Cardiorespiratory Fitness Training in Patients With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury (FIT@HOME)

Personalized Cardiorespiratory Fitness Training in Patients With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury During Primary Rehabilitation

The goal of this exploratory randomized controlled trial is to assess the effect of a personalized training intervention during primary rehabilitation of 6 weeks on cardiorespiratory fitness in individuals with subacute (<6 months) spinal cord injury during primary rehabilitation and during follow-up. Secondary outcomes include the effect on gait assessments, pulmonary function, neurological status, muscle force, cardiometabolic risk factors, quality of life, functional independence and self-efficacy.

Participants in the intervention group will receive 2-3 personalized cardiorespiratory fitness-focused training sessions per week, for a period of 6 weeks. Participants in the control group will receive usual care.

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: Exercise Training; Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) training

Detailed Description

Rationale:

Despite advances in medical care, spinal cord injury (SCI) patients have significantly lower survival rates compared to the general population. The 'Koepelproject', an unique world-leading multi-center research project, discovered that SCI patients have a decreased pulmonary function, which is linked to poor cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). This leads to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, which are important predictors of death in SCI patients. However, there are limitations of the 'Koepelproject' which highlight the need for the proposed project 'FIT@HOME'. Rehabilitation knowledge in SCI patients is primarily focused on those with a complete lesion, while there has been changes in the characteristics of the SCI population over the last few decades. The diagnosis of an incomplete SCI (iSCI) is more common and requires different insights and skills compared to patients with complete lesions. Therefore, insight in the effect of personalized rehabilitation strategies focussed on CRF during primary rehabilitation will provide important information to support healthy ageing in iSCI patients.

Objective:

The primary aim of this study is to assess the effect of a personalized training intervention on CRF during primary rehabilitation and at follow-up. Secondary aims of this study are to determine the effect of this training intervention on gait capacity, pulmonary function, neurological status, muscle force, cardiometabolic risk factors, quality of life (QoL), functional independence and exercise self-efficacy.

Study design:

The proposed study design is an explorative randomized controlled trial.

Study population:

This study will include 32 iSCI patients classified with an American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) C or D in the subacute phase (< 6 months post injury), who are referred for a primary, inpatient rehabilitation program at the Sint Maartenskliniek.

Intervention:

The intervention includes 2-3 personalized CRF-focused training sessions per week. The control group receives usual care.

Main study parameters/endpoints:

The primary endpoint is the change in CRF (expressed as VO2peak) after the 6-weeks intervention period and at follow-up.

Secondary outcomes are gait assessments, pulmonary function, neurological status, muscle force, cardiometabolic risk factors, secondary complications, quality of life, functional independence and exercise self-efficacy.

Measurements will be performed at:

T0 - Baseline

T1 - Following the 6-weeks intervention period during the primary rehabilitation program at the Sint Maartenskliniek

T2* - At discharge from the primary rehabilitation program at the Sint Maartenskliniek (only if the period following T1 is more than 2 weeks)

T3 - After 2 weeks in the outpatient rehabilitation program at the Sint Maartenskliniek

T4 - At discharge from the outpatient rehabilitation program at the Sint Maartenskliniek

T5 - 2 weeks following discharge from the outpatient rehabilitation program at the Sint Maartenskliniek (2 weeks after T4)

T6 - 3 months following discharge from the outpatient rehabilitation program at the Sint Maartenskliniek (3 months after T4, 2.5 months after T5)

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 19
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Netherlands
  • Ubbergen, Netherlands, 6574 NA
    • Sint Maartenskliniek

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of incomplete spinal cord injury based on a stable cause (e.g. traumatic)
• Spinal cord injury classification C or D on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale
• During this study in the subacute phase (< 6 months post injury)
• Hospitalized in the Sint Maartenskliniek for a primary, inpatient rehabilitation program
• Older than 18 years of age
• Able to understand and perform study related procedures
• Capable to sit at least 3 times a day for 2 hours (prerequisites to start the active rehabilitation program)
• The ability to use an arm ergometer

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to give informed consent
• Language barrier
• Participating in another interventional study targeting cardiorespiratory fitness
• Have contraindications to perform exercise during the rehabilitation program

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control group; The control group will receive usual care.
Experimental: Intervention group; During the primary rehabilitation program, the intervention group will receive 2-3 individualized cardiorespiratory fitness training sessions per week.	Other: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) training; The CRF training will take place on an arm cycle ergometer, or on an recumbent cross trainer. The duration and intensity of these 2 CRF gait training sessions will be determined by scientific exercise guidelines. A practical way of increasing vigorous-intensity exercise is high-intensity interval training (HIIT). The HIIT intervention consist of 2-3 trainings per week, with each exercise session including a 5-minute warm-up, 30-second interval periods (with a power output up to 90% of the peak power output (PPO)), and 30-second recovery periods. There are 5 minutes of 50% of PPO between interval periods. The number of interval periods increases during the intervention period, resulting in a maximum total training time of 35 minutes.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in cardiorespiratory fitness	Defined as VO2peak in ml/kg/min	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Gait assessments - Walking ability	Measured by Walking Index of Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI II), which is an ordinal scale (0-20) consisting of 21 items reflecting various levels of walking ability, taking into account the use of assistive devices, orthotic devices and physical assistance.	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), 2 weeks after T2 (T3), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 2 weeks after T4 (T5), 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Gait assessments - Gait capacity	Measured by the self-paced 2-Minute-Walk-Test (2MWT). Participants will be instructed to walk as far as possible at a comfortable walking speed in two minutes. The total distance walked in meters will be recorded. Furthermore, participants will be fitted with a facemask that will allow for the collection of respiratory gasses. Oxygen uptake and heart rate will be measured during the 2MWT (walking efficiency).	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), 2 weeks after T2 (T3), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 2 weeks after T4 (T5), 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Gait assessments - Gait performance	Daily life gait performance is measured by inertial measurements units (IMU), determining spatiotemporal parameters. Furthermore, the Activ8 activity monitor will be used.	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), 2 weeks after T2 (T3), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 2 weeks after T4 (T5), 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Pulmonary function - Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)	Measured by simple spirometry and defined as the total volume of air that a person can forcibly exhale during a maximal expiratory effort in liters.	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Pulmonary function - Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)	Measured by simple spirometry and defined as the volume expired in the first second of the FVC maneuver in liters.	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Pulmonary function - Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)	Measured by simple spirometry and defined as the maximal expiratory flow rate achieved during the FVC maneuver and is defined in liters/minute.	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Neurological status	Measured by the ASIA impairment scale will be used for both a motor and sensory examination. The ASIA impairment scale consists of a 5-point ordinal scale, which classifies individuals from "A" (complete SCI) to "E" (normal sensory and motor function).	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Muscle force - Grip force	Measured by handgrip strength of the dominant hand. This will be assessed with a hydraulic, analogue hand dynamometer adjusted to the hand size of every participant.	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Muscle force - Voluntary muscle strength	Voluntary muscle strength of 5 key muscles of both lower extremities and key muscles of both upper extremities in accordance with standard neurological assessment (ASIA). A six-point scale is used for scoring with 0 being total paralysis and 5 is normal active moment, full range of motion against gravity and expected from an unimpaired person.Upper extremity muscle strength will also be measured using a handheld dynamometer (HHD).	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Cardiometabolic risk factors - Waist circumference (cm)	Measured in a standing position across the belly button during the exhale.	Baseline (T0) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Cardiometabolic risk factors - Skinfold thickness	Measured by a skinfold calliper and will be performed according to the American College of Sports Medicine standard description of skinfold measurements.	Baseline (T0) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Cardiometabolic risk factors - Blood pressure	Descriptive outcome measure in mmHg	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Cardiometabolic risk factors - Heart rate	Descriptive outcome measure in beats per minute	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Cardiometabolic risk factors - Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C)	Measured by a venous blood sample when participants have been sober for 4 hours	Baseline (T0) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Cardiometabolic risk factors - High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C)	Measured by a venous blood sample when participants have been sober for 4 hours	Baseline (T0) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Cardiometabolic risk factors - Total Cholesterol (TC)	Measured by a venous blood sample when participants have been sober for 4 hours	Baseline (T0) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Cardiometabolic risk factors - Fasted insulin	Measured by a venous blood sample when participants have been sober for 4 hours	Baseline (T0) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Cardiometabolic risk factors - Fasted glucose	Measured by a venous blood sample when participants have been sober for 4 hours	Baseline (T0) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Secondary complications - Urinary and bowel dysfunction	Descriptive outcome measure	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Secondary complications - Level of pain experienced during the last week	Measured by the visual analog scale (VAS). The VAS is an unidimensional measure, containing a straight horizontal line of 100 mm. Furthermore, pain will be classified according to the type of pain (neuropathic or nociceptive (musculoskeletal / visceral / other).	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Secondary complications - Shoulder pain	Measured by the pain subscale of the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) questionnaire. The subscale consists of five items on the numerical rating scale from 0 to 10, with a higher value indicating more disability.	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1)
Secondary complications - Level of fatigue experienced during the last week	Measured by the visual analog scale (VAS). The VAS is an unidimensional measure, containing a straight horizontal line of 100 mm.	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Secondary complications - Pressure sores	Descriptive outcome measure including location, severity and duration	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Secondary complications - Spasticity	Measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). The MAS is a scale of perceived resistance (tone) against passive movement of the limb and is the most widely used scale in the clinical setting. MAS assigns a grade of spasticity from a 0-4 ordinal scale, where lower scores represent normal muscle tone and higher scores represent spasticity.	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Secondary complications - Number of respiratory and cardiovascular complications	Descriptive outcome measure	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Secondary complications - Number of rehospitalizations	Descriptive outcome measure	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Quality of Life (QoL)	Measured by the Quality of Life Basic Data Set Version 2.0 (QoL-BDS V2.0). This questionnaire includes four items on the individual's satisfaction with their life as a whole, their physical health, mental health, and social life. All items use a 0-10 numerical rating scale with higher scores indicating better QoL.	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), 2 weeks after T2 (T3), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 2 weeks after T4 (T5), 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Functional independence	Measured by the Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM III). This questionnaire includes three specific areas of function: selfcare, respiration and sphincter management and a patient's mobility abilities. Each subscale score is evaluated within the 100-point scale, where a score of 0 defines total dependence and a score of 100 is indicative of complete independence.	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), 2 weeks after T2 (T3), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 2 weeks after T4 (T5), 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Exercise self-efficacy	Measured by the exercise self-efficacy scale (ESES). The ESES consists of 10 items about level of self-confidence with regard to performing regular physical activities and exercise.	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), 2 weeks after T2 (T3), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 2 weeks after T4 (T5), 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Age (years)	Descriptive outcome measure	Baseline (T0)
Sex (male / female)	Descriptive outcome measure	Baseline (T0)
Height (cm)	Descriptive outcome measure	Baseline (T0)
Weight (kg)	Descriptive outcome measure	Baseline (T0)
Body Mass Index (kg/m^2)	Descriptive outcome measure	Baseline (T0)
Nationality	Descriptive outcome measure	Baseline (T0)
Medical history	Descriptive outcome measure	Baseline (T0)
Time since spinal cord injury (days)	Descriptive outcome measure	Baseline (T0)
Cause of spinal cord injury (traumatic / non-traumatic)	Descriptive outcome measure	Baseline (T0)
Level of spinal cord injury	The level of injury for a person with SCI is the lowest point on the spinal cord below which sensory feeling and motor movement diminish or disappear. The level is denoted by the letter-and-number name of the vertebra at the injury site (such as C3, T2, or L4).	Baseline (T0)
Medication use	Medication that could influence outcome measures (e.g. beta-blockers, antihypertensives, statins).	Baseline (T0), 6 weeks after T0 (T1), end of inpatient rehab (T2)* (average 3 months after T0), end of outpatient rehab (T4) (average 3 months after T2) , 3 months after end of outpatient rehab (T6)
Smoking history	Descriptive outcome measure	Baseline (T0)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Sint Maartenskliniek
• Collaborators: Radboud University Medical Center
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Ilse van Nes, Dr., Sint Maartenskliniek

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 11, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 28, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): August 19, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 18, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 5, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): February 14, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 16, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 13, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Trauma, Nervous System; Spinal Cord Diseases; Wounds and Injuries; Spinal Cord Injuries; Hormones; Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists; Pituitary Hormone-Releasing Hormones; Hypothalamic Hormones; Peptide Hormones; Neuropeptides; Peptides; Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Proteins; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Population Characteristics; Health; Physical Fitness; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Cardiorespiratory Fitness
• Other Study ID Numbers: 1045; NL81465.091.22 (Other Identifier: CCMO)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No