Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Effects of Corporal Suspension and Pendulum Exercises

Effect of Corporal Suspension and Pendulum Exercises on Torque, Muscle Activation, Muscle Thickness and Functionality in Patients With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an exercise program proposed by the CHORDATA® Method on the functionality, maximal isometric torque, muscle activity and muscle thickness of trunk muscles in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury.

The hypothesis is that the CHORDATA® Method could reduce the deleterious effects of the traumatic spinal cord injury.

Participants were allocated into one of two groups (rehabilitation or control). Rehabilitation group (8 weeks of rehabilitation; CHORDATA® Method) Control group (patients with up to three years of traumatic spinal cord injury): Participants maintained their daily-life activities routine during the same eight weeks period and were tested before and after this control period. At the end of the control period, patients interested at participating on the training program were included in the intervention group

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients that suffered traumatic spinal cord injury in the last 42 months, capable of transporting themselves for rehabilitation at the physical therapy clinic and for the neuromuscular tests at the laboratory where measurements were performed.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Body weight above 95kg
• Physical and functional limitations impeding them of performing physical activity
• Physically incapacitating diseases (e.g severe cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, oncologic diseases, systemic arterial hypertension)
• Visual deficit that impeded reading
• Recurrent vertigo or hypotension to exercise
• Engaged in other treatments that could constitute a confounding effect
• Changed their daily life activities during the study