title: Comparison of body weight-supported treadmill training versus body weight-supported overground training in people with incomplete tetraplegia: a pilot randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness of body weight-supported treadmill training and body weight-supported overground training for improving gait and strength in people with traumatic incomplete tetraplegia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Assessor blinded randomized trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rehabilitation institute of a tertiary care teaching hospital in India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen participants with traumatic motor incomplete tetraplegia and within two years of injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomised to one of two groups: body weight-supported overground training on level ground and body weight-supported treadmill training. Both groups received 30 minutes of gait training per day, five days a week for eight weeks. In addition, both groups received regular rehabilitation which included flexibility, strength, balance, self care and functional training.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome measure was the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (/20 points) and the secondary outcome was the Lower Extremity Muscle Score (/50 points).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant between group differences in the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury [mean difference=0.3points; 95% CI (-4.8 to 5.4); p=0.748] or the Lower Extremity Muscle Score [mean difference=0.2 points; 95% CI (-3.8 to 5.1); p=0.749].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gait training with body weight-supported overground training is comparable to treadmill training for improving locomotion in people with traumatic incomplete tetraplegia.
authors: Physical Therapy Unit, Rehabilitation Institute, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Christian Medical College, Tamil Nadu, India sentheel@gmail.com.
authors: Thangavelu
authors: T
authors: Senthilvelkumar
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Christian Medical College, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors: Henry
authors: H
authors: Magimairaj
authors: Physical Therapy Unit, Rehabilitation Institute, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Christian Medical College, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors: Jebaraj
authors: J
authors: Fletcher
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Christian Medical College, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Tharion
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Christian Medical College, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: George
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Spinal cord injuries; body weight-supported; locomotion