| Abstract |
OBSTACLE CROSSING ABILITY IN INDEPENDENT AMBULATORY PATIENTS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY
Weeraya Pramodhyakul1,2, Sugalya Amatachaya1,2, Pattra Wuttanapun3, Wantana Siritaratiwat1,2, Wichai Eungpinichpong1
1School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 40002
2Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life (IPQ) research group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen,Thailand 40002
3Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen,Thailand 40002
Background: Obstacle crossing is one of many complex tasks associated with ambulation in an everyday environment. Fail on obstacle crossing can lead to a trip and subsequent fall. Independent ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) encounter high risk of fall. Knowledge regarding ability on obstacle crossing in these patients is crucial to improve their gait safety.
Objectives: To describe obstacle crossing ability in independent ambulatory participants with SCI who walked with and without walking devices, and to compare balance control between the participants who pass and fail on obstacle crossing.
Materials and methods: Thirty-three participants (21 walked with a walking device, and 12 walked without a walking device) were investigated their ability to walk over small obstacles in six sizes and balance control by using Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT). Descriptive statistics were applied to explain findings of the study. Ability of balance control of participants who passed and failed on obstacle crossing was compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Levels of significant differences were set at 0.05.
Results: Eleven from 21 participants who walked with walking devices (52.38%) failed on obstacle crossing. In contrast, every participant who walked without walking devices passed to walk over an obstacle. Participants who passed on obstacle crossing required time to complete the TUGT significantly less than that of those who failed on obstacle crossing (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Participants with SCI who walked with a walking device encountered a high risk injury when walking over small obstacles. Physiotherapists need to emphasize on the improvement of balance control in order to promote ability of obstacle crossing and minimize the risk of injury of the patient after discharge.
Keyword : Spinal cord injury, Obstacle crossing, Fall, Balance, Rehabilitation
Funding support : Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life (IPQ) research group, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Graduate school, Khon Kaen University
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Publication
Journal Publication
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