Robotically assisted treadmill exercise training for improving peak fitness in chronic motor incomplete spinal cord injury: A randomized controlled trial

This study investigated whether robotically assisted treadmill training could improve cardiovascular fitness in people with chronic motor incomplete spinal cord injury (CMISCI). Participants were assigned to either robot-assisted treadmill training or a home stretching program. The study found that the group using robotic treadmill training showed a significant improvement in their peak oxygen consumption during robotic treadmill walking. The control group did not show the same level of improvement. These findings suggest that robot-assisted treadmill training can be an effective way to improve cardiovascular fitness in individuals with CMISCI. This could potentially lead to improved ability to perform daily activities.

• 1
  The RABWSTT group improved peak VO2 by 12.3% during robotic treadmill walking compared to a non-significant 3.9% within group change observed in HSP controls.
• 2
  Neither group displayed a significant change in peak VO2 during arm cycle ergometry.
• 3
  A repeated measures analysis showed statistically significant differences between treatments for peak VO2 during both robotic treadmill walking and arm cycle ergometry.