Gait characteristics of individuals with incomplete cervical spinal cord injury by the wearable gait analysis system

Abstract Study design: Quantitative cross-sectional study. Objectives: Individuals with incomplete cervical spinal cord injury (ICSCI) have balance function. However, the details of the correlation between spatiotemporal gait variables and balance function in ICSCI people remain to be clarified. The objectives of this study were to investigate (1) the difference in gait performance between individuals with ICSCI and control participants, and (2) the correlation between the gait variables and walking speed or the balance function in the ISCI group. Setting: Hokkaido Spinal Cord Injury Center, Japan. Methods: Nineteen CSCI individuals who can walk without any devices or assistance and nine control participants performed a 15m walking test and/or the mini-BESTest. The wearable sensor system (Physilog®5) were attached on feet for the analysis of the spatiotemporal gait variables. Results: While walking speed was not significantly different between the groups, the phase times of loading, foot-flat, and pushing were significantly different. The results of correlation and multivariate regression analysis revealed the loading and foot-flat phases were associated with the balance function, and the pushing phase was an important factor in producing propulsion. Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that individuals with CSCI increased dynamic stability rather than propulsion during the stance phase to achieve a comparable walking speed to healthy individuals.