Date Approved

6-13-2017

Embargo Period

6-13-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MS Mechanical Engineering

Department

Mechanical Engineering

College

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering

Advisor

Kadlowec, Jennifer

Committee Member 1

Singh, Anita

Committee Member 2

Beachley, Vincent

Keywords

Bone Degeneration, Bone Recovery, Muscle Atrophy, Muscle Recovery, Spinal Cord Injury, Training

Subject(s)

Spinal cord--Wounds and injuries--Rehabilitation

Disciplines

Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering | Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

The effects spinal cord injury (SCI) has have been studied in both human and animal models. Specifically in incomplete SCI, the bone degradation and muscle atrophy seen in the lower limbs has been documented, along with the effects of different training paradigms on bone and muscle loss. This study implemented a clinically relevant animal model of a moderate spinal contusion injury at the T9--T10 level, along with active body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) and passive bike training, to compare the effects such training methods have on the bone microstructure properties and muscle masses in the lower limbs of rats. Behavioral BBB and wire grid testing, along with three-point bending, was conducted. Our results showed that both passive and active trained animals did not show any significant differences from normal animals in metaphyseal region bone volume over total volume (BV/TV), and bike trained animals had no significant differences in trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) from normal animals. Further comparisons were drawn from the remaining properties of trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), and soleus muscle masses. This study allows for a comprehensive view of bone recovery on SCI with active and passive training paradigms.

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