title: Comparison of the effects of body-weight-supported treadmill training and tilt-table standing on spasticity in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determine the effects of body-weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) and tilt-table standing (TTS) on clinically assessed and self-reported spasticity, motor neuron excitability, and related constructs in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Random cross-over.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven individuals with chronic SCI and spasticity performed thrice-weekly BWSTT for 4 weeks and thrice-weekly TTS for 4 weeks, separated by a 4-week wash-out. Clinical (Modified Ashworth Scale, Spinal Cord Assessment Tool  for Spinal reflexes) and self-report (Spinal Cord Injury Spasticity Evaluation Tool, Penn Spasm Frequency Scale) assessments of spasticity, quality of life (Quality of Life Index Spinal Cord Injury Version - III), functional mobility (FIM Motor Subscale), plus soleus H-reflex were measured  at baseline, after the first training session and within 2 days of completing each training condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In comparison with TTS, a single session of BWSTT had greater beneficial effects for muscle tone (effect size (ES) = 0.69), flexor spasms (ES = 0.57),  and the H/M ratio (ES = 0.50). Similarly, flexor spasms (ES = 0.79), clonus (ES = 0.66), and self-reported mobility (ES = 1.27) tended to benefit more from 4 weeks of BWSTT than of TTS. Participation in BWSTT also appeared to be favorable for  quality of life (ES = 0.50). In contrast, extensor spasms were reduced to a greater degree with TTS (ES = 0.68 for single session; ES = 1.32 after 4 weeks).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While both BWSTT and TTS may provide specific benefits with respect to spasticity  characteristics, data from this pilot study suggest that BWSTT may result in a broader range of positive outcomes.
authors: McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors: Melanie M
authors: MM
authors: Adams
authors: Audrey L
authors: AL
authors: Hicks
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D057566:Self Report; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018667:Tilt-Table Test / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult