Potential Therapeutic Effects of Passive Limb Movement in Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) lead to significant changes in autonomic function, hemodynamics, and body composition. These structural and functional alterations are closely associated with the development of cardiovascular pathologies and other metabolic diseases. Recent clinical studies suggest that passive limb movement (PLM) has beneficial effects on cardiovascular function and skeletal muscle health, which has drawn a growing interest for the use of PLM as a therapeutic option for patients with SCI. However, there is a lack of mechanistic studies that examine the underlying mechanisms of how PLM may ameliorate cardiovascular and skeletal muscle function in patients with SCIs. In this review, we will discuss potential mechanisms of SCI-induced perturbations in autonomic function, hemodynamics, and body composition. Furthermore, we will highlight the therapeutic effects of PLM on autonomic function, vascular structure and function, and skeletal muscle in patients with SCIs. Additionally, we will also introduce the effects of other passive therapeutic interventions such as vibration and massage therapy with potential benefits and concerns for cardiovascular and skeletal muscle adaptations in SCI. Therefore, optimizing the application of PLM in patients with SCIs may be useful to salvage SCI-induced attenuations in vascular function and body composition.