Training of Eccentric Lower Extremity Function After SCI
Spinal Cord Injury
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Spinal Cord Injury
Eligibility Criteria
Individuals with SCI:
Inclusion Criteria:
- medically approved
- discharged from outpatient rehabilitation for 6 months
- incomplete SCI based on ASIA impairment score (AIS C or D) at neurologic level C1-T10
- ability to take some steps overground and on the treadmill
- 18-90 years old.
- ability to speak English. Note: the quality of life measures have not been validated yet in non-English speaking populations.
Exclusion Criteria:
- evidence of lower motor neuron injury in the legs
- use of botox in the past 3 months
- pre-existing or confounding neurologic conditions (i.e. brain injury, stroke, HIV)
- acute deep vein thrombosis
- skin wounds in regions where harness or hands provide support
- pregnancy. Note: Persons who are pregnant will not be enrolled as exercise tolerance is unknown in these women with SCI.
- cognitive conditions that preclude providing informed consent
- ventilator-dependence as study results will be confounded by mobility limitations imposed by equipment
- persistent orthostatic hypotension (drop of BP >30mmHg in treadmill and harness equipment)
- hospitalization for myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery or congestive heart failure exacerbation within 3 months of enrollment in study
- participation in any other concurrent exercise programs.
Note: Use of anti-spasticity and other medications (dose, frequency) will be monitored throughout training and used as a confounding variable in the analyses.
Sites / Locations
- D Michele basso
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
No Intervention
No Intervention
Experimental
Control
Unexercised SCI Knee or Hip
Trained SCI Knee or Trained SCI Hip
Individuals with no spinal cord injury or other neurological deficits.
Individuals with spinal cord injury who have been discharged from a locomotor training program at least 6 months prior to enrollment in this study. This group will serve as unexercised control for the "Trained SCI Knee" group or "trained SCI Hip" group
Individuals with spinal cord injury who have been discharged from a locomotor training program at least 6 months prior to enrollment in this study. Training will specifically focus on rehabilitation of the knee joint or the hip joint.