UPPER LIMB MUSCLE STRENGTH AND WHEELCHAIR-RELATED ABILITIES FOLLOWING AN EXOSKELETON-ASSISTED WALKING PROGRAMME IN INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC SPINAL CORD INJURY: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

This study aimed to measure the potential effects of an overground exoskeleton-assisted walking programme on upper limb strength and mass, as well as on wheelchair propulsion performances and abilities in individuals with spinal cord injury. Ten participants with chronic spinal cord injury, who had little-to-no motor function in the lower limbs, completed a progressive 16-week exoskeleton-assisted walking programme (34 × 1-h sessions, 1–3 sessions/week). Only natural velocity during the 20-m wheelchair propulsion test increased after training. These findings confirm that the proposed training volume may not increase muscle function in long-term manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.

• 1
  Only natural velocity during the 20-m wheelchair propulsion test (i.e., fundamental wheelchair ability) changed following the intervention (p = 0.01, effect size = 0.82, relative variation = +14.5%).
• 2
  Overall, upper limb muscle function did not significantly and meaningfully change following the exoskeleton-assisted walking programme in this population.
• 3
  The completion of an exoskeleton-assisted walking programme did not elicit significant and meaningful beneficial changes in upper limb muscle function or advanced functional wheelchair performance and abilities in long-term wheelchair users with chronic SCI.