Multimodal cortical and subcortical exercise compared with treadmill training for spinal cord injury.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Spared fibers after spinal cord injury (SCI) tend to consist predominantly of subcortical circuits that are not under volitional (cortical) control. We aim to improve function after SCI by using targeted physical exercises designed to simultaneously stimulate cortical and spared subcortical neural circuits.

Methods

Participants with chronic motor-incomplete SCI enrolled in a single-center, prospective interventional crossover study. Participants underwent 48 sessions each of weight-supported robotic-assisted treadmill training and a novel combination of balance and fine hand exercises, in randomized order, with a 6-week washout period. Change post-intervention was measured for lower extremity motor score, soleus H-reflex facilitation; seated balance fu

SUBMITTER: Martinez SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6084979 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature