The Effects of Different Rehabilitation Strategies on the Functional Recovery of Spinal Cord Injured Rats

Abstract

These results suggest that 2 weeks of treadmill locomotor training and swimming training may have positive effects on functional recovery after partial SCI.

A randomized, blinded, prospective clinical trial of postoperative rehabilitation in dogs after surgical decompression of acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation

“…While the weight loss and atrophy can result from loss of different tissue types, these data suggest that even short‐lived partial loss of motor strength results in muscle atrophy. These findings are in line with experimental studies that report both a decrease in body weight and muscle atrophy in rodents during the first week after a SCI, followed by a slow recovery . Similarly, both weight loss and muscle atrophy are reported in people with SCI .…”

“…The basic protocol focused on PROM exercises and limited (sling) walking. The intensive protocol was designed to maintain muscle mass, increase motor strength, and improve coordination through staged exercises and was based on experimental evidence in rodents with incomplete SCI that treadmill training, cycling, and swimming all improve motor recovery . The outcome parameters used were selected for their ability to discern both quality of gait and quadrupedal coordination, and to document parameters such as hind limb muscle and weight loss.…”

A Systematic Review of Exercise Training To Promote Locomotor Recovery in Animal Models of Spinal Cord Injury

“…(38%; Fouad et al, 2000;Goldshmit et al, 2008;Kuerzi et al, 2010;Liu et al, 2008;Maier et al, 2009;Multon et al, 2003;Park et al, 2010;Smith et al, 2006Smith et al, ,2009, and seven studies (29%) reported one session per day (Carvalho et al, 2009;Heng and de Leon, 2009;Ichiyama et al, 2009;Oh et al, 2009;Robert et al, 2010;Singh et al, 2011;Stevens et al, 2006). In 30% of the studies, the number of sessions per day did not apply due to the type of intervention used (i.e., environmental enrichment or voluntary wheel running).…”

“…The most commonly used methods were: the BBB scale (56%), kinematic analysis (44%), and the grid walk test (17%). Sixteen studies (39%) only used functional scales (Carvalho et al, 2008;Engesser-Cesar et al, 2005;Fischer and Peduzzi, 2007;Foret et al, 2010;Liu et al, 2008;Moshonkina et al, 2002Moshonkina et al, ,2004Multon et al, 2003;Nothias et al, 2005;Park et al, 2010;Robert et al, 2010;Siegenthaler et al, 2008;Smith et al, 2006;Stevens et al, 2006;Ung et al, 2010;Zhang et al, 2007); importantly, these scales assess a specific aspect of locomotion or hindlimb movement, and depend on observation and interpretation. In the complete SCI studies, kinematic analysis was used in 55% of rat, 75% of cat, and 50% of mouse studies; the BBB scale was used in 36% of the rat studies.…”

Gain and loss of functional locomotor recovery following contusive spinal cord injury in the adult rat.

“…After contusion or compression incomplete SCI rats and mice show remarkable spontaneous locomotor recovery (unlike after transection in which treadmill training with weight support is required) and are able to generate weightsupported stepping within 3-5 weeks post-injury as measured by BBB, BMS and/or kinematic analysis of hindlimbs (Fouad et aI., 2000;Lankhorst et aI., 2001;Thota et aI., 2001;Multon et aI., 2003;Van Meeteren et aI., 2003;EngesserCesar et aI., 2005;Koopmans et aI., 2005;Magnuson et aI., 2005b;Bolton et aI., 2006;Erschbamer et aI., 2006;Smith et aI., 2006a;Fischer and Peduzzi, 2007;Carvalho et aL, 2008;Heng and de Leon, 2008;Liu et al, 2008b;Siegenthaler et aL, 2008;Robert et aL, 2010;Alluin et aL, 2011). Taken together, these studies show that voluntary exercise, enriched environment, step or swim training alone does not improve on the spontaneous locomotor recovery profile with sustained effects through the chronic phase.…”