Elsevier

The Lancet

Volume 344, Issue 8932, 5 November 1994, Pages 1260-1263
The Lancet

Articles
Locomotor activity in spinal man

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(94)90751-XGet rights and content

Abstract

Summary

We studied whether spinal locomotor centres of patients with paraplegia can be activated by external stimuli.

In patients with complete paraplegia, coordinated stepping movements were induced by weight support and standing on a moving treadmill. The pattern of leg muscle electromyographic (EMG) activity was similar to that seen in healthy subjects although EMG amplitude was smaller. With daily training the amplitude of gastrocnemius EMG activity increased during the weight-bearing phase of stepping and the degree of inappropriate tibialis anterior activity decreased. Patients with incomplete paraplegia profited from the training programme in that their walking on a stationary surface improved even when unsupported.

Our results may suggest new ways to improve mobility of patients with paraplegia.

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