High Level Mobility Training in Ambulatory Patients with Acquired Non-Progressive Central Neurological Injury: a Feasibility Study.

The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility and safety of High-Level Mobility (HLM) training on adults with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Our hypotheses were that HLM training would be feasible and safe. This study was a pilot randomized control trial with a Simple Skill Group (SSG) and a Complex Skill Group (CSG). Both groups received 12 sessions over 8 weeks and completed 4 testing sessions over 16 weeks. The SSG focused on locomotion, while CSG focused on the acquisition of running. Feasibility was assessed in terms of process, resources, management, and scientific metrics, including safety. Among the 41 participants meeting inclusion criteria, 28 consented (CSG, n = 13, SSG, n = 15), 20 completed the assigned protocol and 8 withdrew (CSG n = 4, SSG n = 4). Adherence rate to assigned protocol was 100%. There were two Adverse Events (AEs), 1 over 142 SSG sessions and 1 over 120 CSG sessions. The AE Odd Ratio (OR) (CSG:SSG) was 1.18 (95% CI: 0.07, 19.15). The data support our hypotheses that HLM training is feasible and safe on ambulatory adults with ABI.

Examining the Effects of a Powered Exoskeleton on Quality of Life and Secondary Impairments in People Living With Spinal Cord Injury.

Background: Secondary impairments associated with spinal cord injury (SCI) limit one's independent functionality and negatively impact quality of life (QoL). Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore changes in secondary health conditions that may result from using a powered exoskeleton as well as their potential impact on QoL. Methods: Forty-five participants presenting with SCI ranging from T3-L2 were included in this study. Outcome measures included self-reported assessments of pain, spasticity, bladder/bowel function, Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Results: Participants reported significantly less spasticity at the conclusion of the study, 0.9 ± 1.7, compared to baseline, 1.6 ± 0.9 [t (44) = 2.83, p < .001]. MAS testing revealed that 26.7% of participants presented with decreased spasticity at the conclusion of the trial. Participants reported less pain at the end of the trial, 0.9 ± 1.6, compared to the start, 1.1 ± 1.7 [t (44) = 1.42, p > .05]. No negative changes in bowel and bladder were reported; positive changes were reported by 20% and 9% of participants with respect to bowel and bladder management. There was no statistically significant change in SWLS sum score from baseline, 20.4 ± 8.0, to conclusion of the study, 21.3 ± 7.6 [t (44) = -1.1, p > .05]. Conclusion: Findings suggest using a powered exoskeleton may decrease spasticity in people living with SCI. Although improvements in secondary impairments did not result in a significant improvement in QoL, it is believed that using a powered exoskeleton in one's community will lead to increased community integration facilitating an improvement in QoL.

Determining Whether a Dosage-Specific and Individualized Home Exercise Program With Consults Reduces Fall Risk and Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Difficulty Walking: A Randomized Control Trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The development and implementation of effective interventions to prevent falls in older adults is a public health priority. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of a new practice model, incorporating Shubert's evidence-based fall prevention recommendations, with the usual ambulatory physical therapy (PT) at Rusk Rehabilitation, to decrease fall risk among older adults living in the community. The hypotheses were (1) the proposed program would decrease participants' fall risk, (2) it would be more effective than our usual PT, and (3) the addition of 4 consults after discharge would improve compliance with a home exercise program. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial. Sixty-nine participants who were independent community dwellers, were 65 years or older, had difficulty walking or complaints of instability, and had 1 or more risk of falls were randomly assigned into a usual care group (UCG, n = 43) or an experimental group (EG, n = 26). Both groups received PT 2 times per week for 30 minutes for 10 to 32 visits. The UCG received the usual PT delivered at Rusk. The EG was instructed in a moderate- to high-intensity home exercise program designed after completing the mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test to assist with exercise prescription. The EG was educated on performing a recommended dosage of exercise over 6 months using a diary. The EG received 4 additional 30-minute consults every 2 to 4 weeks postdischarge to reinforce compliance. Self-report of number of falls, number of minutes of exercise per week, and performance on outcome measures (Timed Up and Go, 5-times sit-to-stand, Berg Balance Scale, and Activity Balance Confidence Scale) were monitored at evaluation, 2, 4, and 6 months. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Thirty-five participants completed the study (UCG n = 22; EG n = 13). Both groups were similar at baseline on outcome measures and number of visits. Random effect model analyses demonstrated that both groups made significant reductions in fall risk over 6 months as identified by performance on outcome measures. However, the EG improved significantly more compared with the UCG over time (P < .05). Linear regression analyses showed that the EG exercised significantly more compared with the UCG at all times (P < .05). The EG exceeded the target of 115 min/wk of exercise (154 minutes, standard deviation [SD] 68.5; 170 minutes, SD 96.8; and 143 minutes, SD 68.5) at 2, 4, and 6 months, respectively. This study demonstrated that the experimental program is effective in decreasing fall risk in community-dwelling older adults and is more effective than our usual care. Moreover, it suggests that the overall experimental protocol may offer an effective strategy to foster adherence to an exercise program without the increasing number of visits. CONCLUSION: This study supports the efficacy of the experimental program in decreasing fall risk and being more effective than our usual care, as well as fostering greater compliance with an exercise regimen. It provides some preliminary evidence to support Shubert's recommendation on exercise prescription for fall prevention.