Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA | [b] School of Pharmacy & Health Professions, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Daniel L. Young, PT, DPT, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 453029, Las Vegas, NV 89154-3029, USA. Tel.: +1 702 895 2704; Fax: +1 702 895 4883; E-mail: daniel.young@unlv.edu
Abstract: Introduction:Body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) using high treatment frequency has been shown to improve gait after spinal cord injury (SCI). This case report describes the use of BWSTT at a very low treatment frequency. Subject:The subject was a 19 y.o. female with an incomplete C6 SCI, one year post-injury, with multiple gait deficits. Intervention:BWSTT was combined with conventional rehabilitation. Mean treatment frequency was 1.16 days/wk over 28.5 wks. A BWSTT progression algorithm based on observational gait analysis guided progressive changes in support levels, treadmill speed, and session length. Outcomes:During the first 3 sessions, the subject tolerated an average of 15.7 minutes of BWSTT with 26% BWS at 0.8 m/s, improving to an average of 28 minutes of BWSTT with 10% BWS at 1.6 m/s in the last 3 sessions. Following 28.5 wks of very low frequency BWSTT, the subject displayed improved kinematics, walking speed, endurance, and distance during overground gait. Conclusion:Very low frequency BWSTT combined with conventional treatment improved quality and endurance of walking for a person with incomplete cervical SCI. Further work is needed to evaluate the long-term outcome of very low frequency BWSTT and the interaction of BWSTT with other interventions.
Keywords: Spinal cord injury, body weight support, gait, treadmill training
