Intensity of Usual Care Therapeutic Interventions in Inpatient Rehabilitation - A Pilot Study

Minimal evidence exists describing key dosing parameters of interventions used during the subacute phase of recovery after neurological injury. This prospective cohort study aims to assess cardiorespiratory strain resulting from novel and conventional therapeutic interventions. Gait training provided relatively more moderate to vigorous exercise, reaching the associated %HRR 25% and 42% of the time in patients post spinal cord injury (SCI) and stroke, respectively. Specifically, EksoGT overground robotic gait training appears more effective, evoking targeted %HRR for 48% and 52% of sessions. Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) was moderately correlated with very light intensity in patients with SCI but ultimately ineffective at gauging %HRR. EksoGT can administer moderate to vigorous intensity exercise to patients with severe disabilities. Inpatient rehabilitation is inherently variable in method and population but can provide minimally sufficient exercise intensity. Further research into the dose-response relationship and accurate estimation of intensity are needed.