Device use, locomotor training, and the presence of arm swing during treadmill walking post-spinal cord injury

This study looks at arm swing during walking in people with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). Arm swing is a natural part of walking, but it's not clear how it's affected by SCI. The researchers wanted to see if people with iSCI still had arm swing, what factors were linked to it, and whether locomotor training (LT) could change it. LT is a type of therapy that helps people relearn how to walk. The study found that many people with iSCI didn't have arm swing during treadmill walking. However, LT seemed to help some people regain it. This suggests that arm swing can be improved with training.

• 1
  Arm swing was absent during treadmill-based stepping in 60% of the individuals with iSCI
• 2
  Individuals using no device, a cane, or crutches were more likely to demonstrate arm movement during treadmill stepping than individuals who use wheelchairs, rolling platform walkers, or walkers for community ambulation.
• 3
  Of the 16 individuals initially lacking arm swing pre-LT, 8 independently integrated arm swing post-LT.