Blood Flow-restricted Resistance Exercise to Promote Muscle Strength and Use in Adults With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Recovery of arm and hand motor control is critical for independence and quality of life following incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). Blood flow-restricted resistance exercise (BFRE) has emerged as a potential treatment addressing this need, but treatment guidelines and research reporting effectiveness are sparse. The purpose of this work is to provide case reports of people with cervical iSCI who use BFRE supplemented by electrical stimulation (ES) to increase the strength and functional use of selected upper extremity muscles.

Inclusion Criteria: * Incomplete cervical spinal cord injury * Resting blood pressure between 80/50 mmHg and 150/90 mmHg for at least three consecutive days * Native speaker of English Exclusion Criteria: * Recent history of deep vein thrombosis or cardiovascular disease including uncontrolled hypertension or a blood-clotting disorder * Routine experience of orthostatic hypotension as defined as a drop in systolic/diastolic blood pressure greater than 20/10 mmHg when engaging in physical activity * Severe cognitive, communication, or behavioral disorder as determined by treatment team