The Effectiveness of the Wim Hof Method in People With Spinal Cord Injury

People with a spinal cord injury (SCI) often experience secondary medical complications. One of the methods that may help to prevent or deal with secondary complications in people with SCI is the Wim Hof Method (WHM). The WHM is based on three elements: 1) breathing exercises, 2) gradual cold exposure (cold showers, or cold water immersion), and 3) mindset. The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial is to assess the effects of WHM, involving breathing exercises, mindset (and cold exposure), on health-related quality of life in people with SCI. The secondary objectives are to assess the effects of WHM, involving breathing exercises, mindset (and cold exposure) in people with SCI on: inflammation markers, metabolic health, pulmonary function, body composition, sleep quality, spasticity, stress, and on chronic pain.

Inclusion Criteria:Individuals (Male/Female) with either a complete or incomplete chronic SCI. In this study, a chronic SCI is defined as a time since injury ≥ 1 year.Participants have to be between 18 and 75 years old.Exclusion Criteria:Cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac disease;A history of severe autonomic dysreflexia assessed with the 'Autonomic standards assessment';Severe pulmonary disease (such as COPD) based on a pulmonary history;Insufficient mastery of the Dutch language (speaking and reading);Severe cognitive or communicative disorders;Progressive disease;Being or becoming pregnant during the study period;Severe psychiatric illness or disorders (at the discretion of the treating rehabilitation physician);Involved in another intervention study which may have an effect on the outcome measures of the present study;Experience with (parts of) the Wim Hof Method.Negative advice from physician to participate in the Wim Hof Method intervention based on the medical screening.