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Enhancing Balance and Mobility in Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Spinal Cord Injuries
Walking, Difficulty
Interventions
Device: Balance Training
Registration Number
NCT06137443
Lead Sponsor
Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of balance therapy with an overground gait trainer in incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Is balance therapy with an overground gait trainer effective in improving functional ambulation in SCI?

* Is balance therapy with an overground gait trainer effective in enhancing Activities of Daily Living in SCI?

Participants treated with either:

• Overground gait trainer along with conventional exercise therapy

Detailed Description

Background: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and similar pathologies not only negatively affect a person's ability to walk but also have adverse effects on their participation in social, vocational, and recreational activities. The correction of walking impairments resulting from SCI is one of the most important goals of rehabilitation, as it is essential for a person's social and vocational integration. When considering balance function, the use of challenging balance and walking exercises at an adequate level is necessary to trigger motor learning. Ensuring the patient's safety is the primary priority when using advanced balance and walking exercises based on the patient's current condition. In this study, Andago V2.0 (Hocoma AG, Volketswil, Switzerland) has been preferred for ensuring safety by adapting to patient movements. The main objective of the study was to assess the impact of Andago on balance in patients with motor incomplete SCI. The secondary aim was to evaluate its influence on quality of life and independence. Methods: The study included five participants who were over 18 years of age and had experienced a spinal injury within the past year. These participants were classified as AIS D (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale). Patients underwent eight-week treatment, with walking and balance exercises on Andago performed three days a week. In addition, conventional in-bed exercises, including stretching, strengthening, and mobility exercises, were administered for 40 minutes, two days a week. Modified Borg Scale (MBS), Ten-Meter Walking Test (10MWT), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Walking Index in Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI II), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for fear of falling, Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III), World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Short Form (WHOQOL - BREF) were used for evaluation.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
5
Inclusion Criteria
  • Spinal Cord Injured below T4
  • Time from injury < 1 year
  • D level on AIS (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale)
  • Patients with spinal stabilization
Exclusion Criteria
  • Osteoporosis
  • An implanted electronic device
  • other neurological diseases
  • Cardio-pulmonary diseases
  • Orthopedic diseases

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Balance TrainingBalance TrainingThe study included five participants who were over 18 years of age and had experienced a spinal injury within the past year. These participants were classified as AIS D (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale). Patients underwent treatment for eight weeks, with walking and balance exercises on Andago performed three days a week. In addition, conventional in-bed exercises, including stretching, strengthening, and mobility exercises, were administered for 40 minutes, two days a week.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Berg Balance Scale11 months

Berg Balance Scale for balance assessment

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Ten-Meter Walking Test11 months

Ten-Meter Walking Test for overground walking speed assessment

Walking Index in Spinal Cord Injury II11 months

Walking Index in Spinal Cord Injury II for walking independence level assessment

Visual Analogue Scale11 months

Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for fear of falling assessment

Timed Up and Go Test11 months

Timed Up and Go Test overground walking assessment

World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Short Form (WHOQOL - BREF)11 months

World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Short Form (WHOQOL - BREF) for quality of life assessment

Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III)11 months

Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III) for activity of daily living assessment

Modified Borg Scale11 months

Modified Borg Scale for subjective fatigue assessment

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ankara City Hospital

🇹🇷

Ankara, Turkey

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