Article

Locomotor training (LT) enhances walking in individuals with spinal
cord injuries (SCIs). We tested the acute effects of 4 days of LT using BWSTT
combined with Robotic Locomotor therapy compared to BWSTT twice weekly. Design:
Two non-ambulatory participants with an American Spinal Injury Association
Impairment Scale (AIS) D.
Both received LT for 2 weeks as a portion of their
clinical inpatient rehabilitation program and both used wheelchairs as their
primary method of mobility. Over a 2 week period, one participant received a
total of 8 visits consisting of manual BWSTT (twice weekly) combined with Robotic
locomotor therapy (twice weekly). The other participant preformed manual BWSTT
(twice weekly) for a total of 4 visits. Resting energy expenditure, body
composition, muscle strength, submaximal oxygen consumption
(VO_{2}) and blood lactate during LT were measured pre and
post-training. Results: The average maximum voluntary contraction of both knee
extensor muscle groups increased by 28-34% with associated reduction in
spasticity to the BWSTT participant. Two week interventions resulted in a
downward shift of the lactate concentrations for both participants, increase in
resting energy expenditure and shift in substrate utilization.
Discussion and conclusion: A clinical paradigm of incorporating BWSTT with robotic locomotor
therapy for 4 days/ week did not provide additional physiological benefits to
skeletal muscle strength, spasticity or metabolic profile compared to twice weekly of LT using BWSTT.

Langue : ANGLAIS