The Impact of Sub-maximal Exercise on Neuropathic Pain, Inﬂammation, and Affect Among Adults With Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study

Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 2021 · DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2021.700780 · Published: October 26, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Pain Management Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study explores how exercise affects neuropathic pain, inflammation, and mood in adults with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Eight active adults with SCI did 30 minutes of arm exercises. Researchers checked their pain, mood, and inflammation levels before, right after, and 90 minutes after exercising. The study found that exercise can help reduce neuropathic pain in some people with SCI. Further research is needed to find the best exercise intensity and understand which biomarkers can predict pain changes.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

8 active adults with tetraplegia (n=4) and paraplegia (n=4)

Evidence Level

Pilot Study

Key Findings

1
Neuropathic pain decreased immediately post-exercise for both tetraplegics (−60%) and paraplegics (−16%).
2
Lower baseline levels of IL-1ra predicted greater decreases in neuropathic pain immediately post-exercise.
3
Exercise led to decreased levels of neuropathic pain, and improved aﬀect, in both participants with tetraplegia and paraplegia.

Research Summary

This study investigated the impact of sub-maximal aerobic exercise on neuropathic pain (NP), inflammation, and psychological affect in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). The study found that sub-maximal exercise can positively impact NP for some individuals with SCI, with correlations observed between changes in cytokines and NP. The researchers suggest further research to identify optimal exercise intensity and biomarkers predictive of changes in NP following exercise among persons with SCI.

Practical Implications

Exercise as a potential pain management strategy

Sub-maximal exercise may serve as a non-pharmaceutical intervention to alleviate neuropathic pain in individuals with SCI.

Personalized exercise prescriptions

Future research should focus on identifying biomarkers to predict who will benefit most from exercise-induced pain relief.

Optimizing exercise intensity

Further studies are needed to determine the ideal exercise intensity to maximize pain reduction and improve well-being in individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings.
2
Reliance on peak power output rather than VO2peak may have led to variations in exercise intensity.
3
Lack of a control condition makes it difficult to account for placebo effects.

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