Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of a novel overground locomotor training
program on walking performance in people with chronic cervical motor incomplete
spinal cord injury (iSCI).
DESIGN: Before-after pilot study. SETTING: Human
performance research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (N=6, age >18y) with
chronic cervical iSCI with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale
grades C and D. INTERVENTIONS: Overground locomotor training included two
90-minute sessions per week for 12 to 15 weeks. Training sessions alternated
between uniplanar and multiplanar stepping patterns. Each session was comprised
of 5 segments: joint mobility, volitional muscle activation, task isolation, task
integration, and activity rehearsal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Overground walking
speed, oxygen consumption (V o2), and carbon dioxide production (V co2). RESULTS:
Overground locomotor training increased overground walking speed (.36+/-.20 vs
.51+/-.24 m/s, P<.001, d=.68). Significant decreases in V o2 (6.6+/-1.3 vs
5.7+/-1.4mL.kg.min, P=.038, d=.67) and V co2 (753.1+/-125.5 vs
670.7+/-120.3mL/min, P=.036, d=.67) during self-selected constant work rate
treadmill walking were also noted after training. CONCLUSIONS: The overground
locomotor training program used in this pilot study is feasible and improved both
overground walking speed and walking economy in a small sample of people with
chronic cervical iSCI. Future studies are necessary to establish the efficacy of
this overground locomotor training program and to differentiate among potential
mechanisms contributing to enhanced walking performance in people with iSCI after
overground locomotor training.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS