The Effect of Exoskeletal-Assisted Walking on Bowel and Bladder Function: Results from a Randomized Trial

Abstract

A three center randomized controlled crossover clinical trial of exoskeletal-assisted walking (EAW) compared to usual activity (UA) in people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) was performed. As secondary outcome measures, the effect of this intervention on bowel and bladder function was assessed using the 10Q Bowel function Survey, the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BFS) and the bowel and bladder components of the Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life (SCI-QOL) instrument. Fifty subjects were completed the study, with bowel and bladder data available for 49. The amount of time needed for the bowel program on average was reduced in 24% of the participants after EAW. There was a trend toward normalization of stool form noted. There were no significant effects in patient reported outcomes for bowel or bladder function on the SCI-QOL components, although time since injury may have played a role.