Precision Versus Endurance Training to Improve Walking After Chronic Incomplete SCI

The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of two forms of physical therapy training, one emphasizing precise, visually guided walking over obstacles and on targets (Precision Training), the other emphasizing mass practice of walking on a treadmill (Endurance Training). The hypothesis was that visually guided training (Precision) may be especially efficacious because it engages the motor cortex, whose input may facilitate improvements in functional walking. Participants are individuals with a chronic (≥7 months post-injury), motor incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), with no other problems that would preclude participation in an intensive training program. A randomized, single-blinded, cross-over design was used to randomly allocate participants to start with Precision or Endurance Training, identified as Training Phase I. Training was 5x/wk for 2 months, followed by a 2-month rest period, identified as Rest Period I. Participants then returned for 2-months of training in the other method, identified as Training Phase II, followed by another 2-month rest, Rest Period II. Measures of walking speed, distance, skill, confidence, as well as depression were obtained at least 3 times before any training, then monthly thereafter. Electrophysiological measures were taken before and after each phase of training and period of rest. Change scores were used to determine how each phase of training and rest influenced the scores (see below).