Stepping Training Using External Feedback in Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Effects of Stepping Training With External Feedback on Walking and Functional Ability in Ambulatory Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

Does a 4-week stepping training program with or without external feedback clinically change functional ability and reduce risk of fall of ambulatory patients with iSCI?

Are there significant differences between 4-weeks stepping training with or without external feedback in ambulatory patients with iSCI?

To compare effects of 4-week stepping training with or without external feedback on functional ability and incidence of falls in ambulatory patients with iSCI (between-group comparison).

To compare the change of functional ability in a group of 4-week stepping training with or without the utility of external feedback (within-group comparison).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Independent ambulatory patients with iSCI
• Non-traumatic or traumatic causes
• Independent walking with or without assistive devices at least 17 meters (Functional Independence Measure Locomotor (FIM-L) scores 5-7)
• Age at least 18 years
• Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 - 29.9 kg/m2.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any conditions or disorders that might affect ability to participate in the study and/or ambulatory ability of the subjects such as

  • Brain function disorders
  • Visual deficits that cannot be corrected using glasses or contact lens
  • Musculoskeletal pain (with an intensity of pain more than 5 out of 10 on a numerical rating pain scale)
  • Deformity of the musculoskeletal system
  • Unable to follow a command of the tests
  • Unstable medical conditions
  • Color blindness