Physical Therapy Journal of Indonesia
Vol. 7 No. 2 (2026): Inpress July-December 2026

Implementing the international exercise guidelines to improve the functional independence among the chronic spinal cord injury patients: A randomized controlled trial

Nurul Hanifah (Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia)
Martha Kurnia Kusumawardani (Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia)

Lydia Arfianti (Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia)

Nur Sulastri (Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia)
Inggar Narasinta (Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia)
Dewi Poerwandari (Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
13 Jul 2026

Abstract

Background: This research investigated the effectiveness of a modified exercise program in accordance with international spinal cord injury (SCI) exercise guidelines for improving functional independence in individuals with chronic SCI. Methods: A randomized controlled trial with a pre–post assessment design. Chronic SCI patients were allocated to either the intervention or control group. The intervention group participated in a 12-week combined aerobic and resistance training program. Functional independence was measured using the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM-III) at baseline and post-intervention. Results: Participants of intervention showed statistically significant improvement in functional independence (SCIM-III scores 79.25 ±19.6 to 86.0±17,8 p=0.018; effect size d = 0,84). The control group showed no meaningful change (56.38 ± 24.48 to 56.88 ± 23.73, p=0.848). Between-group comparison confirmed a significantly greater gain in the intervention group (Δ6.75 ± 6.79 vs. 0.5 ± 7.09, p=0.014; effect size 0.9). No severe adverse events were reported. Conclusion: A working translation of the International SCI Exercise Guidelines has been tested in Indonesia, showing clear gains in daily living skills. Because these results match global findings, adding planned physical activity to spinal cord injury recovery may work well even where resources are limited.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ptji

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Neuroscience Nursing Public Health

Description

The Physical Therapy Journal of Indonesia or PTJI is an open access journal that publishes scientifically content two editions per year June and December to promote clinical practice and research in the physical therapy area The Journal aims to promote a lively exchange of ideas between academics ...