Partial body weight support with treadmill locomotion to improve gait after incomplete spinal cord injury: a single-subject experimental design

MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Mass, USA. kgard1@aol.com

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Gait training with partial body weight support has been used to improve gait. In this study, changes in gait relative to speed, cadence, stride length, and percentages of stance and swing for both lower extremities (LEs) during comfortable walking, fast walking, and running were studied in a subject with an incomplete C-5 on C-6 spinal cord injury. SUBJECT AND METHODS: A single-subject experimental design was used. Following a 6-week period of baseline measurements taken at various intervals (phase AI), the subject ambulated on a treadmill three times a week for 6 weeks with 32% of his body weight supported (phase B). Phase B was followed by a 3-week period without treatment during which measurements were taken at various intervals (phase AII). Gait variables were measured once a week during comfortable walking, fast walking, and running. Heart rate was monitored during treadmill training. RESULTS: During comfortable walking, fast walking, and running, improvements were seen in gait speed. During running, improvements also were seen in stride length and percentages of stance and swing for the right LE. The largest changes were recorded during running. Smaller changes were recorded during comfortable walking and fast walking. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: These results justify testing the efficacy of this technique with larger groups of subjects with neurological impairments.

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