title: Robot-aided gait training in an individual with chronic spinal cord injury:  a case study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Traditional physical therapy is beneficial in restoring mobility in individuals who have sustained spinal cord injury (SCI), but residual limitations often persist. Robotic technologies may offer opportunities for further gains. The purpose of this case study was to document the use and practicality of gait training for an individual with chronic, incomplete SCI with asymmetric lower limb motor deficits using a novel robotic knee orthosis (RKO).
  
  
  METHODS
  The participant was a 22-year-old woman who sustained fractures of the odontoid process and C5-C6 vertebrae from a motor vehicle accident resulting in incomplete SCI with asymmetric tetraparesis, right side more severe than left side. She required supervised assistance with gait and balance tasks, minimal assistance to ascend/descend steps using a handrail, and upper extremity assistance for sit-to-stand tasks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participant underwent 7 one-hour sessions of mobility training, using a novel RKO. Her primary goal was to increase independence and endurance with mobility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Functional measures included the 6-Minute Walk Test, the Berg Balance Scale, the Timed Up & Go Test, and the 10-Meter Walk Test. Outcomes were assessed and recorded at baseline and on completion of 7 hours of training with the device over a 2-week period. No adverse events occurred. The RKO was well received by both the participant and the treating therapist. The participant demonstrated improvements in the 6-Minute Walk Test and Berg Balance Scale after RKO-training intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Outcomes suggest that the use of this device during a physical therapy program for an individual with incomplete SCI is practical and this device may be a useful adjunct to standard training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 180 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY 10032, USA. lb2413@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Lauri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Christopher Kevin
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult