Objective: Little is known regarding the extent to which mobility can be improved using gait-based therapies in individuals with complete spinal cord injury (cSCI). Against this backdrop, the purpose of our study was to document changes in walking capacity following an extended period of underwater treadmill training (UTT) and supplemental overground walk training (OWT) in persons with cSCI.
Design: Longitudinal design.
Setting: University research center.
Participants: Five adults (mean age = 41.2 ± 5.9 years) with motor-complete (AIS A), chronic (mean years post-injury = 3.2 ± 1.6 years) cSCI who had not received epidural spinal cord stimulation (eSCS).
Intervention: Participants underwent one year of UTT (3 walking bouts per day; 2-3 days per week). Once independent stepping activity in the water was observed, OWT, as tolerated, was performed prior to UTT.
Outcome measure: Walking capacity was evaluated using the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI-II) prior to UTT (Time 1: T1), six months after the start of UTT (Time 2: T2), and following completion of UTT (Time 3: T3).
Results: Non-parametric analyses revealed a significant time effect (P < .05) for WISCI-II. Pre-planned comparisons revealed no difference in WISCI-II levels measured at T1 (0.20 ± 0.45) and T2 (4.80 ± 4.55) and at T2 (4.80 ± 4.55) and T3 (8.40 ± 1.34). However, the WISCI-II level obtained at T3 (8.40 ± 1.34) was significantly higher compared to the T1 value.
Conclusion: Our preliminary findings demonstrate that in the absence of eSCS, combined UTT and supplemental OWT can improve functional walking capacity in adults with cSCI.
Keywords: Aquatic exercise; Disability; Mobility; Spinal cord injury; Walking.