Home-Based Shoulder Strength Training to Support Long-Term Health and Function in Manual Wheelchair Users with Spinal Cord Injury

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how home-based shoulder strength training affects shoulder health in people who use manual wheelchairs due to recent spinal cord injuries in the thoracic or lumbar spine. The study aims to find out if starting the training 3 months versus 12 months after discharge from primary rehabilitation makes a difference. This research focuses on preventing shoulder pain and improving shoulder function to support long-term health and independence. Participants will follow a personalized home-based strength training program consisting of six exercises performed twice a week for 12 weeks. The training starts either 3 months or 12 months after discharge from rehabilitation, with participants randomly assigned to one of these two groups. This setup allows comparison of early versus late intervention effects on shoulder health. Throughout the 15-month study, participants undergo six evaluations every three months, including questionnaires on independence, participation, quality of life, and physical activity. Assessments also measure shoulder strength, range of motion, and function. Wheelchair use is tracked for one week at each timepoint using sensors on the wheelchair and wrist, followed by a questionnaire about shoulder pain. Additionally, four MRI scans of the shoulder are performed to evaluate shoulder condition, muscle volume, and quality. These measures help researchers understand the relationship between daily shoulder load and rehabilitation preparation.

Shoulder Health After Rehabilitation and Performance Training