Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristic of hindlimb movement recovery in adult rats after spinal cord injury and how to assess it.Methods 26 adult female rats were randomized in sham,completely midthoracic spinal cord transected(at T₈ level) or body weight supported treadmill training(BWSTT) groups.Their motor function were assessed with Basso,Beattie,Bresnahan locomotor rating scale for open field(BBB scale) and average combined scores(ACOS).ResultsNone of the rats exhibited hindlimb movements after operation.30 d and 45 d after operation,BBB and ACOS score of rats in BWSTT group showed better than that in SCI group.There were significant differences in ACOS score among 15 d,30 d and 45 d after operation in both group.ConclusionPartial spontaneous hindlimb functional recovery can be found in chronic adult spinal cord injured rats and BWSTT would facilitate the recovery.Both semiquantitative and qualitative assessment were strongly correlated with locomotor recovery,but the semiquantitative assessment shows more sensitive.

Key words: spinal cord injury, locomotor function, rehabilitation, assessment, rats