This study aims to investigate the effect of locomotor training using an antigravity treadmill on cardiorespiratory fitness and lower limb function in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury.
Sixty patients with incomplete spinal cord injury will be randomly assigned into two equal groups: the experimental group and the control group. Participants will be adults diagnosed with incomplete spinal cord injury classified as ASIA C or D. The experimental group will receive locomotor training using an antigravity treadmill in addition to conventional physiotherapy rehabilitation for 12 weeks. The control group will receive conventional physiotherapy rehabilitation only. The antigravity treadmill training program will be performed three sessions per week. Training intensity and body-weight support will be progressively adjusted according to patient tolerance and functional improvement. Cardiorespiratory fitness will be evaluated using cardiopulmonary exercise testing and functional endurance assessments. Lower limb function will be assessed using gait and balance outcome measures.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
60
Antigravity treadmill for gait training
gait training between Parallel bar Balance Exercise
Cardiorespiratory fitness
Cardiopulmonary fitness will be measured by Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) to assess the integrated function of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and muscular systems during exercise. The gold-standard parameter obtained from CPET is: VO₂max VO₂max: Maximum rate of oxygen consumption achieved during maximal exercise. Units: mL/kg/min
Time frame: At base line and 12 weeks
Lower Limb Function
Lower limb function will be measured by 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) is a simple and reliable measure of walking speed, Assesses: Gait speed Procedure Mark a 10-meter walkway. The patient will walks at: Comfortable/self-selected speed (usual gait speed) Walking Speed (m/s)= Distance (m) /Time (s)
Time frame: At base line and 12 weeks
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