Improvements in bladder, bowel and sexual outcomes following task-specific locomotor training in human spinal cord injury

This study investigates whether locomotor training (LT) can improve bladder, bowel, and sexual function in humans with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). The study enrolled eight SCI research participants who were undergoing locomotor training (LT) on a treadmill using body-weight support. Urodynamic assessments were performed and International Data Set questionnaire forms completed for bladder, bowel and sexual functions at pre-and post-training time points. Four usual care (non-trained; regular at-home routine) research participants were also enrolled in this study and had the same assessments collected twice, at least 3 months apart. The results suggest that locomotor training can positively benefit the neural circuitries controlling urogenital and bowel functions. These results underscore the power of LT for not only motor rehabilitation but for the benefit of multiple non-locomotor systems, including those involving autonomic functions.

• 1
  Filling cystometry documented significant increases in bladder capacity, voiding efficiency and detrusor contraction time as well as significant decreases in voiding pressure post-training relative to baseline.
• 2
  Questionnaires revealed a decrease in the frequency of nocturia and urinary incontinence for several research participants as well as a significant decrease in time required for defecation and a significant increase in sexual desire post-training.
• 3
  Novel sensations below lesion post-training in one AIS A research participant suggests the existence and perhaps training-induced activation of dormant intact axons traversing the lesion.