Article

OBJECTIVE: To test the effect of combined intermittent hypoxia (IH) and body
weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on standing and dynamic balance in
persons with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI).
DESIGN: Randomized,
triple-blind, placebo-controlled study. SETTING: Rehabilitation medical centers.
PARTICIPANTS: Study participants (N=35) with chronic iSCI with American Spinal
Injury Association grades C and D (>1y postinjury) were randomly assigned to
either IH plus BWSTT (n=18) or continued normoxia (placebo) plus BWSTT protocol
(n=17). INTERVENTIONS: Participants received either IH (alternating 1.5min 9%
inspired O2 with 1.5min 21% inspired O2, 15 cycles per day) or continued normoxia
(21% O2) combined with 45 minutes of BWSTT for 5 consecutive days, followed by 3
times per week IH or normoxia plus BWSTT, for 3 additional weeks. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: Standing balance (normalized jerk and root-mean-square [RMS]) and
dynamic balance (turning duration, cadence in a turn, and turn-to-sit duration)
were assessed before and after IH and normoxia protocol by means of instrumented
sway and instrumented timed Up and Go test. RESULTS: There was no significant
difference in standing balance between interventions for both normalized jerk and
RMS instrumented sway components (both P>.05).
There was a significantly faster
cadence (P<.001), turning duration (P<.001), and turn-to-sit duration (P=.001) in
subjects receiving IH plus BWSTT, compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: A 4-week
protocol of IH combined with locomotor training improves dynamic, but not
standing, balance in persons with iSCI.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS