Effects of overground locomotor training on the ventilatory response to volitional treadmill walking in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury: a pilot study

Spinal Cord Series and Cases, 2017 · DOI: 10.1038/scsandc.2017.11 · Published: April 13, 2017

Spinal Cord Injury Pulmonology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study examines how locomotor training affects breathing patterns in people with incomplete spinal cord injuries. It looks at the transition from rest to walking and how consistently people breathe during exercise. Researchers measured breathing rate, tidal volume, and minute ventilation before and after a 12–15 week overground locomotor training program. They wanted to see if training could improve the way people breathe during exercise. The study found that after training, people with spinal cord injuries showed less variability in their breathing during exercise, even though overall breathing rate and volume didn't change much.

Study Duration

12-15 weeks

Participants

Six subjects with cervical motor incomplete spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Most individuals with cervical miSCI in our study did not show a phasic ventilatory response to treadmill walking at preferred walking speed before or after OLT.
2
Following OLT, there was a substantial reduction in VE variability.
3
There were no changes in averaged VE, VT and Bf following OLT training despite the observed changes in variability.

Research Summary

This study investigated the effects of overground locomotor training (OLT) on the ventilatory response to treadmill walking in individuals with motor incomplete spinal cord injury (miSCI). The key finding was that OLT reduced the variability in minute ventilation (VE) during constant work rate (CWR) treadmill walking, even though overall VE, tidal volume (VT), and breathing frequency (Bf) did not significantly change. The authors suggest that the reduction in VE variability may indicate improved synchronized function between the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities or improved ventilatory muscle efficiency.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategies

Incorporate exercises that target ventilatory adaptations alongside traditional mobility improvements.

Clinical Monitoring

Assess ventilatory variability in addition to standard pulmonary measures to gain a more comprehensive understanding of respiratory function.

Future Research

Investigate different training modalities and the underlying mechanisms contributing to ventilatory variability in this population.

Study Limitations

1
No measures were taken of the lung volumes, posture or thoracic/abdominal compliance
2
Low work rates may not represent a substantial enough change from resting ventilation
3
Results are from a single bout of testing which introduces day-to-day variability

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