title: Isometric hip and knee torque measurements as an outcome measure in robot assisted gait training.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Strength changes in lower limb muscles following robot assisted gait training (RAGT) in subjects with incomplete spinal cord injury (ISCI) has not been quantified using objective outcome measures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To record changes in the force generating capacity of lower limb muscles (recorded as peak voluntary isometric torque at the knee and hip), before, during and after RAGT in both acute and subacute/chronic ISCI subjects using a repeated measures study design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen subjects with ISCI participated in this study (Age range: 26-63 years mean age = 49.3 ± 11 years). Each subject participated in the study for a total period of eight weeks, including 6 weeks of RAGT using the Lokomat system (Hocoma AG, Switzerland). Peak torques were recorded in hip flexors, extensors, knee flexors and extensors using torque sensors that are incorporated within the Lokomat.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the tested lower limb muscle groups showed statistically significant (p < 0.001) increases in peak torques in the acute subjects. Comparison between the change in peak torque generated by a muscle and its motor score over time showed a non-linear relationship.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The peak torque recorded during isometric contractions provided an objective outcome measure to record changes in muscle strength following RAGT.
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering Unit, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK Scottish Centre for Innovation in Spinal Cord Injury (SCISCI), Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK Physical Therapy Program, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Care Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Sujay S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Galen
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering Unit, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK Scottish Centre for Innovation in Spinal Cord Injury (SCISCI), Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Celia J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.affiliation: Scottish Centre for Innovation in Spinal Cord Injury (SCISCI), Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Alan N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.affiliation: Scottish Centre for Innovation in Spinal Cord Injury (SCISCI), Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering Unit, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK Scottish Centre for Innovation in Spinal Cord Injury (SCISCI), Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Bernard A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Conway
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012371:Robotics; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019415:Torque
keywords: Incomplete spinal cord injury; body weight supported treadmill training; dynamometry; lokomat; muscle strength; peak torque