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Effect of robotic gait training on cardiorespiratory system in incomplete spinal cord injury. Femke Hoekstra, MSc; Michiel P. M. van Nunen, PhD; Karin H. L. Gerrits, PhD; Janneke M. Stolwijk-Swüste, MD, PhD; Martine H. P. Crins, MSc; Thomas W. J. Janssen, PhD. Aim
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Effect of robotic gait training on cardiorespiratory system in incomplete spinal cord injury Femke Hoekstra, MSc; Michiel P. M. van Nunen, PhD; Karin H. L. Gerrits, PhD; Janneke M. Stolwijk-Swüste, MD, PhD; Martine H. P. Crins, MSc; Thomas W. J. Janssen, PhD
Aim • Investigate effect of robot-assisted gait training on cardiorespiratory fitness in subjects with motor incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). • Document exercise intensity of robotic walking vs recommended guidelines. • Relevance • Physical inactivity is commonly reported in SCI population and is major risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease.
Method • 10 patients followed 24-session training program with robotic gait orthosis + physiotherapy sessions completed in 10–16 wk. • Determined cardiorespiratory fitness in graded arm crank exercise test before and after training. • Measured O2 consumption (VO2) and heart rate (HR) to assess intensity of robot-assisted walking. • Calculated exercise intensity measures with % of VO2 reserve, % of HR reserve, and metabolic equivalents.
Results • No changes found in peak VO2. • Resting and submaximal HR at constant work load were significantly lower after training. • Most subjects exercised at low intensity, and only 2 subjects exercised at moderate intensity.
Conclusion • Despite low exercise intensity of training program and no changes in peak VO2, robot-assisted gait training induced some improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness, as suggested by lower resting and submaximal HR values.