title: Effectiveness of Automated Locomotor Training in Patients with Acute Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized, Controlled, Multicenter Trial.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the effect of longer training times (50 instead of 25 min per day) using a robotic device results in a better outcome of walking ability of subjects with a subacute motor complete (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale [AIS]-B) and incomplete (AIS-C) spinal cord injury. Twenty-one patients were enrolled in the study, whereof 18 completed, on average, 34 trainings in 8 weeks. Longer training times resulted in better locomotor function. The second important result of the study is that a beneficial effect can be achieved by the application of a robotic device for prolonged training sessions without requiring more personal resources. It has to remain open whether even longer training times (more than 50 min) would result in a still better outcome. In any case, the extent of possible recovery in an individual patient is determined by the level and severity of spinal cord damage.
authors.affiliation: 1 Zurich University of Applied Sciences , Institute of Physiotherapy, Winterthur, Switzerland .|6 Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital , Zurich, Switzerland .
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wirz
authors.affiliation: 2 Center for Spinal Cord Injuries, Trauma Center Murnau , BG Klinikum Murnau gGmbH, Murnau am Staffelsee, Germany .
authors.forename: Orpheus
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mach
authors.affiliation: 2 Center for Spinal Cord Injuries, Trauma Center Murnau , BG Klinikum Murnau gGmbH, Murnau am Staffelsee, Germany .
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.affiliation: 3 Institut Guttmann Hospital de Neurorehabilitació , Institut Universitari adscript a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain .
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Benito-Penalva
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Hospital for Paraplegics , Toledo, Spain .|5 Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research, National Spinal Injuries Centre, Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust , NHS, Aylesbury, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Hospital for Paraplegics , Toledo, Spain .
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Esclarin
authors.affiliation: 6 Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital , Zurich, Switzerland .
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dietz
keywords: exercise therapy; spinal cord injuries; walking