Walking Adaptability Post-Spinal Cord Injury
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Hospital |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 5/3/2014 |
| Start Date: | June 2013 |
| End Date: | February 2015 |
| Contact: | Nicole J Tester, PhD |
| Email: | ntester@phhp.ufl.edu |
| Phone: | 352-376-1611 |
Adaptive Walking Responses Critical for Effective Community Ambulation Post-Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
The purpose of this study is: (1) to establish assessment techniques (in our laboratory) to
identify the functional integrity of long spinal tracts associated with adaptive walking
recovery post-spinal cord injury and (2) to preliminary investigate locomotor outcomes
associated with an adaptive locomotor training approach post-spinal cord injury.
identify the functional integrity of long spinal tracts associated with adaptive walking
recovery post-spinal cord injury and (2) to preliminary investigate locomotor outcomes
associated with an adaptive locomotor training approach post-spinal cord injury.
Eligible individuals without spinal cord injury that are enrolled in the study will
participate for 1-2 days. These individuals may undergo a variety of non-invasive
neurophysiological tests which evaluate spinal reflexes and integrity of specific spinal
pathways. In addition, their movement may be assessed during walking on a treadmill and
overground in a variety of different conditions (e.g. with mirrors, without mirrors, with
obstacles, without obstacles).
Eligible individuals with spinal cord injury that are enrolled in the study will undergo the
same testing as described above for the healthy controls. In addition, a small subset of
these individuals may receive locomotor training (3 weeks of basic locomotor training
followed by 3 weeks of adaptive locomotor training, separated by a 3 week washout period).
For the individuals receiving locomotor training, they will be tested before and after each
3 week training session.
participate for 1-2 days. These individuals may undergo a variety of non-invasive
neurophysiological tests which evaluate spinal reflexes and integrity of specific spinal
pathways. In addition, their movement may be assessed during walking on a treadmill and
overground in a variety of different conditions (e.g. with mirrors, without mirrors, with
obstacles, without obstacles).
Eligible individuals with spinal cord injury that are enrolled in the study will undergo the
same testing as described above for the healthy controls. In addition, a small subset of
these individuals may receive locomotor training (3 weeks of basic locomotor training
followed by 3 weeks of adaptive locomotor training, separated by a 3 week washout period).
For the individuals receiving locomotor training, they will be tested before and after each
3 week training session.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 years or older
- no neurologic injury (for individuals without SCI)
- >12 mos post-incomplete SCI (iSCI), discharged from in- and out-patient
rehabilitation, with diagnosis of first time motor iSCI (AIS C or D with upper motor
neuron lesions at cervical or thoracic levels) (for individuals with SCI)
- medically stable condition with no changes in anti-spasticity meds
- ability to walk in the home and/or ambulate in the community using a single cane or
crutch, bilateral canes or crutches, or no device
- walking speeds > 0.3 m/sec, with deficit performance on the Dynamic Gait Index
- medically approved for participation
Exclusion Criteria:
- current participation in another rehabilitation program/research protocol
- history of congenital SCI or other degenerative spinal disorders
- inappropriate or unsafe fit of the harness and/or joint contractures or severe
spasticity that would prohibit the safe provision of training
- receipt of a therapeutic intervention or medication within the last 6 mos that would
alter the nervous system's ability to respond to treatment (e.g. Botox injections)
- unable to safely receive transcranial magnetic stimulation due to positive history
which prohibits its use
We found this trial at
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