Objective To explore the effect of respiratory control combined with robotic exoskeleton-based gait training on pulmonary function and motor function in children with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Methods Sixty children with SCI were divided into three groups based on their admission time:a respiratory control training group, a robotic exoskeleton-based gait training group, and a combination group, with 20 cases in each group.All children also received conventional rehabilitation therapy and nursing care.Pulmonary function, balance function, 10-meter walk test time, and the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) scores were compared before the intervention, and at 4 and 8 weeks after start of the intervention.
Results At 4 and 8 weeks after start of the intervention, all three groups showed significant improvements in pulmonary function, balance function, 10-meter walk test time, and WeeFIM scores compared to pre-intervention levels, with the combination group demonstrating the most pronounced effects (group effect, time effect, and group by time interaction effect all P＜0.05).
Conclusion Respiratory control trai-ning combined with robotic exoskeleton gait training can effectively improve pulmonary function and motor performance, and consequently enhance the activities of daily living in children with SCI.
