A spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts synaptic connections between the corticospinal tract and motor neurons, impairing muscle control below the injury site. Many individuals with an SCI have impaired trunk control, affecting the performance of activities of daily living and quality of life. Work has shown improvements in trunk control after home-based, unsupervised arm-crank exercise training (ACET) in people with chronic motor-incomplete SCI. However, no studies have examined ACET’s impact on trunk control in individuals with subacute SCI. This study aims to investigate ACET’s effects on trunk control in adults with subacute incomplete SCI, and its mechanisms, and its long-term benefits on neuropathic pain, psychological well-being, physical activity levels and health-related quality of life.

This multicentre, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial will evaluate self-directed ACET in 60 individuals with subacute SCI (

This study was approved by The Health Research Authority and Health and Care Research Wales (22/NS/0054). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Findings will be presented at National and International conferences for researchers and clinicians. Finally, results will be disseminated to the SCI community.

ISRCTN17247972