Home-Based Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycling Enhances Quality of Life in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Background: With advances in medicine and increased survival rates, the focus of health care after spinal cord injury (SCI) has evolved from extending life to increasing independence and quality of life (QOL). Because enhancing QOL is an ultimate goal of the rehabilitation process, research involving the improvement of QOL is of great importance. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a home-based functional electrical stimulation lower extremity cycling (FES-LEC) program on the QOL of persons with SCI. Design: Eleven veterans with posttraumatic C4-T11 AIS A-C SCI participated in 8 weeks of 3 times weekly home-based FES-LEC. QOL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. Tests were completed by all participants prior to and after the 8-week FES-LEC program. Results: There were significant increases in the physical and environmental domain QOL scores. There were nominal nonsignificant increases in the psychological and social domain QOL scores. Conclusions: The results of this study provide evidence that home-based FES-LEC 3 times per week for 8 weeks has the potential to result in QOL improvements.