and effective for individuals with spinal cord injuries. ^{1 2 3 4 7}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals who use a wheelchair due to spinal cord injury and can perform the rowing motion with their arms. They must have sufficient grip strength (with or without assist straps) and be cleared to exercise by a questionnaire or physician. People with current pressure wounds or pain during rowing cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

I can hold onto a rower handle, with or without help from straps.

Are cleared to exercise through the electronic physical readiness questionnaire or physician release

I can perform the rowing motion with my arms.

Exclusion Criteria

I experience pain when I make a rowing motion.

I currently have pressure sores.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Orientation and Training

Participants receive an orientation to the rowing machine and training in proper rowing technique and use of the rate of perceived exertion scale.

1 visit

1 visit (in-person)

Exercise Intervention

Participants complete a one-time exercise session with two adaptive rower bouts, including steady state and interval rowing plans.

1 session

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any discomfort or pain two days post intervention.

2 days

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Adaptive Rowing Exercise

Trial Overview The study tests an adaptive rower designed for people with spinal cord injuries. It evaluates how intense the workout is, what help they need to set up and use it, and their satisfaction levels. Participants will do two short exercise sessions on this equipment.

Participant Groups

Group I: Single Group Intervention Arm Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Exercise intervention with adaptive rower

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of South Carolina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

233

Recruited

122,000+

Foundation for Physical Therapy, Inc.

Industry Sponsor

Trials

14

Recruited

510+

Findings from Research

The upper body rowing ergometer (UBRE) was validated for use in manual wheelchair users, showing comparable results to a standard arm cycle ergometer (ACE) during graded exercise tests.

After a 12-week intervention, participants using the UBRE increased their peak exercise power and duration, suggesting that rowing exercises may enhance shoulder muscle balance and reduce the risk of shoulder injuries, which are common in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An exercise trial targeting posterior shoulder strength in manual wheelchair users: pilot results and lessons learned. Troy, KL., Munce, TA., Longworth, JA.[2015]

A 12-week upper-body rowing exercise program significantly improved aerobic fitness in individuals with spinal cord injury, with participants maintaining these fitness gains at a 6-month follow-up.

The improvements in peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) and power output (POpeak) were sustained over the 6-month period, indicating the long-term benefits of this exercise intervention, while traditional cardiometabolic risk factors showed no significant changes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of upper-body ergometer rowing exercise on aerobic fitness and cardiometabolic disease risk in individuals with spinal cord injury: A 6-month follow-up study. Hansen, RK., Laessoe, U., Samani, A., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 10 individuals with thoracic spinal cord injury, 30 sessions of kayak ergometer training over 10 weeks led to significant improvements in various functional tests, including a 14% increase in sit-and-reach distance and a 10% improvement in bench transfers.

The training was safe, with no reported shoulder pain or other issues, and participants expressed positive experiences, suggesting that kayak ergometer training is a beneficial activity for enhancing mobility in individuals with spinal cord injuries.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of kayak ergometer training on motor performance in paraplegics. Bjerkefors, A., Thorstensson, A.[2022]

Wheelchair users find exercise important for improving their physical and mental health, but face barriers due to a lack of accessible equipment; both the adaptive rowing ergometer (aROW) and arm crank ergometer (ACE) were found to be highly usable.

The aROW was perceived as more enjoyable and effective for cardiovascular exercise compared to the ACE, suggesting that its implementation in community gyms could enhance exercise participation and promote inclusion for wheelchair users.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring exercise participation and the usability of the adaptive rower and arm crank ergometer through wheelchair users' perspectives. Wong, RN., Stewart, AL., Sawatzky, B., et al.[2022]

Upper-body rowing exercise for 12 weeks significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness in individuals with spinal cord injury, as indicated by an increase in peak oxygen uptake from 15.1 to 17.5 mL/kg/min.

The exercise also led to an increase in resting brachial artery diameter, suggesting improved vascular health, although it had only modest effects on traditional cardiometabolic risk factors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rowing exercise increases cardiorespiratory fitness and brachial artery diameter but not traditional cardiometabolic risk factors in spinal cord-injured humans. Hansen, RK., Samani, A., Laessoe, U., et al.[2023]

A 12-week progressive functional electric stimulation (FES) rowing training program significantly improved peak functional aerobic power in individuals with spinal cord injury, with peak oxygen consumption increasing by 11.2% and rowing distance by 25%.

The ROWSTIM II device was found to be safe and well-accepted by participants, demonstrating that FES-assisted rowing is an effective training method for enhancing aerobic capacity in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Functional electric stimulation-assisted rowing: Increasing cardiovascular fitness through functional electric stimulation rowing training in persons with spinal cord injury. Wheeler, GD., Andrews, B., Lederer, R., et al.[2019]

The adapted rower (aROW) and adapted skier (aSKI) machines were found to be highly usable and effective for providing cardiovascular workouts for wheelchair users, based on feedback from six participants who trialed the equipment.

While both machines were similarly rated for usability, participants reported more setup challenges with the aROW, and preferred instructional videos over written materials, indicating areas for improvement in user support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Accessible exercise for wheelchair users: comparing the usability of two adapted exercise machines. Anderson, E., Baker, A., Borisoff, J., et al.[2023]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An exercise trial targeting posterior shoulder strength in manual wheelchair users: pilot results and lessons learned. [2015]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of upper-body ergometer rowing exercise on aerobic fitness and cardiometabolic disease risk in individuals with spinal cord injury: A 6-month follow-up study. [2023]

3. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of kayak ergometer training on motor performance in paraplegics. [2022]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring exercise participation and the usability of the adaptive rower and arm crank ergometer through wheelchair users' perspectives. [2022]

5. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rowing exercise increases cardiorespiratory fitness and brachial artery diameter but not traditional cardiometabolic risk factors in spinal cord-injured humans. [2023]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Functional electric stimulation-assisted rowing: Increasing cardiovascular fitness through functional electric stimulation rowing training in persons with spinal cord injury. [2019]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Accessible exercise for wheelchair users: comparing the usability of two adapted exercise machines. [2023]