Comparison of therapeutic interventions for gait rehabilitation in incomplete spinal cord injury : a scoping review protocol

Abstract

Globally, 250,000–500,000 people sustain a spinal cord injury (SCI) each year, with approximately 2,000 new cases reported annually in Germany. Demographic shifts increasingly challenge treatment centers: Whereas affected individuals were historically younger male trauma patients without comorbidities, most patients today are older than 60 years and frequently multimorbid. The proportion of incomplete SCIs is also rising. Rehabilitation aims to achieve the highest possible level of independence, with restoration of walking ability becoming a central goal in individuals with incomplete SCI. Long term outcomes depend on neurological recovery, medical and therapeutic interventions, and social participation, highlighting the importance of gait rehabilitation for autonomy and quality of life. Therapeutic approaches for gait recovery, however, are highly heterogeneous, and no standardized protocol exists. This variability limits comparability and underscores the need for a structured overview of current interventions. A scoping review can systematically map available evidence and identify key concepts, methodological limitations, and existing knowledge gaps to support evidence based practice in this evolving field.