Early and intensive motor training to enhance neurological recovery in people with spinal cord injury: trial protocol

Lisa A. Harvey*, Joanne V. Glinsky, Jackie Chu, Robert D. Herbert, Hueiming Liu, Stephen Jan, Laurent Billot, Giorgio Scivoletto, Annemie I. Spooren, Henk A. Seelen, Marsha Ben, Keira Tranter, Lydia W. Chen, Donna Rainey, Christine Rimmer, Vivien Jorgensen, Fernanda Di Natal, Sophie Denis, Emilie J. Gollan, Federica TamburellaJacqui Agostinello, Charlotte M. van Laake-Geelen, Chris Bell, Claire Lincoln, Janneke M. Stolwijk, Jessica van der Lede, Sue Paddison, Kristine Oostra, Ian D. Cameron, Gerard Weber, Catherine Sherrington, Andrew K. Nunn, Emma-Leigh Synnott, Euan McCaughey, Jasbeer Kaur, Sachin Shetty

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Study designProtocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial (the SCI-MT trial).ObjectivesTo determine whether 10 weeks of intensive motor training enhances neurological recovery in people with recent spinal cord injury (SCI).SettingFifteen spinal injury units in Australia, Scotland, England, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium.MethodsA pragmatic randomised controlled trial will be undertaken. Two hundred and twenty people with recent SCI (onset in the preceding 10 weeks, American Spinal Injuries Association Impairment Scale (AIS) A lesion with motor function more than three levels below the motor level on one or both sides, or an AIS C or D lesion) will be randomised to receive either usual care plus intensive motor training (12 h of motor training per week for 10 weeks) or usual care alone. The primary outcome is neurological recovery at 10 weeks, measured with the Total Motor Score from the International Standards for Neurological Classification of SCI. Secondary outcomes include global measures of motor function, ability to walk, quality of life, participants' perceptions about ability to perform self-selected goals, length of hospital stay and participants' impressions of therapeutic benefit at 10 weeks and 6 months. A cost-effectiveness study and process evaluation will be run alongside the trial. The first participant was randomised in June 2021 and the trial is due for completion in 2025.ConclusionsThe findings of the SCI-MT Trial will guide recommendations about the type and dose of inpatient therapy that optimises neurological recovery in people with SCI.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)521–527
Number of pages7
JournalSpinal Cord
Volume61
Issue number9
Early online date1 Jul 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2023

Keywords

  • EXTREMITY SKILLED PERFORMANCE
  • CLINICAL-TRIALS
  • ICCP PANEL
  • OCCUPATIONAL-THERAPY
  • PHYSICAL-THERAPY
  • GOAL ATTAINMENT
  • STROKE
  • REHABILITATION
  • INTERVENTIONS
  • GUIDELINES

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