Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) after spinal cord injury (SCI) induces several different neurophysiological mechanisms to restore walking ability, including the activation of central pattern generators, task-specific stepping practice and massed exercise. However, there is no clear evidence for the optimal timing and efficacy of RAGT in people with SCI. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of RAGT on improvement in walking-related functional outcomes in patients with incomplete SCI compared with other rehabilitation modalities according to time elapsed since injury. This review included 10 trials involving 502 participants to meta-analysis. The acute RAGT groups showed significantly greater improvements in gait distance, leg strength, and functional level of mobility and independence than the over-ground training (OGT) groups. The pooled mean difference was 45.05 m (95% CI 13.81 to 76.29, P = 0.005, I2 = 0%; two trials, 122 participants), 2.54 (LEMS, 95% CI 0.11 to 4.96, P = 0.04, I2 = 0%; three trials, 211 participants) and 0.5 (WISCI-II and FIM-L, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.98, P = 0.04, I2 = 67%; three trials, 211 participants), respectively. In the chronic RAGT group, significantly greater improvements in speed (pooled mean difference = 0.07 m/s, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.12, P = 0.01, I2 = 0%; three trials, 124 participants) and balance measured by TUG (pooled mean difference = 9.25, 95% CI 2.76 to 15.73, P = 0.005, I2 = 74%; three trials, 120 participants) were observed than in the group with no intervention. Thus, RAGT improves mobility-related outcomes to a greater degree than conventional OGT for patients with incomplete SCI, particularly during the acute stage. RAGT treatment is a promising technique to restore functional walking and improve locomotor ability, which might enable SCI patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle and increase their level of physical activity. PROSPERO (CRD 42016037366 ). Registered 6 April 2016.

Park YG, et al. Ann Rehabil Med. 2013 Aug;37(4):505-515. http://dx.doi.org/10.5535/arm.2013.37.4.505

Lee KH, et al. Ann Rehabil Med. 2017 Feb;41(1):90-96. https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2017.41.1.90

To elucidate the effect of a 12-week horizontal vibration exercise (HVE) in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients as compared to vertical vibration exercise (VVE). Twenty-eight CLBP patients were randomly assigned to either the HVE or VVE group. All participants performed the exercise for 30 minutes each day, three times a week, for a total of 12 weeks. Altered pain and functional ability were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), respectively. Changes in lumbar muscle strength, transverse abdominis (TrA) and multifidus muscle thicknesses, and standing balance were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer, ultrasonography, and balance parameters, respectively. These assessments were evaluated prior to treatment, 6 weeks and 12 weeks after the first treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of treatment (that is, 16 weeks after the first treatment). According to the repeated-measures analysis of variance, there were significant improvements with time on VAS, ODI, standing balance score, lumbar flexor, and extensor muscle strength (all p<0.001 in both groups) without any significant changes in TrA (p=0.153 in HVE, p=0.561 in VVE group) or multifidus (p=0.737 in HVE, p=0.380 in VVE group) muscle thickness. Further, there were no significant differences between groups according to time in any of the assessments. No adverse events were noticed during treatment in either group. HVE is as effective as VVE in reducing pain, strengthening the lumbar muscle, and improving the balance and functional abilities of CLBP patients. Vibrational exercise increases muscle strength without inducing muscle hypertrophy.

This study was designed to compare the effects of various doses of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) on nerve regeneration. Sixty-five six-week-old rats with sciatic nerve injury were randomly allocated to three experimental groups, a control group, and a sham group. The experimental groups received a single session of intraneural BoNT/A (3.5, 7.0, or 14 U/kg) injection immediately after nerve-crushing injury. The control group received normal intraneural saline injections after sciatic nerve injury. At three, six, and nine weeks after nerve damage, immunofluorescence staining, an ELISA, and toluidine blue staining was used to evaluate the regenerated nerves. Serial sciatic functional index analyses and electrophysiological tests were performed every week for nine weeks. A higher expression of GFAP, S100β, GAP43, NF200, BDNF, and NGF was seen in the 3.5 U/kg and 7.0 U/kg BoNT/A groups. The average area and myelin thickness were significantly greater in the 3.5 U/kg and 7.0 U/kg BoNT/A groups. The sciatic functional index and compound muscle action potential amplitudes exhibited similar trends. These findings indicate that the 3.5 U/kg and 7.0 U/kg BoNT/A groups exhibited better nerve regeneration than the 14 U/kg BoNT/A and control group. As the 3.5 U/kg and the 7.0 U/kg BoNT/A groups exhibited no statistical difference, we recommend using 3.5 U/kg BoNT/A for its cost-effectiveness.