This preprint is under consideration at Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
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Exoskeleton-assisted walking improves pulmonary function and walking parameters among individuals with spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled pilot study
Hong-chen He
West China Hospital of Medicine: Sichuan University West China Hospital
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3016-022X
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Background: Exoskeleton-assisted walking (EAW) is expected to improve the gait of spinal cord injury (SCI) individuals. However, few studies reported the changes of pulmonary function (PF) parameters after EAW trainings. Hence, we aimed to explore the effect of EAW on PF parameters, 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and lower extremity motor score (LEMS) in individuals with SCI and to compare those with conventional trainings. Methods: In this prospective, single-center, single-blinded randomized controlled pilot study, 18 SCI participants were randomized into the EAW group (n=9) and conventional group (n=9) and received 16 sessions of 50-60min training (4 days/week, 4 weeks). PF parameters consisting of the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), forced expiratory flow (FEF), peak expiratory flow, and maximal voluntary ventilation, 6MWT with assisted devices and LEMS were reported pre- and post-training. Results: Values of FVC (p=0.041), predicted FVC% (p=0.012) and FEV 1 (p=0.013) were significantly greater in EAW group (FVC: 3.8±1.1 L; FVC%pred=94.1±24.5%; FEV1: 3.5±1.0 L) compared to conventional group (FVC: 2.8±0.8 L; FVC%pred=65.4±17.6%; FEV1: 2.4±0.6 L) after training. Participants in EAW group completed 6MWT with median 17.3 meters while wearing the exoskeleton. There was no difference in LEMS and no adverse event. Conclusions: The current results suggest that EAW has potential benefits to facilitate PF parameters among individuals with lower thoracic neurological level of SCI compared to conventional trainings. Additionally, robotic exoskeleton helped walking. Trial registration: Registered on 22 May 2020 at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000033166). http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=53920&htm=4 Keywords: Spinal Cord, Pulmonary, Exercise, Exoskeleton, 6MWT, Rehabilitation
Keywords
Spinal Cord, Pulmonary, Exercise, Exoskeleton, 6MWT, Rehabilitation
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This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
- Appendix1.docx
Appendix 1. Outcomes of correlation between the distance of 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and every item of pulmonary function test (PFT).
- Supplementary.xlsx
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This preprint is under consideration at Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research
Exoskeleton-assisted walking improves pulmonary function and walking parameters among individuals with spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled pilot study
Hong-chen He
West China Hospital of Medicine: Sichuan University West China Hospital
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3016-022X
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 29 Jan, 2021
No community comments so far
Editor assigned
On 26 Jan, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 26 Jan, 2021
Editor invited
On 26 Jan, 2021
First submitted
On 25 Jan, 2021
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Exoskeleton-assisted walking (EAW) is expected to improve the gait of spinal cord injury (SCI) individuals. However, few studies reported the changes of pulmonary function (PF) parameters after EAW trainings. Hence, we aimed to explore the effect of EAW on PF parameters, 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and lower extremity motor score (LEMS) in individuals with SCI and to compare those with conventional trainings. Methods: In this prospective, single-center, single-blinded randomized controlled pilot study, 18 SCI participants were randomized into the EAW group (n=9) and conventional group (n=9) and received 16 sessions of 50-60min training (4 days/week, 4 weeks). PF parameters consisting of the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), forced expiratory flow (FEF), peak expiratory flow, and maximal voluntary ventilation, 6MWT with assisted devices and LEMS were reported pre- and post-training. Results: Values of FVC (p=0.041), predicted FVC% (p=0.012) and FEV 1 (p=0.013) were significantly greater in EAW group (FVC: 3.8±1.1 L; FVC%pred=94.1±24.5%; FEV1: 3.5±1.0 L) compared to conventional group (FVC: 2.8±0.8 L; FVC%pred=65.4±17.6%; FEV1: 2.4±0.6 L) after training. Participants in EAW group completed 6MWT with median 17.3 meters while wearing the exoskeleton. There was no difference in LEMS and no adverse event. Conclusions: The current results suggest that EAW has potential benefits to facilitate PF parameters among individuals with lower thoracic neurological level of SCI compared to conventional trainings. Additionally, robotic exoskeleton helped walking. Trial registration: Registered on 22 May 2020 at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000033166). http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=53920&htm=4 Keywords: Spinal Cord, Pulmonary, Exercise, Exoskeleton, 6MWT, Rehabilitation
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