An interventional study of [LO-LONG] and [HI-SHORT in Spinal Cord Injury, sponsored by Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil. Recruiting at 1 site in Switzerland. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-11-26.
Sponsored by Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The aim of this study is to investigate two different modalities of functional electrical stimulation (FES) leg exercise in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). The primary outcomes being compared are 1. FES-induced leg aerobic fitness, and 2. FES-induced leg strength. There will be two FES-leg training groups, and sub-acute patients with SCI will be randomised between the groups - high-short [HI-SHORT] and low-long [LO-LONG]. Both groups (n=10 per group) will exercise on the Hasomed RehaStim™ exercise ergometer for 6-8 weeks, three-four times per week (24 therapy sessions). [HI-SHORT] will perform 10 x 2-min of high-intensity interval training with a recovery of 1-2 min between exercise bouts. [LO-LONG] will perform 20+ min of continuous exercise at a low-moderate exercise intensity. Exercise intensity for [HI-SHORT] and [LO-LONG] will be titrated by neuromuscular stimulation characteristics. The primary outcomes will be assessed before training commences and after 6-8 weeks of training has been completed.
Exclusion Criteria:
High-intensity interval training modality of exercise using FES-evoked leg cycling. Three-four times weekly over 6-8 weeks (24 therapy sessions). The programme is 10 x 2-min exercise intervals with 1-2 min of recovery between intervals. High intensity is achieved by high FES current amplitude (120-150 milliampere, patient dependent)
Other: [HI-SHORT
Low-moderate intensity continuous training modality of exercise using FES-evoked leg cycling. Three-four times weekly over 6-8 weeks (24 therapy sessions). The programme is 20+ min continuous exercise. Lower intensity is achieved by lower FES current amplitude (\< 90-100 milliampere, patient dependent)
Other: [LO-LONG]
Both interventions are different modalities of FES-evoked leg exercise, three-four times per week for 6-8 weeks (24 therapy sessions). The comparator intervention (\[LO-LONG\]) uses 20-40 min (patient state of fitness dependent) of continuous leg exercise of lower intensity.
One intervention (\[HI-SHORT\]) uses a variety of leg exercise interval training of higher intensity for 10 x 2-min intervals.
Aerobic Fitness
Change of Peak Oxygen Uptake - VO2peak (L/min)
Time frame: Day 0 to 6 weeks
Muscle Near Infrared Spectroscopy
Change of resting muscle arterial oxygen saturation (%)
Time frame: Day 0 to 6 Weeks
Strength Fitness
Change of Peak Power Output (Watts)
Time frame: Day 0 to 6 weeks
Muscle Volume
Changes of muscle volume (L)
Time frame: Day 0 to 6 weeks
Muscle Fatigue
Changes of time (sec) until muscle fatigue occurs as defined by fall of Power Output (Watts) to 20% of original value
Time frame: Day 0 to 6 weeks
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
Contact study teamGet an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil