Phase II Randomized Pilot Study of Body Weight Support and Treadmill Training for Chronic Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVES: I. Assess the ability of patients with and without sensorimotor loss below the thoracic spinal cord injury to execute coordinated whole-limb synergies sufficient for walking with full or partial weight support.

II. Promote weight bearing, balance, and reciprocal leg movement in these patients.

III. Elicit synchronized motor output within and between limbs in these patients.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Spinal Cord Injury
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Exercise

Detailed Description

PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This is a controlled, prospective study. Patients pairs matched for strata are randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups. Patients are stratified into pairs by age, time since onset, Frankel grade, and Motor Score Index.

One group receives body weight-supported treadmill training immediately after baseline clinical, biomechanical, and physiological measures. The second group is the control; baseline measures are identical but training is delayed for 3 months.

Patients in both groups receive training 3 days/week for 3 months. Initial treadmill velocity is 18 meters/minute; velocity is increased in increments of 6 meters/minute until the maximum speed is achieved at which each patient exhibits the best locomotor capability at full weight bearing. Patients are trained with the minimal weight support assistance necessary for effective limb progression without excessive knee flexion or hyperextension. Polypropylene ankle-foot orthosis is allowed.

Patients are re-tested after maximal treadmill velocity is achieved: following clonidine once a day for 3 days; clonidine twice a day for 3 days; cyproheptadine for 3 days; and an increased dose of cyproheptadine for 3 days. There is a 3-day washout between clonidine and cyproheptadine testing.

Patients are not advanced if they experience adverse cardiovascular effects during therapy. No concurrent therapeutic exercise for the lower extremities is allowed.

Kinematic, temporal, kinetic, spasticity, Frankel grading, Motor Index Score, metabolic, and functional outcome measures are evaluated at 3 and 6 months.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 26
• Phase: Phase 2

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 16 years to 60 years (Child, Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:

--Disease Characteristics-- Traumatic or ischemic spinal cord injury Single lesion between thoracic vertebrae 1 and 12 Confirmed by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging At least 12 months since onset of injury Motor recovery as follows: Ability to step not recovered OR Abnormal gait and maximum walking speed below one-half normal slow casual velocity of 60 meters/minute --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- At least 3 months since completion of outpatient physical therapy Antispasticity agents tapered to lowest dose that limits flexor or extensor spasms interfering with sitting or comfort --Patient Characteristics-- Age: 16 to 60 Other: No clinically significant depression No drug abuse No urinary tract infection No painful musculoskeletal dysfunction, e.g., contracture or unhealed fracture No pressure sore No other medical contraindication to treadmill training, e.g.: Cardiopulmonary disease Dysautonomia

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
• Collaborators: University of California, Los Angeles
• Investigators: Study Chair: Bruce Dobkin, University of California, Los Angeles

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: July 1, 1995

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 24, 2000
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 24, 2000
• First Posted (Estimate): February 25, 2000

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): June 24, 2005
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 23, 2005
• Last Verified: December 1, 2001

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: neurologic and psychiatric disorders; rare disease; spinal cord injury; environmental/toxic disorders
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Wounds and Injuries; Trauma, Nervous System; Spinal Cord Diseases; Spinal Cord Injuries
• Other Study ID Numbers: 199/12017; UCLA-9202060