Muscle adaptations in acute SCI following overground exoskeleton + FES training: A pilot study
Objective To evaluate the combined effects of robotic exoskeleton and functional electrical stimulation (FES) training on muscle composition during over-ground gait training in persons with acute spinal cord injury (SCI). Design Randomized crossover pilot study. Setting Inpatient-rehabilitation Hosp...
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| Published in: | Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences Vol. 3; p. 963771 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A
13-10-2022
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | Objective
To evaluate the combined effects of robotic exoskeleton and functional electrical stimulation (FES) training on muscle composition during over-ground gait training in persons with acute spinal cord injury (SCI).
Design
Randomized crossover pilot study.
Setting
Inpatient-rehabilitation Hospital.
Participants
Six individuals with acute SCI.
Intervention
Participants were randomized to either receive training with the Ekso® Bionics exoskeleton combined with FES in addition to standard-of-care or standard-of-care alone.
Outcome measures
The main outcome measures for the study were quantified using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), specifically, lower extremity muscle volume and intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT). Static balance and fall risk were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale.
Results
Significant improvements were observed in muscle volume in the exoskeleton intervention group when compared to only standard-of-care (
p
< 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in IMAT even though the intervention group saw a reduction in IMAT that trended towards statistical significance (
p
= 0.07). Static balance improved in both groups, with greater improvements seen in the intervention group.
Conclusions
Early intervention with robotic exoskeleton may contribute to improved muscle function measured using MRI in individuals with acute SCI. |
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| Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 Reviewed by: Fabricio Saucedo, Penn State Altoona, United States Anjali Sivaramakrishnan, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, United States Edited by: Feng Yang, Georgia State University, United States Abbreviations MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; FES, functional electrical stimulation; SCI, apinal cord injury; IMAT, intramuscular adipose tissue; LE, lower extremity; AIS, American spinal injury association impairment scale; T level, thoracic level; L level, lumbar level These authors have contributed equally to this work and share first authorship Specialty Section: This article was submitted to Rehabilitation for Musculoskeletal Conditions, a section of the journal Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences |
| ISSN: | 2673-6861 2673-6861 |
| DOI: | 10.3389/fresc.2022.963771 |