INTRODUCTION: Body weight support training (BWST) is a physical rehabilitation method applied for stimulating motor control recovery at neurological diseases. In the specific case of incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), this method may help to improve functional capacity, cardiovascular function, as well as prevent and treat osteopenia and osteoporosis, which are important secondary complications of SCI. OBJECTIVE: This study has the purpose to determine and compare the bone mineral density (BMD) before and after six months of BWST in people with incomplete SCI. METHOD: The sample of this study was composed for eight ASIA A, B and D SCI volunteers who took part in 15 minutes training sessions, three times a week, carried out on treadmill with speed of 1,5 km/h. The load over lower limbs was increased every two weeks in 5% of body weight, from 20% until 65% of body weight, along six months. Bone densitometry tests were carried out before the beginning and just after the training program. RESULTS: There was a small (0,05 g/cm²), but significant (p = 0,034) improvement on femur BMD. In other regions (femoral neck and trochanter) there was no significant change (no gain or loss). CONCLUSION: The BWST can be aided by maintaining the BMD in the regions of femoral neck and trochanter.
Spinal cord injury; Locomotor training; Bone densitometry; Osteoporosis
