Study design  Randomized clinical trial Background Passive movements performed rhythmically by cycle ergometer claim to have an effect on spasticity reduction, but faster cadences have rarely been investigated for their effects on spasticity. Purpose To evaluate the effect of varying cadences of cycle ergometer on gait parameters i.e. walking speed, cadence, stride length and step width of spastic paraplegic subjects. Setting  Rehabilitation department, Indian Spinal Injuries Center, New Delhi. Subjects 20 subjects with Thoracic (T7-T10) spinal cord injury. Material  Cycle ergometer (MOTO med exerciser), paper walkway, ink, measuring tape, and stopwatch. Methods Two groups A & B were formed. Group A (control group) underwent cycling for 40 min. at a cadence of 30 rounds per minute (rpm). Group B underwent cycling for 40 min at a starting cadence of 30 rpm with increasing velocities every 10 min., 45%, 55% and 65% finally reaching to 50 rpm for two weeks each day for 5days/week. Gait analysis was preformed after the gait training in both the groups. Outcome measures  Walking velocity, cadence, stride length and step width were recorded using ink- footprint record and ambulation time. Data analysis A paired t-test was used to analyze the differences between gait outcomes. Correlation co-efficient analysis was done to find out the relationship between gait parameters. Results A Significant difference existed in all the gait parameters. Experimental group had increased velocity, stride length and step width but reduced cadence than control group. (p <0.05for each parameter). Velocity and cadence were highly correlated with one another (r >0.75). Conclusion  Passive cycling at higher speeds has positive effects on gait outcomes of spastic paraplegic individuals, which leads to attainment of functional gait and hence, better quality of life in paraplegic patients.

Key words Spinal cord injury, paraplegia, cycle ergometer, spasticity, and gait.