VR-Integrated C-Mill® Combined With Conventional Therapy in Motor-Incomplete SCI

Overview

This study investigates the effects of C-Mill® treadmill training, which integrates virtual reality and gamified tasks, combined with conventional physiotherapy, on walking ability, mobility, functional independence, and health-related quality of life in individuals with motor-incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). Participants are adults aged 18 years or older with injury at the T4 level or below, classified as American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale grade C or D, and with ICD-10 codes S24.73-S24.77 or S34.70. Individuals with a history of osteoporosis, cardiopulmonary disease, other neurological disorders, joint-related conditions, or concurrent participation in another study are excluded. All participants complete a 4-week integrated rehabilitation program at a specialized spinal cord injury center. The program consists of 10 C-Mill® sessions in addition to conventional physiotherapy, targeting balance, gait, and walking speed through task-specific training and individualized exercises to improve mobility, strength, and functional skills.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) limits mobility and independence, creating substantial physical and psychological burdens. Virtual reality and gamified treadmill systems such as the C-Mill® may enhance walking rehabilitation through task-specific and engaging practice. This observational study investigated the effects of C-Mill® treadmill training combined with conventional physiotherapy on walking ability, mobility, functional independence, and health-related quality of life in individuals with motor-incomplete SCI (iSCI). The C-Mill® system provides task-specific, engaging, and safe walking practice through real-time visual feedback and interactive scenarios designed to improve balance, gait speed, and obstacle negotiation. Participants were adults aged 18 years or older, with spinal cord injury at the T4 level or below, classified as American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale grade C or D. ICD-10 codes for inclusion ranged from S24.73 to S24.77 or S34.70. Individuals were in the chronic phase of iSCI and were excluded if they had a history of osteoporosis, cardiopulmonary disease, other neurological disorders, joint-related conditions, or concurrent participation in another study. All participants completed a 4-week integrated rehabilitation program at a specialized spinal cord injury center. The program consisted of 10 C-Mill® training sessions in addition to conventional physiotherapy. Each C-Mill® session included activities targeting static and dynamic balance, stride regulation, and safe gait adaptation, with progressive difficulty tailored to each participant's abilities. Conventional therapy included individualized physiotherapy exercises focusing on mobility, strength, and functional skills to support walking performance and independence.