# HYBRID-FES EXERCISE TO PREVENT CARDIOPULMONARY DECLINES IN ACUTE HIGH LEVEL SCI

> **NIH NIH R01** · SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL · 2022 · $493,266

## Abstract

This research builds on prior funded research that helped to define a novel approach to improve
exercise for those with high level spinal cord injuries (SCI). SCI is associated with greater risk
for cardiovascular disease compared to the general population, but those with high level SCI
have the greatest cardiometabolic risk factors and highest risk of mortality due to heart disease.
This is likely due to the fact that those with injuries above T3 have the most loss of skeletal and
pulmonary muscle function. As a result, those with high level SCI cannot exercise at intensities
resulting in the unique cardioprotective effects of regular aerobic exercise. We have refined a
unique form of exercise for those with SCI that mirrors exercise in the able-bodied. Functional
Electrical Stimulation Row Training (FESRT) couples volitional arm and electrically controlled
leg exercise, resulting in the benefits of large muscle mass exercise. However, despite potential
for enhancing aerobic capacity by training the denervated leg skeletal muscle via hybrid FES
exercise, the inability to increase ventilation beyond limits set by high level SCI restricts
exercise capacity. The increase in ventilatory requirements with FESRT results in an imbalance
between ventilatory capacity and greater whole body skeletal muscle demand after FESRT.
This observation led to the exploration of external ventilatory support (NIV) to improve exercise
capacity in high level SCI. This work strongly suggests that NIV acutely increases aerobic
capacity, but only in those with high level SCI and shorter injury duration. In addition,
pharmacologic treatments may augment respiratory control and improve exercise ventilatory
responses. Buspirone can reverse respiratory abnormalities consequent to SCI in rats, and
humans case reports suggest successful Buspirone treatment of respiratory dysfunction.
Therefore, we propose a double-blind 2x2 trial of 6mo of FESRT with NIV or Sham and
Buspirone or Placebo in individuals with acute(<3 years), high-level (>T3) SCI. We hypothesize
that both NIV and Buspirone will improve ventilatory exercise responses and that combined
treatment will have the greatest effect. This will result in greater improvements in aerobic
capacity and concomitant increases in pulmonary function and reductions in cardiometabolic
risk. This work proposes two approaches to overcome ventilatory limitations to exercise in high
level SCI and allow for greater improvements in cardiopulmonary capacity - one that overcomes
mechanical limitations of paralyzed pulmonary musculature and one that treats loss of
serotonergic respiratory control, both of which may contribute to blunted ventilatory responses.
The ultimate purpose of this research is to optimize exercise for a population that both needs
and seeks the broad range of benefits that exercise can confer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10413166
- **Project number:** 5R01HL117037-08
- **Recipient organization:** SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** J ANDREW TAYLOR
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $493,266
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2013-08-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10413166

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10413166, HYBRID-FES EXERCISE TO PREVENT CARDIOPULMONARY DECLINES IN ACUTE HIGH LEVEL SCI (5R01HL117037-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10413166. Licensed CC0.

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