Novel Multi-System Functional Gains via Task Speciﬁc Training in Spinal Cord Injured Male Rats

JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA, 2014 · DOI: 10.1089/neu.2013.3082 · Published: May 1, 2014

Spinal Cord Injury Urology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates whether step training can improve locomotion, bladder function, and pain in rats with spinal cord injury. The research found that rats who underwent step training showed improvements in limb movement, gait, bladder function (voiding efficiency), and a reduction in pain sensitivity. The study also found that training regulated the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the bladder, which was related to improved bladder function.

Study Duration

3 Months

Participants

16 adult male Wistar rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Step training significantly improved limb kinematics, gait, and hindlimb flexor-extensor bursting patterns in rats with spinal cord injury.
2
Micturition function was significantly improved in the step trained group, with increased voiding efficiency, intercontraction interval, and contraction amplitude.
3
Step training led to a significant decrease in at-level allodynia (pain sensitivity) compared to non-trained controls.

Research Summary

This study demonstrates that step training post-SCI in rats results in multi-system functional gains, including improved locomotion, bladder function, and reduced pain. The researchers found that step training regulated the expression of NGF in the bladder and improved bladder function. These findings suggest that step training post-SCI could contribute to multiple quality of life gains, targeting patient-centered high-priority deficits.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategy

Step training post-SCI can be used as a rehabilitation strategy to improve multiple functional systems.

Quality of Life

The gains in locomotion, bladder function, and pain reduction can lead to a significant improvement in the quality of life for individuals with SCI.

Targeted Therapy

Step training can be a targeted therapy for addressing patient-centered high-priority deficits post-SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Only male rats were used in this study, limiting the generalizability to females.
2
The mechanisms contributing to improved bladder function with step training post-SCI in the current study are unknown
3
Assessing function well beyond the end of training is an important future experiment.

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