Cardiovascular Autonomic Function After Resistance Training

NCT07725952 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 11-2026-006
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether an 8-week upper-limb resistance training program improves cardiovascular autonomic function in adults with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). The primary objectives are to determine whether upper-limb resistance training improves heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and whether it improves blood pressure responses during postural change, upper-limb strength, symptoms related to orthostatic hypotension, and quality of life. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the resistance training group or the control group. All participants will complete assessments before and after the 8-week study period, including measurements of HRV, BRS, blood pressure responses during a tilt-table test, hand grip strength, and questionnaires assessing orthostatic hypotension symptoms and quality of life. Participants assigned to the resistance training group will participate in supervised upper-limb resistance training three times per week for 8 weeks.

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injury

Keywords

Spinal Cord Injury; Resistance Training; Cardiovascular Autonomic Function; Heart Rate Variability; Baroreflex Sensitivity; Orthostatic Hypotension; Exercise Rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Heart Rate Variability

  Heart rate variability will be assessed to evaluate changes in cardiovascular autonomic function following the 8-week intervention.

  Baseline and Week 8

• Baroreflex Sensitivity

  Baroreflex sensitivity will be assessed to evaluate changes in cardiovascular autonomic function following the 8-week intervention.

  Baseline and Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Orthostatic Hypotension

  Baseline and Week 8

• Grip Strength

  Baseline and Week 8

• Orthostatic Hypotension Symptoms (ADFSCI)

  Baseline and Week 8

• Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF)

  Baseline and Week 8

Study Arms (2)

Exercise group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive a supervised upper-limb resistance training program three times per week for 8 weeks. The program consists of progressive resistance exercises for the upper extremities.

Behavioral: Upper-Limb Resistance Training

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants will continue their usual daily activities without participating in the resistance training program during the 8-week study period.

Interventions

Upper-Limb Resistance Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will perform a supervised upper-limb resistance training program three times per week for 8 weeks. Each session will last approximately 30 minutes and consist of progressive resistance exercises for the upper extremities. Exercise intensity will be progressively adjusted according to each participant's tolerance.

Exercise group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Provided written informed consent and agreed to participate in the study.
• Adults aged 19 to 85 years.
• Chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) of traumatic or non-traumatic etiology, at least 6 months after injury.
• Cervical or thoracic spinal cord injury.
• Classified as American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) grade A, B, C, or D.
• Sufficient upper-limb range of motion to perform resistance training.
• Elbow extensor muscle strength of Manual Muscle Test (MMT) grade 3 or higher.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of any serious medical condition that would preclude participation in the study.
• Inability to understand or perform the exercise program.
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or progressive neurological disease.
• Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure \>140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure \>90 mmHg).
• History of cardiovascular disease within the past 6 months.
• Current use of medications that may affect heart rate variability (HRV) or baroreflex sensitivity (BRS).
• Severe orthostatic hypotension (OH) or autonomic dysreflexia (AD).
• Considered unsuitable for participation in the study by a board-certified specialist in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital

Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, 50612, South Korea

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries; Hypotension, Orthostatic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Spinal Cord Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Trauma, Nervous System; Wounds and Injuries; Orthostatic Intolerance; Primary Dysautonomias; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Hypotension; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Study Officials

• Sungchul Huh, MD, PhD

  Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Dogyu Lee, M.S.

CONTACT

055-360-1730; 2doq2doq@gmail.com

Yuna Kim, B.S.

CONTACT

055-360-1730; kyoona1289@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 21, 2026
• First Posted: July 24, 2026
• Study Start: July 27, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: July 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

KR (1)