Article

Body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) is a
task-specific intervention that promotes functional locomotion. There is no
research evaluating the effect of backward walking (BW) using BWSTT in
individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The purpose of this single subject
design was to examine the differences between forward walking (FW) and BW
training using BWSTT in an individual with quadriparesis. METHODS: The
participant was a 57-year-old male with incomplete C3-C6 SCI. An ABABAB design (A
= BW; B = FW; each phase = 3 weeks of biweekly sessions) was utilized. Outcome
measures included: gait parameters; a timed 4-meter walk; the 5-repetition
sit-to-stand test (STST); tandem stance time; and 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Data
was analyzed with split level method of trend estimation. RESULTS: Improvements
in gait parameters, on the timed 4-meter walk, 6MWT, tandem balance and aerobic
endurance were similar with FW and BW training. The only difference between FW
and BW training was that BW training resulted in greater improvements in the STST. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that in this individual
backward walking training was advantageous, resulting in improved ability to
perform the 5-repetition STST. It is suspected that these changes can be
attributed to the differences in muscle activation and task difficulty between FW and BW.

Langue : ANGLAIS