Adaptations to robotic resistance during treadmill training in SCI rats

摘要 步态训练疗法可促进脊髓损伤后运动功能的恢复。时间、成本 步态训练疗法所涉及的能量限制了其有效性，对许多脊髓损伤的人来说， 这些因素限制了获得治疗的机会。最近的研究结果表明，施加抵抗肢体运动的力量 对脊髓损伤患者的步行有暂时的、有益的影响。这些发现提高了 将阻力力量整合到步态训练疗法中将增强步态训练疗法的有效性 心理治疗。我们建议研究阻力训练对脊髓损伤啮齿动物模型的影响。我们的 假说是，在跑步机训练中施加阻力会引起神经内的变化 促进长期运动恢复的系统。提出了三个具体目标。首先，我们将测试 针对特定运动的三种类型的阻力力的影响，并确定哪种力可以校正 运动轨迹和后肢肌肉肌电活动。一个机器人装置将被用来将力施加到 训练大鼠的后肢进行负重的跑步机踏步。第二，我们将确定 如果在跑步机上进行阻力训练可以改善四足动物的地面运动能力。 第三，我们将确定阻力训练是否诱导脊髓中的突触可塑性。具体来说， 后肢肌肉运动神经元上的突触将被检查。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)。加州州立大学洛杉矶分校的PI实验室一直在研究机器人施加的力量 这项研究提供了脊髓损伤的啮齿动物模型，因此具备开展拟议工作所需的所有专业知识。 如果成功，该结果将对目前用于治疗的步态训练疗法产生重要影响 脊髓损伤的人。具体地说，我们将知道在训练中使用抵抗力量是否会有长期的- 对复苏的长期影响，我们还将了解如何最大限度地使用阻力 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.