Treadmill training with partial body weight support in subjects with incomplete spinal cord injury: a systematic review

Introduction. The partial body weight supported treadmill training is a common therapeutic strategy in rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries. Aim. To analyze its effects on gait, balance and muscle strength in people with incomplete spinal cord injury compared to conventional treatment or overground gait training. Patients and methods. A compilation of clinical trials from 2007 to 2019 was carried out. We included articles that evaluate the effects of body weight supported treadmill training on gait, balance and muscle strength in subjects with incomplete spinal cord injury. Results. A total of six articles were analyzed. The walking cadence, speed and resistance improved in the participants that received the intervention compared to those that were treated with conventional training. The functionality, balance and strength improved in most studies, but there were not differences between them. Conclusions. Body weight supported treadmill training improves the spatiotemporal parameters of walking and resistance in subjects with incomplete spinal cord injury, but in most variables analyzed (balance, functionality and strength) the changes are not superior to those observed after conventional training.