title: Robotically assisted treadmill exercise training for improving peak fitness in chronic motor incomplete spinal cord injury: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of robotically assisted body weight supported treadmill training (RABWSTT) for improving cardiovascular fitness in chronic motor incomplete spinal cord injury (CMISCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Pilot prospective randomized, controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient rehabilitation specialty hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen individuals with CMISCI with American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) level between C4 and L2 and at least one-year post injury. Interventions CMISCI participants were randomized to RABWSTT or a home stretching program (HSP) three times per week for three months. Those in the home stretching group were crossed over to three months of RABWSTT following completion of the initial three month phase.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peak oxygen consumption (peak VO(2)) was measured during both robotic treadmill walking and arm cycle ergometry: twice at baseline, once at six weeks (mid-training) and twice at three months (post-training). Peak VO(2) values were normalized for body mass.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The RABWSTT group improved peak VO(2) by 12.3% during robotic treadmill walking (20.2 ± 7.4 to 22.7 ± 7.5 ml/kg/min, P = 0.018), compared to a non-significant 3.9% within group change observed in HSP controls (P = 0.37). Neither group displayed a significant change in peak VO2 during arm cycle ergometry (RABWSTT, 8.5% (P = 0.25); HSP, 1.76% (P = 0.72)). A repeated measures analysis showed statistically significant differences between treatments for peak VO(2) during both robotic treadmill walking (P = 0.002) and arm cycle ergometry (P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RABWSTT is an effective intervention model for improving peak fitness levels assessed during robotic treadmill walking in persons with CMISCI.
authors.forename: Peter H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Gorman
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: York
authors.forename: Melita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Theyagaraj
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Price-Miller
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McQuaid
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eyvazzadeh
authors.forename: Frederick M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Ivey
authors.forename: Richard F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Macko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Peak oxygen consumption; Robotic exercise; Spinal cord injury; Treadmill training