Grant: CIHR Fellowship

Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts many aspects of life, including the loss of involuntary control of bodily (i.e. cardiovascular, bladder/urinary tract, bowel and sexual) functions, which are crucial priorities for recovery in this population. Secondary health complications limit an individual's ability to exercise, a behaviour known to have multiple functional and health benefits. This study will test whether exercise, using a robotic walking suit, can change the strength of the signals from the brain that regulate important involuntary bodily functions, especially blood pressure control, and sexual health and activity. We aim to see whether these improvements in health and function can be increased with the addition of non-invasive (external) electrical stimulation of the spinal cord, which uses electrodes placed on top of the skin. This therapy has been shown to re-awaken sleeping spinal circuits. Training will occur for three sessions per week, for twelve weeks, in 12 individuals with SCI. We predict that exercise combined with spinal cord stimulation may improve blood pressure control and sexual function more than just exercise alone. The wider SCI community will benefit from the outcomes of the project, as the results will 1) advance health care to serve the priorities of individuals with SCI who rank involuntary bodily function control among their top health concerns and 2) increase quality of life for people with SCI. The results of this trial will also help us to understand the factors related to and reasons behind increased cardiovascular risks for people with SCI and in turn, guide rehabilitation strategies to reduce these health risks.