Title

Ambulation training with and without partial weightbearing after traumatic brain injury: Results of a randomized, controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To test the hypothesis that 8 wks of partial weight-bearing gait retraining improves functional ambulation to a greater extent than traditional physical therapy in individuals after traumatic brain injury.

Design: A randomized, open-label, controlled, cohort study was conducted at two inpatient university-based rehabilitation hospitals. A total of 38 adults with a primary diagnosis of traumatic brain injury and significant gait abnormalities received either 8 wks of standard physical therapy or physical therapy supplemented with partial weight-bearing gait training twice weekly.

Results: Significant (P < 0.05) improvements were detected in both groups on Functional Ambulation Category, Standing Balance Scale, Rivermead Mobility Index, and FIM®. However, no differences were found between the treatment groups.

Conclusions: Results did not support the hypothesis that 8 wks of partial weight-bearing gait retraining improves functional ambulation to a greater extent than traditional physical therapy in individuals after traumatic brain injury based on common clinical measures.

Department(s)

Kinesiology

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1097/01.phm.0000193507.28759.37

Keywords

Gait, Partial Weight Bearing, Traumatic Brain Injury

Publication Date

1-1-2006

Journal Title

American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

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