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Exoskeleton gait training to improve lower urinary tract function in people with motor-complete spinal cord injury: A randomized pilot trial.

Journal of rehabilitation medicine
January 1, 1970
Alison M M Williams et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine the feasibility of exoskeleton-assisted walking interventions for improving lower urinary tract function in individuals with motor-complete spinal cord injury and compare two exoskeleton programs.

Results Summary

The study found that exoskeleton walking (Ekso) elicited pelvic floor muscle activity, but no clear changes in lower urinary tract function were observed in either group. Recruitment was low, with one adverse event reported.

Population

Adults with motor-complete spinal cord injury at or above T10.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
exoskeleton-assisted walking intervention
neutral
lower urinary tract function
people with motor-complete spinal cord injury
-
determine the feasibility of delivering
#1
exoskeleton walking
increase
pelvic floor muscles
people with motor-complete spinal cord injury
-
activates
#2
Ekso training
increase
Pelvic floor muscle activity
people with motor-complete spinal cord injury
-
greater
#3
exoskeleton training programme
no change
Lower urinary tract function
people with motor-complete spinal cord injury
-
did not clearly change
#4
Ekso-walking
increase
pelvic floor muscle activity
people with motor-complete spinal cord injury
-
elicits
#5
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of delivering an exoskeleton-assisted walking intervention targeting lower urinary tract function in people with motor-complete spinal cord injury. Secondary aims were to determine if exoskeleton walking activates the pelvic floor muscles, and compare 2 exoskeleton programmes regarding lower urinary tract function. DESIGN: Randomized pilot trial. SUBJECTS: Adults with motor-complete spinal cord injury at or above T10. METHODS: Participants were randomized to receive Ekso or Lokomat training. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment rate, adherence, and adverse events. Pelvic floor muscle electromyography was recorded during walking. Urodynamic studies, 3-day bladder diary, and Qualiveen-30 were administered pre- and post-training. RESULTS: Twelve people were screened and 6 people enrolled in the study. Two subjects withdrew from unrelated reasons. There was one adverse event. Pelvic floor muscle activity was greater in the Ekso group. Lower urinary tract function did not clearly change in either group. CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of delivering an exoskeleton training programme targeting lower urinary tract function. Ekso-walking elicits pelvic floor muscle activity, but it remains unclear how locomotor training impacts lower urinary tract function.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdultAgedElectromyographyExercise TherapyExoskeleton DeviceFemaleGaitHumansMaleMiddle AgedPilot ProjectsSpinal Cord InjuriesTreatment OutcomeUrinary BladderWalking
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety80
Efficacy50/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations12
Citations/Year3.0
Relative Citation Ratio1.80
NIH Percentile71.2%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.55
Normalized Score0.66
Related Supplements
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