Field-Fote et al. 2005; USA
PEDro = 5
RCT
N = 27

Population: 27 males and females; age 21-64 yrs; all subjects had an incomplete SCI; C3-T10 lesion level; >1 yr post-injury
Treatment: Randomized to 4 gait training   strategies, 45-50 min, 5x/wk, 12 wks: 1) manual BWSTT (n=7); 2) BWSTT + FES (common peroneal nerve) (n=7); 3) BWS overground + FES (n=7); 4) BWS Lokomat (robotic gait device) (n=6).
Outcome measures: Walking speed over 6 m (short bout) and 24.4 m (long-bout).

Significant increases in short-bout walking speed across subjects who received BWSTT + FES.
Equivalent effects on long-bout gait speed between the 4 groups.
Tendency for initially slower walkers (<0.1m/s) to show greater improvement (106%) compared to initially faster walkers (17%).

Postans et al. 2004; Scotland
PEDro = 3
RCT w/crossover
N initial=14
N final=10

Population: 14 males and females; ages 19-57 yrs; all subjects had an incomplete SCI; C4-T9 lesion level; mean 12.2±5.9 weeks post-injury
Treatment:  Partial weight-bearing (PWB) supported treadmill gait training augmented by functional electric stimulation (FES) for up to 25 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks was compared to a 4-week period of standard physiotherapy.
Outcome Measures: Overground and treadmill walking endurance and speed.

1. All subjects increased their walking speed and distance on the treadmill. The control-intervention group (group 1) increased by a mean of 0.175 m/s and 327.3 m whereas the intervention-control group (group 2) increased their speed and distance by an average of 0.145 m/s and 261.2 m, respectively.
2. Mean increase in overground walking speed was 0.23 m/s (104%) in group 1 and 0.17 m/s (80%) in group 2. Overground walking endurance over a 6-minute period increased by a mean of 72.2 m in group1 and 63.8 m in the group 2.

Field-Fote 2001; USA
Downs & Black = 15
Pre-post
N=19

Population: 19 males and females; mean age 31.7±9.4 yrs; all subjects had a diagnosis of AIS C either paraplegia or tetraplegia.
Treatment: BWSTT + common peroneal nerve FES: <90 min, 3x/wk, 12 wks.
Outcome measures: Gait speed.

1. Significant increase in walking speed (median 77%).

Field-Fote & Tepavac 2002; USA
Downs & Black = 13
Pre-post
N=14

Population: 14 males and females; age 18-50 yrs; all subjects had a diagnosis of AIS C; C4-T7 lesion level.
Treatment: BWSTT + common peroneal nerve FES: <90 min, 3x/wk, 12 wks.
Outcome measures: Over ground gait speed.

1. All subjects showed an increase in walking speed.
2. Subjects with slower walking speeds showed greater improvement.

Hesse et al. 2004; Germany
Downs & Black = 11
Pre-post
N=4

Population: 3 males; age 45-62 yrs; all subjects had a diagnosis of AIS C or AIS D; C5-T8 lesion level; 8-18 months post-injury.
Treatment: Electromechanical gait trainer + FES to quadriceps and hamstrings: 20-25 min, 5x/wk, 5 wks.
Outcome measures: Gait velocity and endurance.

1. Gait ability improves in all patients; 3 could walk independently over ground with aids. Overall gait speed and endurance more than doubled.