The Effects of Two Months Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training on Balance and Quality of Life of Patients With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Background: Rhythmic auditory stimulation and body weight supported treadmill training both are standardized gait rehabilitation techniques. However there is limited literature evaluating the effect of rhythmic auditory stimulation and its combination with gait training in spinal cord injury. Aim of this study is to determine the short term effectiveness of rhythmic auditory stimulation with body weight supported treadmill training on gait and balance in individuals with incomplete Spinal Cord Injury. Method: A randomized control study design. 8 subjects with incomplete spinal cord injury who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into two groups: Experimental and Control. Subjects in experimental group were given body weight supported treadmill training with rhythmic auditory stimulation. Subjects in Control Group were given Body weight supported treadmill training alone. Both the groups received conventional rehabilitation as well. Both groups received training for 30 minutes, five times a week for two weeks (10 sessions). Outcome Measures: Gait parameters i.e. cadence, velocity, step length were measured using the Biodex Gait Trainer 2TM, level of walking performance measured using Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II, and balance was evaluated using Prokin 252NTM , Berg Balance Scale, and Activity specific Balance Confidence scale. Results: No significant improvement was found on gait parameters i.e. cadence, velocity, step length which were measured using the Gait Trainer, level of walking performance measured using WISCI II, and balance which was evaluated using Prokin 252NTM , Berg Balance Scale, and Activity specific Balance Confidence scale. Conclusion: Rhythmic auditory stimulation didn’t have any positive effect on gait training in incomplete spinal cord injured patients. Further studies are warranted to explore the entrainment effects of rhythmic auditory stimulation in spinal cord injured individuals on gait rehabilitation. Keywords: Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS), Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training (BWSTT), Metronome, Incomplete spinal cord injury, Biodex Gait Trainer 2.0, Prokin 252N

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Randomized Trial of Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy for Walking in Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Effects on Quality of Life and Community Participation

Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation ◽

10.1310/sci1904-245 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 245-258 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Sander Hitzig ◽

B. Craven ◽

Aliza Panjwani ◽

Naaz Kapadia ◽

Lora Giangregorio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Community Participation ◽

Functional Electrical Stimulation ◽

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Electrical Stimulation Therapy ◽

Cord Injury

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Robotic-Assisted, Body-Weight–Supported Treadmill Training in Individuals Following Motor Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Physical Therapy ◽

10.1093/ptj/85.1.52 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 85 (1) ◽

pp. 52-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 165

Author(s):

T George Hornby ◽

David H Zemon ◽

Donielle Campbell

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Body Weight ◽

Physical Therapists ◽

Treadmill Training ◽

Neurological Injury ◽

Walking Ability ◽

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Robotic Assisted ◽

Cord Injury

AbstractBackground and Purpose. Performance of therapist-assisted, body-weight–supported treadmill training (BWSTT) to enhance walking ability of people with neurological injury is an area of intense research. Its application in the clinical setting, however, is limited by the personnel and labor requirements placed on physical therapists. Recent development of motorized (“robotic”) rehabilitative devices that provide assistance during stepping may improve delivery of BWSTT. Case Description. This case report describes the use of a robotic device to enhance motor recovery and ambulation in 3 people following motor incomplete spinal cord injury. Interventions. Changes in motor impairment, functional limitations, and locomotor disability were monitored weekly during robotic-assisted BWSTT and following transition to therapist-assisted BWSTT with the assistance of one therapist. Outcomes. Following this training, 2 patients recovered independent over-ground walking and another improved his gait speed and endurance. Discussion. The use of robotic devices may assist physical therapists by providing task-specific practice of stepping in people following neurological injury.

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