Effects of Vibration Exercise

STUDY BASICS

Do you use a wheelchair full-time? Are you an adult with a spinal cord injury at T2 or lower? Or do you have a neurological impairment from a spinal cord injury/disease at T2 or lower? You may be able to take part in a research study to find out if vibration dumbbell resistance training can improve upper limb strength, function, and pain in wheelchair users with paraplegia. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

For people with paraplegia (lower limb paralysis) who use a wheelchair, strong upper limbs are essential for wheelchair propulsion, wheelchair transfer activities, and weight relieving maneuvers. Unfortunately, over time these activities can result in pain and injury to the shoulders, elbows, and wrists. One way that people with paraplegia can improve muscle strength and minimize the risk of injury/pain is by doing upper limb resistance training exercises. Studies have shown that adding vibration to resistance training exercises may help build muscle strength and power more quickly. Recently, vibrating dumbbells that target the upper limbs have been developed. The purpose of this study is to find out if vibrating dumbbell resistance training can improve upper limb strength, function, and pain among manual wheelchair users with paraplegia.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 18-65
• Spinal cord injury at T2 or lower and/or neurological impairment from a spinal cord injury or disease at T2 or lower
• Injury happened at least six months ago
• Full-time manual wheelchair user (greater than 30 hours per week)
• Normal range of motion in your upper limbs
• Able to independently transfer
• Live within 1 hour of the Human Engineering Laboratory in Bakery Square (East Liberty, Pittsburgh)
• Willing and able to provide a signed medical release from your primary care physician to engage in a high intensity exercise program before starting the study

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation lasts 12 weeks, and involves 4 visits to the lab and 3 in-home training sessions per week. During the lab visits, you will complete measures of strength, pain, health, function, transfer ability, and wheelchair propulsion characteristics.