High-Intensity Locomotor Exercise Increases Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Individuals with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract Study design Qualitative, in-depth research interviews. Objective To provide new insight into how people with a recent incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) experience high-intensity walking exercise after discharge from subacute inpatient rehabilitation. Setting Informants for this interview study participated in a previous randomized controlled trial (RCT) that was conducted at Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Norway. Methods Four individual face-to-face interviews were conducted with the participants in natural setting. The interviews were analyzed through systematic text condensation and discussed in the context of experiences of bodily changes. Results Four themes emerged that described positive but also challenging bodily experiences related to performing high-intensity walking exercise: “Expectations and motivation”—reasons for participating, “Challenging bodily changes”—impacts on walking ability, “Adaptation strategies”—achieving the high-intensity target level, and “Integrating exercise into a new daily life”—combining participation, new body and new life. Conclusions This study indicates the importance of participating in a specific exercise program at discharge from subacute inpatient rehabilitation for ambulant people with SCI. However, high-intensity walking exercise may be too demanding to perform during this time period. The insights from the study provide new knowledge that can contribute to improving clinical rehabilitation practice.

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Investigating a combination therapy of robot-driven rehabilitation techniques with viral delivery of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in treating adult spinal cord injury

10.17918/etd-7006 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

John Kim Lee

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Combination Therapy ◽

Neurotrophic Factor ◽

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Adult Spinal Cord

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Human Brain–Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene-Modified Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined With Erythropoietin Can Improve Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Dose-Response ◽

10.1177/1559325820910930 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 155932582091093

Author(s):

YongLei Li ◽

Hongchen Wang ◽

Xiaofang Ding ◽

Jiancheng Shen ◽

Haitao Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Neurotrophic Factor ◽

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽

Bdnf Gene ◽

Factor Gene ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Objective: To assess the effect as well as mechanism of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) modified by the human brain–derived neurotrophic factor gene combined with erythropoietin (EPO) in the treatment of acute spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods: The Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene was transected by a virus vector. Rats with SCI were randomly split into following groups: The normal saline (NS) group, the EPO group, The Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores, messenger RNA BDNF expression, and apoptosis rates were compared between the 4 groups at 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after SCI. Results: At 7, 14, and 21 days after operation, the expression of the BDNF gene in the other 3 groups was higher than that of the NS group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < .05). The apoptosis rate in the combined group was less than that of NS, EPO, and BDNF/BMSC groups, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < .05). Conclusion: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene-modified BMSC transplantation combined with EPO can promote the repair of nerve function after SCI in rats.

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