Aach, M., Sczesny-Kaiser, M., Lissek, S., Höffken, O., Nicolas, V., Meindl, R., Schwenkreis, P., Sankai, Y., Tegenthoff, M., and Schildhauer, T.A.
Background: In recent years, new tools for rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), including the use of an exoskeleton, have been developed. Locomotor training with exoskeletons is used in SCI patients. The HAL® robot suit uses minimal bioelectrical signals from the patients to induce leg movement. We hypothesize that the training induces functional improvement and increased performance in locomotor training. In this article, these improvements are reported. Subjects and methods: In all, 7 patients with chronic incomplete SCI participated over a 3-month period of daily (5 times per week) HAL® exoskeleton supported treadmill training. Treadmill-associated performance (walking time, distance, speed, body weight support) and functional improvements [10-m walk test, 6-min walk test, timed-up-and-go test, WISCI II (walking index for spinal cord injury) score] were recorded. In addition, neurological changes [American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), Ashworth scale] and individual sensations (pain, vegetative differences) were recorded. Results: We recorded improvements in treadmill training with increased walking time, distance and speed. All patients showed functional improvements including muscle strength. Some patients showed neurological improvements. The individuals named subjective improvements such as pain reduction and better bowl function. Conclusion: These results show possible neurological and functional improvements also in patients with chronic SCI. These are only individual case results, which must be verified in a systematic clinical trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]