Effect of Overground Training Augmented by Mental Practice on Gait Velocity in Chronic, Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of a regimen combining mental practice (MP) with overground training (OT) with the efficacy of a regimen consisting of OT only on gait velocity and lower extremity motor outcomes in individuals with chronic (>12mo postinjury), incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI).DesignRandomized, controlled, single-blinded study.SettingOutpatient rehabilitation laboratories.ParticipantsSubjects with chronic, incomplete SCI (N=18).InterventionsSubjects were randomly assigned to receive (1) OT only, occurring 3d/wk for 8 weeks; or (2) OT augmented by MP (MP + OT), during which randomly assigned subjects listened to an MP audio recording directly after OT sessions.Main Outcome MeasuresSubjects were administered a test of gait velocity as well as the Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment, Spinal Cord Injury Independence Measure, and Satisfaction With Life Scale on 2 occasions before intervention, 1 week after intervention, and 12 weeks after intervention.ResultsA significant increase in gait velocity was exhibited across subjects at both 1 week posttherapy (P=.005) and at 12 weeks posttherapy (P=.006). However, no differences were seen in intervention response at either 1 or 12 weeks postintervention among subjects in the MP + OT group versus the OT-only group.ConclusionsOT was associated with significant gains in gait velocity, and these gains were not augmented by further addition of MP.