Locomotor training after human spinal cord injury: a series of case studies

Many individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) do not regain their ability to walk, even though it is a primary goal of rehabilitation. Mammals with thoracic spinal cord transection can relearn to step with their hind limbs on a treadmill when trained with sensory input associated with stepping. If humans have similar neural mechanisms for locomotion, then providing comparable training may promote locomotor recovery after SCI. We used locomotor training designed to provide sensory information associated with locomotion to improve stepping and walking in adults after SCI. Four adults with SCIs, with a mean postinjury time of 6 months, received locomotor training. Based on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale and neurological classification standards, subject 1 had a T5 injury classified as ASIA A, subject 2 had a T5 injury classified as ASIA C, subject 3 had a C6 injury classified as ASIA D, and subject 4 had a T9 injury classified as ASIA D. All subjects improved their stepping on a treadmill. One subject achieved overground walking, and 2 subjects improved their overground walking. Locomotor training using the response of the human spinal cord to sensory information related to locomotion may improve the potential recovery of walking after SCI.     

外伤致脊髓损伤患者的康复期护理

目的:探讨外伤后脊髓损伤患者康复期的护理要点。方法:通过康复治疗小组进行治疗及心理支持,对108例外伤后脊髓损伤康复期患者实施各种康复护理措施。对可能出现的各种并发症,护士及早的康复介入,循序渐进,进行防治。结果:经过康复护理的早期介入,提高了脊髓损伤患者的生活质量,调动了脊髓损伤患者的主动性,发挥其残存功能,帮助他们重归家庭和社会。结论:外伤后脊髓损伤患者的康复,要尽早开始,减少并发症,并依靠患者自身的努力,改善生活自理能力。     

Nontraumatic spinal cord injury: demographic characteristics and complications

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the demographic characteristics and complications of nontraumatic spinal cord injury (NT/SCI), to compare patients who were admitted for initial rehabilitation with readmission rehabilitation patients, to compare our findings with those of other studies, and to develop a model to predict the length of stay (LOS). DESIGN: Retrospective, 3-year, case series. SETTING: Tertiary medical unit specializing in SCI rehabilitation in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive sample of 134 adult referred inpatients with NT/SCI (58% women; median age, 61y). Patients requiring initial rehabilitation or readmission were included. INTERVENTION: Chart review. Main Outcomes Measures: Demographic characteristics, neurologic injury, etiology, comorbidities, and complications of NT/SCI. RESULTS: The most common cause of NT/SCI was tumor (20.1%), but there were many different etiologies. Tetraplegia occurred in 32.8% of patients, and 56% had motor incomplete injuries. Most patients (63%) had at least 1 complication, including urinary tract infection (32.8%), pressure ulcer (31.5%), and pain (18.7%). Initial rehabilitation patients were significantly older (initial median, 69y vs readmission median, 54y; P=.0001). A multivariate model for LOS was able to predict 52% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: NT/SCI rehabilitation patients have a different demographic profile compared with traumatic SCI (T/SCI) patients and a lower prevalence of many of the complications that affect T/SCI patients. There are differences between initial and readmission patients.     

Trainer variability during step training after spinal cord injury: Implications for robotic gait-training device design

Robotic devices are being developed to automate repetitive aspects of walking retraining after neurological injuries, in part because they might improve the consistency and quality of training. However, it is unclear how inconsistent manual training actually is or whether stepping quality depends strongly on the trainers' manual skill. The objective of this study was to quantify trainer variability of manual skill during step training using body-weight support on a treadmill and assess factors of trainer skill. We attached a sensorized orthosis to one leg of each patient with spinal cord injury and measured the shank kinematics and forces exerted by different trainers during six training sessions. An expert trainer rated the trainers' skill level based on videotape recordings. Between-trainer force variability was substantial, about two times greater than within-trainer variability. Trainer skill rating correlated strongly with two gait features: better knee extension during stance and fewer episodes of toe dragging. Better knee extension correlated directly with larger knee horizontal assistance force, but better toe clearance did not correlate with larger ankle push-up force; rather, it correlated with better knee and hip extension. These results are useful to inform robotic gait-training design.     

Life satisfaction and spinal cord injury: the patient perspective

Spinal cord injury is a high-cost disability requiring numerous personal life-style changes. As a result of advanced medical and nursing care, life expectancy of the spinal cord-injured (SCI) individual has greatly increased. Economic impact and changes in life expectancy have led to assumptions about life satisfaction in SCI individuals. Those assumptions are: (1) spinal cord-injured individuals have less life satisfaction than the general population, and (2) since these individuals cannot lead "normal" lives, they may be better off not living. This study attempted to disprove those assumptions by determining whether correlation existed between life satisfaction and physical functioning in SCI individuals. Telephone interviews were conducted with 31 individuals who had suffered spinal cord injury. Data were collected through the use of the Life Satisfaction in the Elderly Scale (LSES) and the Barthel Index. A correlation was found to exist between LSES scores and Barthel scores, but Barthel scores and the LSES subscale scores for goals, mood and finance had low correlations. The data suggest nurses may enhance life satisfaction in the SCI individual by focusing on adaptation in the three subscales of goals, mood and finance.     

步行训练对不完全性脊髓损伤大鼠损伤部位周围组织可塑性的影响

目的探讨步行训练对不完全性脊髓损伤大鼠损伤部位周围组织可塑性的影响。 方法将雌性SD大鼠24只分为步行训练组和对照组,每组12只,制作第10胸椎段脊髓损伤模型。步行训练组在制作脊髓损伤模型后1周开始进行步行训练,共训练9周;对照组不接受干预。制作模型后每周利用BBB评分评定后肢运动功能,8周后取材进行免疫荧光染色、Western blotting和轴突示踪分析。 结果后肢运动功能：步行训练组在伤后4周（步行训练3周）时,BBB评分较对照组出现明显改善（P<0.05）,一直持续到实验结束（伤后第10周,P<0.01）。损伤部位神经丝(NF)免疫荧光染色分析：对照组胶质瘢痕中可见许多排列比较规则、与脊髓纵轴方向一致的NF阳性纤维穿行,步行训练组除了可见少量NF阳性纤维在胶质瘢痕中穿越,还可见较多的NF阳性纤维围绕空洞边缘延伸,其NF阳性纤维数量明显高于对照组（P<0.05）。损伤部位生长相关蛋白-43（GAP-43）表达：2组损伤部位周围均可见呈红色的排列凌乱的GAP-43表达,步行训练组GAP-43+组织免疫荧光灰度值较对照组高 (P<0.05)。皮质脊髓束再生:2组损伤部位尾侧均未见生物素化葡聚糖胺（BDA）标记的纤维。 结论步行训练能明显增强脊髓损伤大鼠后肢损伤部位组织的可塑性,促进大鼠后肢运动功能恢复,但未能促进皮质脊髓束的再生。     

Biostep运动训练系统在腰髓完全性损伤患者康复训练中的应用

目的:研究在常规康复治疗的基础上,应用Biostep运动康复训练系统对腰髓完全性损伤患者进行运动训练的意义。方法:46例腰髓完全性损伤患者,随机分为Biostep训练组(治疗组)和常规康复训练组(对照组),每组各23例。两组患者均接受常规综合康复治疗,治疗组在此基础上,增加Biostep运动训练治疗。在治疗前和治疗2个月后对两组患者进行ASIA下肢运动评分、脊髓损伤步行指数Ⅱ(WISCIⅡ)、10m步行测试(10MWT)及功能独立性评定(FIM)。结果:两组治疗前后组内比较,治疗后ASIA运动评分、WISCIⅡ、10MWT和FIM评分均有明显提高,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。治疗组在ASIA下肢运动评分、WISCIⅡ和10MWT方面改善均优于对照组,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。结论:常规康复治疗辅以Biostep康复训练系统进行训练,对提高腰髓完全性损伤患者步行功能有重要意义。     

Robotic resistance treadmill training improves locomotor function in human spinal cord injury: a pilot study

Wu M, Landry JM, Schmit BD, Hornby TG, Yen S-C. Robotic resistance treadmill training improves locomotor function in human spinal cord injury: a pilot study.ObjectiveTo determine whether cable-driven robotic resistance treadmill training can improve locomotor function in humans with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI).DesignRepeated assessment of the same patients with crossover design.SettingResearch units of rehabilitation hospitals in Chicago.ParticipantsPatients with chronic incomplete SCI (N=10) were recruited to participate in this study.InterventionsSubjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. One group received 4 weeks of assistance training followed by 4 weeks of resistance training, while the other group received 4 weeks of resistance training followed by 4 weeks of assistance training. Locomotor training was provided by using a cable-driven robotic locomotor training system, which is highly backdrivable and compliant, allowing patients the freedom to voluntarily move their legs in a natural gait pattern during body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT), while providing controlled assistance/resistance forces to the leg during the swing phase of gait.Main Outcome MeasuresPrimary outcome measures were evaluated for each participant before training and after 4 and 8 weeks of training. Primary measures were self-selected and fast overground walking velocity and 6-minute walking distance. Secondary measures included clinical assessments of balance, muscle tone, and strength.ResultsA significant improvement in walking speed and balance in humans with SCI was observed after robotic treadmill training using the cable-driven robotic locomotor trainer. There was no significant difference in walking functional gains after resistance versus assistance training, although resistance training was more effective for higher functioning patients.ConclusionsCable-driven robotic resistance training may be used as an adjunct to BWSTT for improving overground walking function in humans with incomplete SCI, particularly for those patients with relatively high function.     

Cerebral syncope in a patient with spinal cord injury

An 80-year-old patient suffering from traumatic paraplegia due to spinal cord compression was admitted due to recurrent orthostatic syncope. Tilt table testing revealed that the patient lost consciousness without hypotension. Doppler flow measurements of the middle cerebral arteries showed a significant decrease in diastolic velocity during syncope without systemic hypotension. Treatment with beta-blockers was highly effective. The patient suffered from cerebral blood flow disregulation probably due to abnormal baroreceptor responses triggered during orthostatic stress. This is the first reported case of a patient with spinal cord injury suffering from such an unusual cause of syncope.     

Locomotor training progression and outcomes after incomplete spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The use of locomotor training with a body-weight-support system and treadmill (BWST) and manual assistance has increased in rehabilitation. The purpose of this case report is to describe the process for retraining walking in a person with an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) using the BWST and transferring skills from the BWST to overground assessment and community ambulation. CASE DESCRIPTION: Following discharge from rehabilitation, a man with an incomplete SCI at C5-6 and an American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale classification of D participated in 45 sessions of locomotor training. OUTCOMES: Walking speed and independence improved from 0.19 m/s as a home ambulator using a rolling walker and a right ankle-foot orthosis to 1.01 m/s as a full-time ambulator using a cane only for community mobility. Walking activity (mean+/-SD) per 24 hours increased from 1,054+/-543 steps to 3,924+/-1,629 steps. DISCUSSION: In a person with an incomplete SCI, walking ability improved after locomotor training that used a decision-making algorithm and progression across training environments.     

脊髓损伤病人综合膀胱功能训练的效果观察

脊髓损伤是脊柱损伤后的严重并发症,由于椎体骨折脱位,移位的椎体向后或骨片突入椎管,可压迫脊髓或马尾神经,产生不同程度的损伤。受伤平面以下的感觉、运动、反射完全消失,括约肌功能完全丧失,称完全性截瘫,部分丧失时称不完全截瘫[1],两者均可导致膀胱和排尿功能障碍,病人因尿潴留而需在一段时间内留置尿管。我科自2005年以来,对脊髓损伤病人进     

Acute management of the patient with spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injuries are not as common as many other types of injuries. The victims are often young, the injury debilitating, and the effects devastating and incalculable. The acute management of patients with spinal cord injury can significantly affect the patient's eventual neurologic and functional outcome and ultimately their quality of life. Early interventions are aimed at reestablishing physiologic homeostasis, lessening the amount of secondary injury, and preserving neurologic function.     

Within-session responses to high-intensity interval training in spinal cord injury

Aim: Completion of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) increases maximal oxygen uptake and health status, yet its feasibility in persons with spinal cord injury is unknown.

Purpose: To compare changes in cardiorespiratory and metabolic variables between two interval training regimes and moderate intensity exercise.

Method: Nine adults with spinal cord injury (duration?=?6.8?±?6.2?year) initially underwent determination of peak oxygen uptake. During subsequent sessions, they completed moderate intensity exercise, HIIT, or sprint interval training. Oxygen uptake, heart rate, and blood lactate concentration were measured.

Results: Oxygen uptake and heart rate increased (p?p?>?0.05) to moderate intensity exercise. Peak oxygen uptake and heart rate were higher (p?Conclusions: Despite a higher intensity and peak cardiorespiratory strain, all participants preferred interval training versus moderate exercise. Examining long-term efficacy and feasibility of interval training in this population is merited, considering that exercise intensity is recognized as the most important variable factor of exercise programming to optimize maximal oxygen uptake.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Spinal cord injury (SCI) reduces locomotion which impairs voluntary physical activity, typically resulting in a reduction in peak oxygen uptake and enhanced chronic disease risk.

• In various able-bodied populations, completion of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been consistently reported to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and other health-related outcomes, although its efficacy in persons with SCI is poorly understood.

• Data from this study in 9 men and women with SCI show similar changes in oxygen uptake and heart in response to HIIT compared to a prolonged bout of aerobic exercise, although peak values were higher in response to HIIT.

• Due to the higher peak metabolic strain induced by HIIT as well as universal preference for this modality versus aerobic exercise as reported in this study, further work testing utility of HIIT in this population is merited.

     

Wound healing in acute spinal cord injury: effect of anticoagulation

Medical records were surveyed to test the impression that anticoagulation therapy administered to patients hospitalized for acute spinal cord injury impaired wound healing. Records for 25 patients with 26 wounds, located over the sacrum (21), thigh (two), occiput, heel, or buttock (one each), were reviewed. Among 11 wounds not associated with concurrent anticoagulation therapy, healing was delayed beyond 75 days in two patients. Among 15 wounds associated with anticoagulation therapy (heparin or heparin followed by coumarin derivatives), healing was delayed more than 75 days in nine patients (chi 2 = 4.53, p less than 0.05). This association of anticoagulation therapy with impaired wound healing in patients with an acute spinal cord injury suggests that this factor should be considered in future studies of wound healing.     

Critical rehabilitation of the patient with spinal cord injury

Most healthcare practitioners have worked with patients with spinal cord injury at some point in their career, for some it is a specialty. The critical care area usually only has patient with spinal cord injury for a brief time before they are transferred. More recently, there are longer intensive care unit stays due to multiple trauma and lack of insurance. Nurses must be cognizant of indications, contraindications, and best practice interventions to contribute positively to patient's long-term outcomes. As part of the multispecialty team, nurses can be pivotal in preventing secondary complications, especially pressure ulcers. Rehabilitation team members can be consulted early to provide expertise in managing this complex diagnostic group.     

Anesthetic considerations in the patient with acute spinal cord injury

The extent and level of the spinal cord injury as well as the presence of associated injuries affects the choice of anesthetic agents, techniques, and monitoring modalities. The role of the anesthesiologist is not limited only to the administration of anesthesia, but frequently his active participation in the team approach care of the spinal cord injury patient is needed during preoperative treatment and postoperatively in the ICU setting. Understanding of the pathophysiologic changes related to the spinal cord injury helps in the delivery of better anesthetic care for severely handicapped patients.