Kinematic Analysis of Spinal Cord Injury Animals Treated with a Neurotrophin-Infused Scaffold and Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training
Abstract
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a condition that affects around 250,000 Americans with no cure. Existing treatments rely on physical therapies such as body weight support treadmill training (BWSTT). Treatments currently being researched include the use of implantable cells and biomaterials. Our study investigated the changes in locomotive gait and range of motion via a combinational treatment using a bioengineered scaffold [poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide) polyethylene glycol (PNIPAAm-g-PEG) with BDNF and NT-3] and rehabilitation training using BWSTT in a clinically relevant contusion SCI animal model. Five different groups of animals (Sham, Injury, BWSTT, Implant, and Combinational) were tested on a treadmill with BWSTT at three different BWS (75%, 65%, and 55%) and two different speeds (7 cm/s and 10 cm/s). Using three motion capture cameras, kinematic data were acquired and analyzed to study functional recovery in these groups. Our results show some kinematic recovery in the Combination therapy and BWSTT animals. Step height, length, and number of steps were significantly higher in these groups of animals. The obtained data warrant further studies that aim to investigate the efficacy of different biomaterial implants and combinational therapies.
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