Hindlimb stretching alters locomotor function after spinal cord injury in the adult rat.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Stretching is a widely accepted standard-of-care therapy following spinal cord injury (SCI) that has not been systematically studied in animal models.

Objective

To investigate the influence of a daily stretch-based physical therapy program on locomotor recovery in adult rats with moderate T9 contusive SCI.

Methods

A randomized treatment and control study of stretching in an animal model of acute SCI. Moderate SCIs were delivered with the NYU Impactor. Daily stretching (30 min/day, 5 days/wk for 8 weeks) was provided by a team of animal handlers. Hindlimb function was assessed using the BBB Open Field Locomotor Scale and kinematically. Passive range-of-motion for each joint was determined weekly using a goniometer.

Results

Declines in hindlimb functio

SUBMITTER: Caudle KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4312740 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar-Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature