Patterned Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Ergometry of Arm and Shoulder in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury

A randomized, controlled, single-blinded, in-subject controlled (A-B type) trial will be
performed in patients with SCI receiving an upper extremities non-FES assisted exercise
protocol compared with patients receiving upper extremities ergometry in combination with
FES. Neurological and functional outcome measures will be obtained at baseline (time 0),
after 1st 4 months of intervention (4 months), after 1 month washout (5 months),after 2nd 4
months intervention (9 months), and 3 month after completing the last intervention (12
months).

Inclusion Criteria:

- Male, Female, age 18-55, all ethnic groups

- Spinal Cord Injury, traumatic and non-traumatic

- C1-C6 neurological level

- ASIA class A-B

- Chronic injury > 12 months and < 20 years from the injury

- No upper-extremity electrical stimulation in the previous 4 weeks

- Subjects are medically stable, with no recent (1 month or less) inpatient admission
for acute medical or surgical issues

- Baseline physical activity is kept stable

- Pain and antispasticity medications dose are kept stable

- Subjects are legally able to make their own health care decisions

Exclusion Criteria:

- Associated lower motor neuron/peripheral nerve injury in the C1-C6 levels

- Presence of pacemaker

- Presence of cancer

- History of seizures

- Women who are pregnant