Model System:

SCI

Reference Type:

JA

Accession No.:

J46175.

Journal:


Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 17, 3, 153-167

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Article describes the design and methodology of the Spinal Cord Injury Locomotor Trial (SCILT), the first multisite, randomized controlled trial in the United States to examine the effects of body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on locomotion after spinal cord injury. BWSTT allows physical therapists to systematically train patients to walk on a treadmill at increasing speeds typical of community walking with increasing weight bearing. Within 8 weeks of a SCI, 146 subjects entered 12 weeks of intervention. Subjects were randomly assigned to a conventional therapy program for mobility versus the same intensity and duration of a combination of BWSTT and over-ground locomotor retraining. The 2 single-blinded primary outcome measures are the level of independence for ambulation and for those who are able to walk, the maximal speed for walking 50 feet, assessed at 6 and 12 months after randomization.

Author(s):


Dobkin, Bruce H., Apple, David, Barbeau, Hugues, Basso, Michele, Behrman, Andrea, Deforge, Dan, Ditunno, John, Dudley, Gary, Elashoff, Robert, Fugate, Lisa, Harkema, Susan, Saulino, Michael, Scott, Michael

Participating Centers: