Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of intensive locomotor training on balance and
ambulatory function at enrollment and discharge during outpatient rehabilitation
after incomplete SCI. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort. SETTING: Seven
outpatient rehabilitation centers from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
NeuroRecovery Network (NRN). PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=196) with American Spinal
Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade C or D SCI who received at least
20 locomotor training treatment sessions in the NRN. INTERVENTIONS: Intensive
locomotor training, including step training using body-weight support and manual
facilitation on a treadmill followed by overground assessment and community
integration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Berg Balance Scale; Six-Minute Walk Test;
10-Meter Walk Test. RESULTS: Outcome measures at enrollment showed high
variability between patients with AIS grades C and D. Significant improvement
from enrollment to final evaluation was observed in balance and walking measures
for patients with AIS grades C and D. The magnitude of improvement significantly
differed between AIS groups for all measures. Time since SCI was not associated
significantly with outcome measures at enrollment, but was related inversely to
levels of improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Significant variability in baseline values of
functional outcome measures is evident after SCI in individuals with AIS grades C
and D and significant functional recovery can continue to occur even years after
injury when provided with locomotor training. These results indicate that
rehabilitation, which provides intensive activity-based therapy, can result in
functional improvements in individuals with chronic incomplete SCI.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS