The purpose of this study is: (1) to establish assessment techniques (in our laboratory) to identify the functional integrity of long spinal tracts associated with adaptive walking recovery post-spinal cord injury and (2) to preliminary investigate locomotor outcomes associated with an adaptive locomotor training approach post-spinal cord injury.
Eligible individuals without spinal cord injury that are enrolled in the study will participate for 1-2 days. These individuals may undergo a variety of non-invasive neurophysiological tests which evaluate spinal reflexes and integrity of specific spinal pathways. In addition, their movement may be assessed during walking on a treadmill and overground in a variety of different conditions (e.g. with mirrors, without mirrors, with obstacles, without obstacles). Eligible individuals with spinal cord injury that are enrolled in the study will undergo the same testing as described above for the healthy controls. In addition, a small subset of these individuals may receive locomotor training (3 weeks of basic locomotor training followed by 3 weeks of adaptive locomotor training, separated by a 3 week washout period). For the individuals receiving locomotor training, they will be tested before and after each 3 week training session.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
7
Individuals are provided manual assistance for intense, task-specific stepping practice on a treadmill and overground.
Individuals with and without spinal cord injury will be evaluated to develop protocols within our laboratory to assess reflexes (spinal tract integrity), walking ability, and whether mirror images during walking enhance or disrupt motor responses during walking.
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Brooks Rehabilitation
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
James A. Haley VA Medical Center
Tampa, Florida, United States
Changes in joint movement (Kinematics)
During walking on the treadmill and overground, movement of lower extremity joints (hip, knee, and ankle) will be quantified using reflective markers and a 3D motion analysis system.
Time frame: At approximately 0 weeks (pre-LT#1), 3 weeks (post-LT#1), 6 weeks (pre-LT#2) and 9 weeks (post-LT#2). Times may vary slightly if training sessions are missed (i.e. due to illness).
Changes in falls risks during adaptive walking challenges
Individuals will be tested on a special treadmill that perturbs walking and makes indirect measurements related to falls risks
Time frame: At approximately 0 weeks (pre-LT#1), 3 weeks (post-LT#1), 6 weeks (pre-LT#2) and 9 weeks (post-LT#2). Times may vary slightly if training sessions are missed (i.e. due to illness).
Changes in functional integrity of spinal pathways
Non-invasive protocols will be used to test a variety of reflexes that provide indirect measures related to the integrity of specific spinal pathways.
Time frame: At approximately 0 weeks (pre-LT#1), 3 weeks (post-LT#1), 6 weeks (pre-LT#2) and 9 weeks (post-LT#2). Times may vary slightly if training sessions are missed (i.e. due to illness).
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