Body weight supported treadmill training at very low treatment frequency for a young adult with incomplete cervical spinal cord injury.
BACKGROUND
Body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) using high treatment frequency has been shown to improve gait after spinal cord injury (SCI). This case report describes the use of BWSTT at a very low treatment frequency.


METHODS
The subject was a 19 y.o. female with an incomplete C6 SCI, one year post-injury, with multiple gait deficits.


METHODS
BWSTT was combined with conventional rehabilitation. Mean treatment frequency was 1.16 days/wk over 28.5 wks. A BWSTT progression algorithm based on observational gait analysis guided progressive changes in support levels, treadmill speed, and session length.


RESULTS
During the first 3 sessions, the subject tolerated an average of 15.7 minutes of BWSTT with 26% BWS at 0.8 m/s, improving to an average of 28 minutes of BWSTT with 10% BWS at 1.6 m/s in the last 3 sessions. Following 28.5 wks of very low frequency BWSTT, the subject displayed improved kinematics, walking speed, endurance, and distance during overground gait.


CONCLUSIONS
Very low frequency BWSTT combined with conventional treatment improved quality and endurance of walking for a person with incomplete cervical SCI. Further work is needed to evaluate the long-term outcome of very low frequency BWSTT and the interaction of BWSTT with other interventions.
Young
Daniel L
DL
Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154-3029, USA. daniel.young@unlv.edu
Wallmann
Harvey W
HW
Poole
Iris
I
Threlkeld
A Joseph
AJ
D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult