Effects of Walking in Water on Surface Electromyography of Lower Limbs and Neural Function in Spinal Cord Injury Patients / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effects of walking in water on surface electromyography (sEMG) of lower limbs and neural func-tion in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Methods From June, 2014 to May, 2016, 42 patients with incomplete thoracolumbar SCI were di-vided into control group (n=21) and experimental group (n=21) randomly. All the patients accepted routine rehabilitation, while the experi-mental group accepted extra walking in water. Average electromyography (AEMG) of quadriceps femoris and tibialis anterior muscles was measured, and the motor and sense function was assessed with American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Classification before and six weeks after treatment. Results The AEMG (t>5.763, P10.871, P4.036, P<0.01). Conclusion Walking in water could further improve lower limbs muscle strength and neural function in patients with incomplete thoracolumbar SCI.