BACKGROUND: Stretching is a widely accepted standard-of-care therapy following spinal cord injury (SCI) that has not been systematically studied in animal models. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of a daily stretch-based physical therapy program on locomotor recovery in adult rats with moderate T9 contusive SCI. METHODS: A randomized treatment and control study of stretching in an animal model of acute SCI. Moderate SCIs were delivered with the NYU Impactor. Daily stretching (30 min/day, 5 days/wk for 8 weeks) was provided by a team of animal handlers. Hindlimb function was assessed using the BBB Open Field Locomotor Scale and kinematically. Passive range-of-motion for each joint was determined weekly using a goniometer. RESULTS: Declines in hindlimb function during overground stepping were observed for the first 4 weeks for stretched animals. BBB scores improved weeks 5 to 10 but remained below the control group. Stretched animals had significant deficits in knee passive range of motion starting at week 4 and for the duration of the study. Kinematic assessment showed decreased joint excursion during stepping that partially recovered beginning at week 5. CONCLUSION: Stretch-based therapy significantly impaired functional recovery in adult rats with a moderate contusive SCI at T10. The negative impact on function was greatest acutely but persisted even after the stretching ceased at 8 weeks postinjury.
BACKGROUND: Stretching is a widely accepted standard-of-care therapy following spinal cord injury (SCI) that has not been systematically studied in animal models. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of a daily stretch-based physical therapy program on locomotor recovery in adult rats with moderate T9 contusive SCI. METHODS: A randomized treatment and control study of stretching in an animal model of acute SCI. Moderate SCIs were delivered with the NYU Impactor. Daily stretching (30 min/day, 5 days/wk for 8 weeks) was provided by a team of animal handlers. Hindlimb function was assessed using the BBB Open Field Locomotor Scale and kinematically. Passive range-of-motion for each joint was determined weekly using a goniometer. RESULTS:Declines in hindlimb function during overground stepping were observed for the first 4 weeks for stretched animals. BBB scores improved weeks 5 to 10 but remained below the control group. Stretched animals had significant deficits in knee passive range of motion starting at week 4 and for the duration of the study. Kinematic assessment showed decreased joint excursion during stepping that partially recovered beginning at week 5. CONCLUSION: Stretch-based therapy significantly impaired functional recovery in adult rats with a moderate contusive SCI at T10. The negative impact on function was greatest acutely but persisted even after the stretching ceased at 8 weeks postinjury.
Authors: J R Huie; S M Garraway; K M Baumbauer; K C Hoy; B S Beas; K S Montgomery; J L Bizon; J W Grau Journal: Neuroscience Date: 2011-10-25 Impact factor: 3.590
Authors: James W Grau; Rachel E Baine; Paris A Bean; Jacob A Davis; Gizelle N Fauss; Melissa K Henwood; Kelsey E Hudson; David T Johnston; Megan M Tarbet; Misty M Strain Journal: Exp Neurol Date: 2020-04-28 Impact factor: 5.330
Authors: Jill Cannoy; Sam Crowley; Allen Jarratt; Kelly LeFevere Werts; Krista Osborne; Sohee Park; Arthur W English Journal: J Neurophysiol Date: 2016-07-27 Impact factor: 2.714
Authors: James W Grau; Yung-Jen Huang; Joel D Turtle; Misty M Strain; Rajesh C Miranda; Sandra M Garraway; Michelle A Hook Journal: J Neurotrauma Date: 2016-12-20 Impact factor: 5.269
Authors: Anastasia V P Keller; Grace Wainwright; Alice Shum-Siu; Daniella Prince; Alyssa Hoeper; Emily Martin; David S K Magnuson Journal: J Neurotrauma Date: 2016-08-23 Impact factor: 5.269
Authors: A Schwarz; C Pick; R Harrach; G Stein; H Bendella; O Ozsoy; U Ozsoy; E Schoenau; P Jaminet; L Sarikcioglu; S Dunlop; D N Angelov Journal: J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact Date: 2015-06 Impact factor: 2.041
Authors: J Russell Huie; Ellen D Stuck; Kuan H Lee; Karen-Amanda Irvine; Michael S Beattie; Jacqueline C Bresnahan; James W Grau; Adam R Ferguson Journal: eNeuro Date: 2015-11-16
Authors: Anastasia V Keller; Kathlene M Rees; Erik J Seibt; B Danni Wood; Abigail D Wade; Johnny Morehouse; Alice Shum-Siu; David S K Magnuson Journal: Spinal Cord Date: 2018-02-19 Impact factor: 2.772