FES-rowing in tetraplegia: a preliminary report

Study design:A training intervention study using functional electrical stimulation-rowing (FES-R) in a group of eight individuals with tetraplegia.Objectives:To assess the feasibility of a structured progressive FES-R training programme in people with tetraplegia, and to explore the number and type of FES-training sessions required to enable continuous FES-R for 30 min.Setting:A fully integrated sports centre, elite rowing training centre and university sport science department.Methods:Eight participants with chronic complete and incomplete tetraplegia (C4 to C7, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A, B and C) who had not previously used any form of FES-assisted exercise, participated in the study. Participants completed a progressive FES-assisted training programme building to three continuous 30-min FES-R sessions per week at 60–80% of their predetermined peak power output. Thereafter, rowing performance was monitored for 12 months. Main outcome measures: number and type of FES-training sessions required before achieving 30-min continuous FES-R, and FES-R average power output (POav) pre and post 12 months training. Participant feedback of perceived benefits was also documented.Results:All participants were able to continuously FES-row for 30 min after completing 13±7 FES-R training sessions. Each individual POav during 30 min FES-R increased over 12 months FES-training. FES-R was found safe and well tolerated in this group of individuals with tetraplegia.Conclusion:Individuals with tetraplegia are able to engage in a progressive programme of FES-R training. Future research examining FES-R training as an adjunctive therapy in people with tetraplegia is warranted.