Spinal Cord Injuries
Conditions
Keywords
Spinal Cord Injury, Exercise, Walking, Aquatics
Brief summary
We documented the impact of 1 year of underwater treadmill training and supplemental overground walk training in five adults with chronic motor-complete SCI (cSCI) who had not undergone programmed epidural spinal cord stimulation (eSCS).
Detailed description
Regular exposure to self-initiated treadmill walking in water, a unique sensorimotor exercise setting that makes stepping movements easier to perform, may capitalize on the adaptability of the neuromuscular system and enhance locomotor function in persons with cSCI who have not undergone eSCS. In our study, a combined aquatics- and land-based approach to gait training was employed over a 12-month period that featured underwater treadmill training and supplemental overground walk training.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALExercise
Underwater treadmill training and supplemental overground walk training
Sponsors
Middle Tennessee State University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* At least 21 years of age * Presence of traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury for at least 1 year * Medical diagnosis of paraplegia (T1 or below)
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of complex comorbidities that could limit involvement in training activities * Surgical implantation or removal of a medical device six months prior to training * Skin breakdown * Use of electrical implants to promote ambulation
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Overground walking capacity | Change from Baseline WISCI-II score at 6 months and 12 months | Walking Capacity for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI-II) |
Outcome results
None listed