title: Repetitive mass practice or focused precise practice for retraining walking after incomplete spinal cord injury? A pilot randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retraining walking following spinal cord injury using visually guided tasks may be especially efficacious because it engages the motor cortex, whose input may facilitate improvements in functional walking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To contrast 2 methods of retraining, one emphasizing precise, visually guided walking over obstacles and on targets (Precision Training), the other emphasizing mass practice of walking on a treadmill (Endurance Training).
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, single-blind, crossover design was used. Twenty-two participants, ≥7 months postinjury, were randomly allocated to start with Precision or Endurance Training. Each phase of training was 5 times per week for 2 months, followed by a 2-month rest.
  
  
  METHODS
  of walking speed, distance, skill, confidence, and depression were obtained before training, then monthly thereafter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both forms of training led to significant improvements in walking, with Endurance Training inducing bigger improvements in walking distance than Precision Training, especially for high-functioning walkers who had initial walking speeds >0.5 m/s. The largest improvements in walking speed and distance occurred in the first month of Endurance Training, with minimal changes in the second month of training. In contrast, improvements in walking skill occurred over both months during both types of training. Retention of over ground walking speed, distance, and skill was excellent for both types of training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intensive walking training in the chronic phase after spinal cord injury is effective in improving over ground walking. Visually guided tasks for training individuals with chronic spinal cord injury were not superior to mass practice on a treadmill.
authors.affiliation: 1University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Jaynie F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Kristin E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Musselman
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Livingstone
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brunton
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hendricks
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gorassini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: physical therapy; rehabilitation; spinal cord injuries; treadmill; walking