Conventional
Lokomat®
The conventional gait training (CGT) consisted of therapist assisted and/or use of assistive device (walker) for supported walking, if participants were able, or pre-walking exercises (trunk balance, sitting/standing balance, leg movements, etc.) if participants were not able to walk. In general, therapy was progressed with the aim to have participants actively participating for 45 minutes and to maximize steps walked.Treatment was provided by three therapists for the CGT group and a different three for the Lokomat® group. The “regular therapy team” was aware that their patients were involved in a trial (as they could see their patients’ schedule of activities) but were blinded to which of the two arms (Lokomat® or CGT). Paramount to this, the rating team was blinded in the same fashion and that team came from a different unit so there was no possibility for unblinding. Several approaches were used to assess fidelity with which the protocol was implemented. Especially since this was a pilot trial, careful attention was paid in the early stages to ensure key objectives were able to be accomplished. For example, the research coordinator worked diligently to try to ensure all supplemental sessions could be implemented during a busy inpatient schedule and with the normal complement of therapist during regular treatment hours. The therapists were trained by the research staff on the key goals of the supplemental sessions and how to go about achieving them. Consistency of the specific training, beyond the objectives and priorities as outlined in the supplemental material provided, was not enforced as one goal of the study was to implement supplemental 