Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of underwater treadmill training on patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods 11 patients with incomplete SCI were treated with underwater treadmill training, besides other comprehensive rehabilitation. Motor and sense scores were assessed using ASIA2000 standard and recorded before and after the underwater treadmill training. Walking distances, maximal walking velocity when training and changes of activities of daily living (ADL) before and after training were also recorded.Results After underwater treadmill training, the sense score of ASIA increased ( P<0.05), motor score of ASIA, and scores of walking distance, maximal walking velocity and ADL increased significantly ( P<0.01).Conclusion The underwater treadmill training along with other routine rehabilitation treatment may be helpful to improve motor and sensory functions and ADL of patients with incomplete SCI.

Key words: walking in water, treadmill training, spinal cord injury