Treatment to Help People with Spine Injuries Walk Better

As reported in a recent issue of Neurology, researchers may have found a new treatment that can help people with spinal cord injuries walk better. The research involved 19 people with spine injuries between levels C2 and T12, no joint shortening, some controlled ankle, knee and hip movements, and the ability to walk at least one step without human assistance. The experiment tested controlled hypoxia treatment and walking exercises. Although all participants did improve their ability to walk, those who received hypoxia treatment combined with exercise appeared to have the most benefit, increasing both their walking speed and endurance. “Our research proposes a promising new way for the spinal cord to make the connections needed to walk better,” said study author Randy D. Trumbower, PT, PhD, with Emory University in Atlanta. Click here to read the full article.