[Gait training in incomplete spinal cord injuries with body weight support].
BACKGROUND
A spinal cord injury implies the loss of or alteration to the gait pattern. Stimulating the pattern generating centres in the sublesional spinal cord determines the appearance of flexion and extension automatisms that are useful for gait training in patients with spinal cord injuries. These centres can be stimulated using a treadmill and supporting the body weight by means of a harness.


OBJECTIVE
To be able to trigger spinal cord automatisms and to stimulate pattern generating centres. To determine the value of an electromechanical system for mobilising the lower limbs as a complement to the treadmill and body weight support. To study changes in muscle tone.


METHODS
A short gait training programming was carried out with ten individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries who satisfied eligibility-exclusion criteria using a treadmill in association with a body weight support system and an electromechanical system for mobilising the lower limbs.


CONCLUSIONS
Spinal cord flexion and extension automatisms were stimulated and an important improvement in spasticity was achieved. Longer programmes are needed in order to evidence changes in the gait pattern and in muscular balance.
Alcobendas-Maestro
M
M
Servicio de Rehabilitación, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, Toledo, Spain. malcob@iespana.es
López-Dolado
E
E
Esclarín de Ruz
A
A
Valdizán-Valledor
M C
MC
D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016138:Walking
Entrenamiento de la marcha en lesiones medulares incompletas con soporte del peso corporal.