Perception of gait movements induced during training with multiple patterned vibrations in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury

Abstract

Multiple patterned vibration applied on lower limb joints in individuals after incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) generates gait-like movements at a cadence specific to the vibration pattern. This intervention is currently tested on individual with iSCI, who may need body weight support. The main objective of the study was to quantify perceptions associated to sensory afferents generated by multiple vibrations by iSCI participants. The second objective was to determine whether weight support and cadence of the simulated gait cycles affects perceptions before and after 15 gait-like vibrations training sessions. Six participants (21–77 years old) with an incomplete spinal cord injury (ASIA Impairment Scale grade C&D) received gait-like vibrations in a standing position, with different levels of weight relief (0%/20%/40%), and two gait cadences (60 and 120 steps/min). Perception was evaluated in each condition with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), before and after 15 training sessions over three weeks. Every participant showed good perception of a gait motion (VAS score > 5/10) for 1 or more conditions in the pre- and post- training evaluation. Body weight and cycle duration had no effect on perception (less than 1 point difference). Perception increased, though not significantly by 2.2 (1.1) points after training, with the increase particularly marked in conditions with low score pre-training. Individuals with iSCI perceived gait motion during the application of patterned gait-like vibrations, which may participate to the effect of gait vibration training individuals with iSCI in intensive rehabilitation, regardless of their need for body weight support.