Functional Electrical Stimulation During Cycling in People With Spinal Cord Injury

Neuroscience research that has identified potential for recovery (neuroplasticity) following incomplete SCI has changed clinical practice away from compensation strategies towards optimizing recovery. Important factors include: repetitive exercise, Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) and appropriate feedback. The iCycle combines repetitive exercise with FES and provides feedback on performance in a virtual cycle race. Unlike previous devices, performance in the race is determined only by voluntary effort (i.e. not torque generated by FES plus voluntary effort). In this study with incomplete SCI participants we will test the iCycle with six inpatients to refine the protocol and make technical improvements. We will then conduct an ABA pilot study (n=10) in which a 3G-connected iCycle is used in people's own homes. We will compare usual care (A) with iCycle exercise (B). Changes in neural connectivity (TMS evoked EMG potentials), muscle strength and walking will be measured as well qualitative analysis of users' views.