《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2017, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (5): 599-602.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2017.05.024

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Effects of Walking in Water on Surface Electromyography of Lower Limbs and Neural Function in Spinal Cord Injury Patients

LIU Xiao-guang, YANG Xue-min, GONG Lei, ZHOU Zhu-qi, SUN Sheng-jie   

  1. 1. a. Department of Rehabilitation for Bone, Joint and Spinal Cord Injury; b. Department of Water Therapy; c. Department of Rehabilitation Evaluation, Ningbo Rehabilitation Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315040, China
  • Received:2016-11-07 Revised:2017-02-21 Published:2017-05-25 Online:2017-05-24
  • Contact: LIU Xiao-guang. E-mail: 42689630@qq.com

Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of walking in water on surface electromyography (sEMG) of lower limbs and neural function in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Methods From June, 2014 to May, 2016, 42 patients with incomplete thoracolumbar SCI were divided into control group (n=21) and experimental group (n=21) randomly. All the patients accepted routine rehabilitation, while the experimental group accepted extra walking in water. Average electromyography (AEMG) of quadriceps femoris and tibialis anterior muscles was measured, and the motor and sense function was assessed with American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Classification before and six weeks after treatment. Results The AEMG (t>5.763, P<0.01) and the scores of motor and sense (t>10.871, P<0.001) increased in both groups after treatment, and increased more in the experimental group than in the control group (t>4.036, P<0.01). Conclusion Walking in water could further improve lower limbs muscle strength and neural function in patients with incomplete thoracolumbar SCI.

Key words: incomplete spinal cord injury, walking in water, surface electromyography, neural function

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