Effects of Robotic Versus Manually-Assisted Locomotor Training for Individuals With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury (DE)
Spinal Cord Injuries
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Spinal Cord Injuries focused on measuring Ambulatory Disability, Disability Ambulation, Locomotion Disorders, Motor Activity, Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injury
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Adults at least 18 years of age Spinal cord injury (SCO) at least 6 months since injury Motor I-SCI, upper motor neuron lesion only at cervical or thoracic levels A diagnosis of first time SCI including etiology from trauma, vascular, or orthopedic pathology SCI as defined by the American ASIA Impairment Scale categories C or D Medically stable condition that is asymptomatic for bladder infection, decubiti, osteoporosis, cardiopulmonary disease, pain, contractures or other significant medical complications that would prohibit or interfere with testing of walking function and training or alter compliance with the training protocol Documented medical approval from the participant's personal physician verifying the participant's medical status at time of enrollment Ability to walk a minimum of 30 feet with or without an assistive device, independently or with minimal assistance Over ground gait speed < 0.8 m/s Persons using anti-spasticity medication must maintain stable medication dosage during the study Able to give informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Current participation in a rehabilitation program/research protocol that could interfere or influence the outcome measures of the current study History of congenital SCI (e.g. myelomeningocele, intraspinal neoplasm, Friedreich's ataxia) or other degenerative spinal disorders (e.g. spinocerebellar degeneration, syringomyelia) that may complicate the protocol Inappropriate or unsafe fit of the harness or robotic trainer due to the participant's body size and/or joint contractures or severe spasticity that would prohibit the safe provision of either training modality
Sites / Locations
- North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Experimental
Robotic Assisted Locomotor Training
Manually Assisted Locomotor Training
A robotic stepping device in concert with a body weight support system and treadmill is used by a physical therapist and trainers for the participant with spinal cord injury to intensely practice task-specific standing and stepping to advance retraining the capacity to step. The robotic device provides the appropriate kinematics associated with standing and stepping.
A body weight support system and treadmill is used by a physical therapist and trainers for the participant with spinal cord injury to intensely practice task-specific standing and stepping to advance retraining the capacity to step. Therapists and trainers promote the appropriate kinematics associated with standing and stepping.