Antidepressant Effects of Aerobic Exercise After Spinal Cord injury

Abstract

Abstract Study Design: Secondary outcome measures analysis of a randomized, controlled study. Objectives: To assess the effects of hybrid-functional electrical stimulation (FES) rowing, arms only (AO) rowing and waitlist (WL) controls on pain, pain interference, and depression in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation networks Methods: 44 participants were randomly assigned to FES (n = 19), AO (n= 12) or WL (n=13). The FES group completed 6 months of rowing scheduled 3 times per week. Individuals in the AO and WL groups were allowed to cross over to FES rowing after 6 months and were included in subsequent analyses of the effects of FES rowing. Rowing distance and intensity was logged, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) measures were obtained before and after the intervention. Changes in the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-56) derived pain interference, pain, and depression scores were analyzed. Results: FES-rowing led to modest improvements in depression, AO led to modest improvements in pain intensity, and WL did not improve pain nor depression. After incorporating individuals who crossed over to FES rowing, we observed modest but significant improvement in depression scores but not in pain. Among the participants who benefited from the FES intervention, the reduction in depression was correlated to the average weekly rowing distance (r2=0.79 p=0.0001). Conclusions: 6 months of FES rowing spent in a supportive environment can help persons with spinal cord injuries alleviate moderate depression in a dose-dependent manner.