Robotic Gait Training in Spinal Cord Injury

Objectives: To show epidemiological characteristics in all patients treated with lokomat since 2006, and to compare a walking reeducation program using Lokomat with conventional overground training among individuals with incomplete SCI. Materials and methods: A total of 80 participants from 3 to 6 months were included in a single-blind randomized clinical trial of 2 parallel groups, with blind evaluation by independent observers. Patients received 40 walking reeducation sessions of equal time using a Lokomat program with overground practice or overground mobility therapy alone. Primary measurements of outcome were walking speed and the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI II). Secondary outcomes were the 6-minute walk test, locomotor section of the Functional Independence Measure, Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS). Results: outcomes measures were significant better in thoracic lesion with Lokomat training and in cervical patients with conventional program. Conclusions: thoracic incomplete lesions could be the subgroup with greater utilization of the programs with robotic-assisted body weight-supported treadmill training systems.