Summary: In a study in mice, researchers made a surprise finding that social support groups may promote recovery in spinal cord injury patients. They were testing how gabapentin helps during rehab. Gabapentin did not lower spinal inflammation. Instead, it boosted the growth of neurons in the part of the brain linked to better social contact. Mice that trained together during rehab also did better. That shows how much social ties matter for recovery.
Trauma is the most common cause of spinal cord injury. It often hits young adults and leaves them fully or partly paralyzed. At times, it can also become a cause of sciatica pain. Medication comes first. Then a long rehab process begins, including physical therapy. Physical or exercise therapy plays a vital role in rehab for these patients. But drive differs from person to person. Some people are mentally stronger and more willing to do their physical therapy. So they recover better. That is why researchers keep looking for ways to boost drive in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients, so they heal faster.
Researchers know that some drugs that ease pain, anxiety and fear may help boost a patient’s drive. That may improve rehab results. In one study, researchers were testing whether the drug gabapentin helps patients stick with rehab. Then they found something they did not expect. Some mice did not want to do the rehab program or take their drugs. They suddenly started to exercise when they could rehab as a group. Researchers found that gabapentin, an anti-seizure drug, is quite good for managing SCI, because it raises rehab participation. Mice given gabapentin were more motivated than mice given a placebo. So they were more likely to do rehab exercises after the injury.
Researchers think gabapentin works in more than one way. First, it seems to shield neurons from more injury and to ease anxiety after the injury. So gabapentin can aid recovery. The researchers wanted to learn how gabapentin works, since mice on it were more motivated. Motivated mice are more likely to train on their own and recover better.
In the study, researchers made multiple interesting findings. First, it seems that gabapentin does not influence spinal cord pain and inflammation much. Instead, gabapentin appears to promote the growth of new neurons in the brain’s hippocampal region. That appears to raise drive. So gabapentin appears to work mainly in two ways. First, it grows neurons in a brain region that plays a key role in motivation. Second, gabapentin eases anxiety, which lowers the mental barrier to exercise. They also found that gabapentin may help by reducing some complications after the injury.
During the experiment, the researchers had an idea. If gabapentin works mainly by boosting drive, why not boost drive without a drug? They had also noticed that mice that trained with each other were more likely to train longer and better. Some mice had more drive, and they could get other mice to start training. That led to better results. This strengthens the link between rehab and social support.
Researchers say people are more likely to develop anxiety and depression after an injury. That makes them less motivated to do the exercise program that rehab depends on. But if patients get a chance to exercise together, they are more likely to train and recover better. This social bonding can help boost recovery and healing. So researchers recommend training SCI patients in groups, not alone. Group training creates social contact. And humans are social beings, much like mice. They can push each other to train better.
Frequently asked questions
Does social support help recovery after a spinal cord injury?
Yes. In a mouse study of spinal cord injury rehab, mice that trained together trained longer and better than mice that trained alone. Some mice had not wanted to exercise. They started when given a group option. The more motivated mice pulled the others into training. Researchers now recommend group training for people with spinal cord injuries, not rehab alone.
Is gabapentin effective in treating spinal cord injury?
In the mouse study, gabapentin helped rehab more than a placebo. It did this mainly by raising drive. It did little for spinal cord pain and inflammation. Instead, it promoted the growth of new neurons in the brain’s hippocampal region. It also eased anxiety and lowered the mental barrier to exercise. It seems to shield neurons from more injury. And it may reduce some complications after the injury.
Why does motivation matter so much in spinal cord injury rehab?
Recovery depends on a long rehab process, and physical or exercise therapy is at its core. People who are more willing to do physical therapy recover better. Drive differs from person to person. That is why researchers keep looking for ways to raise it. Options run from drugs that ease pain, anxiety and fear to the simple step of training in a group.
Is depression or anxiety common after a spinal cord injury?
Yes. After a spinal cord injury, people are more likely to develop anxiety and depression. That matters for recovery. Anxious or depressed patients have less drive. They are less likely to stick with the exercise program rehab depends on. Training with others helps. Social bonding boosts drive. People, like the mice in the study, push each other to train better.
The Bottom Line
Padda Institute of Pain Management offers highly specialized treatment for spine injury and sciatica pain management. Schedule an appointment today to get overall relief.
Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP
