In the United States, 250,000 Americans have a spinal cord injury. Today’s expert shares the results of a study that found activity-based rehabilitative strategies can play an important role in promoting physical integrity and functional recovery, even when implemented years after an injury. John W. McDonald,M.D., Ph.D.is the Director of the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury and senior author the study.

The study, Lower Extremity Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycling Promotes Physical & Neurological Recovery In Chronic Spinal Cord Injury, was recently published in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. The research revealed that long-term lower extremity functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling, as part of a rehabilitation regimen, was linked to substantial improvements in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Prior to this study, exercise was not typically advocated for individuals with a spinal cord injury.   To learn more about this exciting new research and the benefits it provides patients with spinal cord injuries, listen to the full podcast now.