Suspension exercise training can improve walking and balance after thoracolumbar fracture and spinal cord injury / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the effect of suspension exercise training (SET) on the lumbar function and balance ability of patients with thoracolumbar fracture and spinal cord injury.Methods:Totally 64 patients with thoracolumbar fracture and spinalcord injury were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, each of 32. Both groups received pedicle screw reduction with internal fixation and spinal dome decompression, followed by routine post-operative rehabilitation. In addition, the observation group performed double bridge and single leg suspension training and pelvic lift training. Everyone′s walking ability, spinal nerve functionality and balance were evaluated 3 days after the operation and 2 months after the training. Stride frequency, stride length and walking speed were observed. American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) nerve function classifications were assigned. The trajectory length, trajectory included area and movement deviation of each subject′s center of gravity (CG) was recorded.Results:The average stride frequency, step length and walking speed of the observation group had all improved significantly after the intervention, and were significantly better than the control group′s averages at that point. This was also true of the proportion in ASIA neurological function grade D (65.63%), CG trajectory length and area, and the Romberg rate of deviation along the X-axis and Y-axis of the CG.Conclusion:SET training after pedicle screw reduction and internal fixation and spinal dome decompression can significantly improve the spinal nerve functioning of persons after a thoracolumbar fracture with incomplete spinal cord injury. It enhances their balance and walking ability. Such therapy is worthy of clinical promotion and application.