Improved intralimb coordination in people with incomplete spinal cord injury following training with body weight support and electrical stimulation.
OBJECTIVE
Limb coordination is an element of motor control that is frequently disrupted following spinal cord injury (SCI). The authors assessed intralimb coordination in subjects with SCI following a 12-week program combining body weight support, electrical stimulation, and treadmill training.


METHODS
Fourteen subjects with long-standing (mean time post-SCI=70 months, range=12-171 months), incomplete SCI participated. Three subjects without SCI provided data for comparison.


METHODS
A vector-based technique was used to assign values to the frame-by-frame changes in hip/knee angle, and vector analysis techniques were used to assess how closely the hip/knee angles of each step cycle resembled those of every other step cycle. Overground and treadmill walking speeds also were measured.


RESULTS
Following training, 9 of the 14 subjects with SCI demonstrated greater intercycle agreement. Mean overground and treadmill walking speeds improved (84% and 158%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The intervention used in this study is based on our current understanding of the role of afferent input in the production of walking. Although the study sample was small and there was no control group, results suggest that training may improve intralimb coordination in people with SCI.
Field-Fote
Edelle Carmen
EC
Division of Physical Therapy, University of Miami School of Medicine, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA. edee@miami.edu
Tepavac
Dejan
D
D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016138:Walking