UBC Okanagan trial finds guideline-based exercise can lower chronic pain intensity after spinal cord injury
A UBC Okanagan–led randomized trial (46 participants) found that a personalized aerobic and strength program, delivered in everyday settings and aligned with international SCI guidelines, significantly reduced spinal cord injury–specific pain intensity at 3 and 6 months. Published in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
The study enrolled 46 adults with chronic neuropathic or musculoskeletal pain after spinal cord injury. Half received a tailored aerobic-plus-strength program with certified trainer support and weekly exercise counselling; controls continued usual activities. While the primary composite pain outcome was inconclusive, an SCI‑specific pain intensity measure decreased significantly in the exercise group at 3 and 6 months. At six months, 8 of 18 exercise participants achieved a clinically meaningful ≥30% pain intensity reduction versus 2 of 16 controls. The trial—shaped by 150+ people with SCI and 50 clinicians—was conducted at UBC’s Kelowna and Vancouver campuses.