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Updated: Aug 3, 2026
Training Persons with Spinal Cord Injury to Ambulate Using a Powered Exoskeleton
Published on: June 16, 2016
[Gait training in incomplete spinal cord injuries with body weight support]
M Alcobendas-Maestro1, E López-Dolado, A Esclarín de Ruz
1Servicio de Rehabilitación, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, Toledo, Spain. malcob@iespana.es
Introduction:
A spinal cord injury implies the loss of or alteration to the gait pattern. Stimulating the pattern generating centres in the sublesional spinal cord determines the appearance of flexion and extension automatisms that are useful for gait training in patients with spinal cord injuries. These centres can be stimulated using a treadmill and supporting the body weight by means of a harness.
Aims:
To be able to trigger spinal cord automatisms and to stimulate pattern generating centres. To determine the value of an electromechanical system for mobilising the lower limbs as a complement to the treadmill and body weight support. To study changes in muscle tone.
Patients And Methods:
A short gait training programming was carried out with ten individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries who satisfied eligibility-exclusion criteria using a treadmill in association with a body weight support system and an electromechanical system for mobilising the lower limbs.
Results And Conclusions:
Spinal cord flexion and extension automatisms were stimulated and an important improvement in spasticity was achieved. Longer programmes are needed in order to evidence changes in the gait pattern and in muscular balance.
