Thangavelu Senthilvelkumar1, Henry Magimairaj2, Jebaraj Fletcher3, George Tharion2, Jacob George2. 1. Physical Therapy Unit, Rehabilitation Institute, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Christian Medical College, Tamil Nadu, India sentheel@gmail.com. 2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Christian Medical College, Tamil Nadu, India. 3. Physical Therapy Unit, Rehabilitation Institute, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Christian Medical College, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of body weight-supported treadmill training and body weight-supported overground training for improving gait and strength in people with traumatic incomplete tetraplegia. DESIGN: Assessor blinded randomized trial. SETTING:Rehabilitation institute of a tertiary care teaching hospital in India. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen participants with traumatic motor incomplete tetraplegia and within two years of injury. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomised to one of two groups: body weight-supported overground training on level ground and body weight-supported treadmill training. Both groups received 30 minutes of gait training per day, five days a week for eight weeks. In addition, both groups received regular rehabilitation which included flexibility, strength, balance, self care and functional training. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (/20 points) and the secondary outcome was the Lower Extremity Muscle Score (/50 points). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant between group differences in the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury [mean difference=0.3points; 95% CI (-4.8 to 5.4); p=0.748] or the Lower Extremity Muscle Score [mean difference=0.2 points; 95% CI (-3.8 to 5.1); p=0.749]. CONCLUSIONS:Gait training with body weight-supported overground training is comparable to treadmill training for improving locomotion in people with traumatic incomplete tetraplegia.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of body weight-supported treadmill training and body weight-supported overground training for improving gait and strength in people with traumatic incomplete tetraplegia. DESIGN: Assessor blinded randomized trial. SETTING: Rehabilitation institute of a tertiary care teaching hospital in India. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen participants with traumatic motor incomplete tetraplegia and within two years of injury. INTERVENTIONS:Participants were randomised to one of two groups: body weight-supported overground training on level ground and body weight-supported treadmill training. Both groups received 30 minutes of gait training per day, five days a week for eight weeks. In addition, both groups received regular rehabilitation which included flexibility, strength, balance, self care and functional training. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (/20 points) and the secondary outcome was the Lower Extremity Muscle Score (/50 points). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant between group differences in the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury [mean difference=0.3points; 95% CI (-4.8 to 5.4); p=0.748] or the Lower Extremity Muscle Score [mean difference=0.2 points; 95% CI (-3.8 to 5.1); p=0.749]. CONCLUSIONS: Gait training with body weight-supported overground training is comparable to treadmill training for improving locomotion in people with traumatic incomplete tetraplegia.
Authors: Taryn Klarner; Trevor S Barss; Yao Sun; Chelsea Kaupp; Pamela M Loadman; E Paul Zehr Journal: Neural Plast Date: 2016-06-23 Impact factor: 3.599