Adaptations to robotic resistance during treadmill training in SCI rats

摘要 步态训练疗法可改善脊髓损伤后运动功能的恢复。时间，成本 并且步态训练疗法中涉及的能量限制了其有效性并且对于许多患有脊髓损伤的人， 这些因素限制了获得治疗的机会。最近的研究表明，施加力量，阻止肢体运动， 对脊髓损伤患者的行走有暂时的有益影响。这些发现提高了 将阻力整合到步态训练疗法中将提高 疗法我们建议在脊髓损伤的啮齿动物模型中研究阻力训练的效果。我们 一种假设是，在跑步机训练期间施加阻力会引起神经内的变化， 促进长期运动恢复系统。提出了三个具体目标。首先，我们将测试 三种类型的阻力的影响，针对特定的运动，并确定哪种力量纠正 运动轨迹和后肢肌肉EMG活动。一个机器人装置将被用来施加力量， 大鼠后肢，同时它们被训练进行重量支撑的跑步机踏步。第二，我们将确定 如果跑步机上的阻力训练的效果导致四足的地上运动的改善。 第三，我们将确定阻力训练是否诱导脊髓突触可塑性。具体地说， 将检查后肢肌肉运动神经元上的突触。拟议的研究将利用一些 不同的方法（即机器人辅助步态训练，运动学和行为分析，电生理学， 和免疫组织化学）。PI在加州州立大学洛杉矶分校的实验室一直在研究机器人施加的力量， 啮齿动物模型的脊髓损伤，因此具有所有必要的专业知识，以执行拟议的工作。 如果成功，结果将对目前用于治疗的步态训练疗法产生重要影响。 脊髓受伤的人。具体地说，我们将知道在训练期间施加阻力是否会有长时间的- 长期影响恢复，我们也将深入了解如何阻力应用于最大的 治疗效果

Abstract Gait training therapies improve the recovery of locomotor function following spinal cord injury. The time, cost and energy involved in gait training therapy limit its effectiveness and for many people with spinal cord injury, these factors limit access to therapy. Recent findings suggest that applying forces that resist limb movements has a temporary, beneficial effect on walking in people with spinal cord injury. These findings raise the possibility that integrating resistive forces into a gait training therapy will enhance the effectiveness of the therapy. We propose to study the effects of resistive force training in a rodent model of spinal cord injury. Our hypothesis is that applying resistive forces during treadmill training will induce changes within the nervous system that promote long-term locomotor recovery. Three specific aims are proposed. First, we will test the effects of three types of resistive forces that target specific movements and determine which force corrects movement trajectory and hindlimb muscle EMG activity. A robotic device will be used to apply the forces to the rat hindlimbs while they are trained to perform weight-supported, treadmill stepping. Second, we will determine if the effects of resistive force training on the treadmill result in improved quadrupedal, overground locomotion. Third, we will determine if resistive force training induces synaptic plasticity in the spinal cord. Specifically, synapses onto hindlimb muscle motor neurons will be examined. The proposed studies will utilize a number of different approaches (i.e. robotic-assisted gait training, kinematic and behavioral analyses, electrophysiology, and immunohistochemistry). The PI's laboratory at Cal State LA has been studying robotic-applied forces in the rodent models of spinal cord injury and thus has all the expertise necessary to perform the proposed work. If successful, the results will have important implications for gait training therapies that are currently used for spinal cord injured people. Specifically, we will know if applying resistive forces during training will have a long- term effect on recovery and we will also gain insight into how resistive forces should be used for maximal therapeutic effect.