Effects of testosterone-augmented multimodal exercise intervention in spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial
Authors' conclusion
A home-based multimodality intervention combining FES-LC, AE, and testosterone was safe and associated with greater improvements in lean mass and hemoglobin. Although between-group differences in aerobic capacity were not statistically significant, greater within-group increases were observed in the multimodality group.
Study context
- Population
- Adults aged 19–70 years with spinal cord injury (SCI) (neurologic levels C4-T12; AIS grades A-D); 76 males, 8 females; mean (SD) age 44 (13) years, time since injury 13.9 (13) years
- Participants
- 84 adults
- Comparison
- FES-LC, arm ergometry (AE) and testosterone vs FES-LC, AE plus placebo
- Multimodalityn = 38
- Controln = 46reference
- Primary endpoint
- Change in aerobic capacity (peak VO2) during AE cardiopulmonary exercise testing
- Follow-up
- 16 weeks
Methodological detailsdouble-blind, placebo-controlled, home-based
- Double-blind
- Placebo-controlled
- Home-based
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Change in peak VO2
| Group | Value | Within-group increase |
|---|---|---|
| Multimodality | 0.10 (95% CI 0.02–0.18) L/min | ∼19% |
| Control | 0.06 (95% CI −0.01–0.13) L/min | ∼6% |
Value
Multimodality0.10 (95% CI 0.02–0.18) L/min
Control0.06 (95% CI −0.01–0.13) L/min
Within-group increase
Multimodality∼19%
Control∼6%
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | Difference (kg) (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-body lean mass gain | 1.84 (0.52–3.16) | P = 0.007 | |
| Lower extremity lean mass gain | 0.92 (0.38–1.45) | P = 0.001 | |
| −2024Difference, kg (linear scale) |
Anemia correction
- Anemia corrected in a greater proportion of Multimodality participants
Safety
- Adverse event rates were similar between groups
Original publication
Effects of testosterone-augmented multimodal exercise intervention in spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 16 April 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →