The feasibility of an 8-Week walking training program using a novel assistive gait training device in individuals with spinal cord injury.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of an 8-week walking training programme using a novel assistive gait training device in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS: This study was a pilot, single group, pretest-posttest study design. Participants received walking training, 3 sessions a week for 8 weeks. Participants were trained on a treadmill using a novel assistive gait training device. Feasibility data about recruitment, retention, compliance, and participants' performance, and participants' perception were collected throughout the study period.

RESULTS: 11 participants with chronic SCI (8 males, 3 females, age: 38 ± 10 years old, injury levels T3-L1; injury onset 8 ± 10 years) completed the study. The recruitment rate of 27.2% reached in this study was acceptable. Throughout the period of training, all participants were able to progress in their walking performance with respect to treadmill speed, walking distance, duration of training, and percentage of body weight support. The overall compliance rate of participants with training sessions was 96.2 ± 6.5%. From responses to the end intervention questionnaire, the majority of participants showed positive perception to the walking training programme as well as the assistive gait training.

CONCLUSION: The 8 weeks of walking training was feasible in individuals with chronic SCI. The assistive gait training device was feasible and safe to use in individuals with paraplegia. Clinical Trials Registration Number: NCT03940274 Implication for rehabilitation The use of a novel assistive gait training device using a pulley system with a pulling cable walking training is feasible. The novel assistive gait training device will reduce workload by allowing physical therapists to work on an ergonomic position while providing the necessary stepping assistance for the patient's legs/feet during walking on a treadmill. The novel assistive gait training device is developed to provide a low-cost assistive device to be used in walking rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury.