Repetitive Task Training For Enhancing Gait And Functional Performance In Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: An Experimental Study

Background: Traumatic spinal injury (TSI, injury to spinal column, spinal cord, or both) commonly leads to significant impairment in the quality of life of an individual. The global incidence of TSI was 10.5 cases per 100000 people resulting in an estimated 768473 new cases of TSI increase annually worldwide. Conventional rehabilitation primarily provides compensatory strategies for accomplishing mobility and strengthening above the level of the lesion. Recently, new approaches to facilitate locomotor recovery have been explored in humans using locomotor training that optimizes sensory information associated with locomotionMethod: The Subjects with spinal cord injury with neurologic lesion level below T8. Patients satisfying inclusion criteria. Patients aged between 20-55yrs, Chronic patients (more than 3 months) Complete &incomplete SCI (type A, B, C on ASIA scale. Patients were able to understand English and Hindi. A total 20 patients with Spinal cord injury included in the study. Patients received repetitive task training in high for more than 2 hours 5 times in a week. Pre intervention measurements of ABC (activity specific balance confidence scale), TUG (timed up and go test), SCIM (spinal cord injury independence measure), WISCI II (Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II) , 6 min walk test were carried out for each patient. All the subjects received interventions for 3 months. The final reading was taken after 3 monthsResult: The data was calculated by SPSS software a paired t- test were applied. Statistically and graphically significant change is seen in pre and post treatment values of TUG, ABC, WISCI II, 6minute walk test and SCIMS within the group. Training shows significant improvement and results individually in TUG, 6 Min Walk Test, ABC, WISCI II, SCIM which is proved statistically and graphicallyConclusion: This study demonstrates that Repetitive Task Training is effective in improving the walking competency and functional performance in subjects with chronic spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia. However, the significant difference in post treatment values of subjects with ASIA grade B&C showed improvement in their walking ability and functional activities. Hence, Repetitive Task Training in chronic spinal cord injury patients can also be a choice of treatment for improving walking competency and functional performance in paraplegics