Spinal Cord Injury Specialists Map Out New Guide to Recovery

New educational materials outline how spinal cord injury (SCI) patients should safely introduce physical activity into their recovery, addressing a gap in guidance tailored to these patients post-discharge from hospital.

The large collaborative project involved the Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injuries Centre, the Peter Harrison Centre at Loughborough University and Wheelpower (National physical activity charity for wheelchair users) with additional translational activities supported by Dr Lesley Sharpe at the University of Lincoln, UK.

It is important to keep active after sustaining a SCI, as patients are at greater risk of developing health conditions including diabetes, urinary tract infections, and obesity. Physical rehabilitation and exercise are integrated into a patient’s treatment while in hospital, yet, when they return home, this structure is often lost.

A new infographic provides guidelines on how to set reasonable starting goals and progress goals including aerobic and strength activities. Patients are to aim for 20 minutes of aerobic activity twice a week as a start goal, for example, before progressing to 30 minute sessions three times a week.

Lesley Sharpe, Sport and Exercise Lecturer at the University of Lincoln, illustrated and designed the infographic and said: “I am proud to see the University of Lincoln represented in such an important project and to once again collaborate with Professor Goosey-Tolfrey and the Peter Harrison Centre at Loughborough University. Their value in this aspect of my work is truly appreciated and I look forward to our continued collaboration.”

This information was showcased at the British Society of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine (BSPRM) and The British Association of Spinal Cord Injury Specialists (BASCIS) Joint Annual Meeting’s 3-day conference in Sheffield, UK.

Vicki Middleton, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist at Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Centre said: “The Launch of the physical activity promotion materials at the recent BSPRM BASCIS Joint Annual Conference were extremely well received and we obtained lots of positive feedback.

“The conference was a great network opportunity stimulating good conversations around supporting people with spinal cord injury to be physically active and generated interest from attendees seeking further details.”

A video presented at the conference showed people with a SCI expressing the profound impact partaking in sports had on their mental health as well as the physical benefits. It granted them a place to connect with people who have had similar experiences to them and get stronger together. This enhanced wellbeing then seeped into every part of their daily lives, allowing them to do more than they could’ve imagined.

Sophie Butler, a University of Lincoln alumni, sustained a SCI while exercising at a local gym and now works as a disability rights activist and influencer.

Sophie said: “Exercise has been a key part of my recovery. I was very into fitness before my injury, but I knew it would be even more important after my accident; to ensure that I could be fit and independent. I focused mainly on strength training, to build up my shoulders so I would be strong enough to push my own chair.

“It’s been really great for my overall physical health, but also my mental health. I’ve had a spinal injury for six years now and my fitness routine has expanded greatly. I went from doing one or two workouts a week at first, to now doing 3 gym session, 1 physio session, 1 swimming session and dancing every day.”

The work is funded by Enterprise Project Group at Loughborough University, WheelPower and Sheffield Spinal Injury Centre and is the work of a number of global contributors, led by Professor Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey and her team at The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, Loughborough University.