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Original article| Volume 96, ISSUE 1, P43-48, January 2015

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Failures on Obstacle Crossing Task in Independent Ambulatory Patients With Spinal Cord Injury and Associated Factors

  • Sugalya Amatachaya
    Correspondence
    Corresponding author Sugalya Amatachaya, PT, PhD, School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002 Thailand.
    Affiliations
    School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen; and Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
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  • Weeraya Pramodhyakul
    Affiliations
    School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen; and Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
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  • Kittiyawadee Srisim
    Affiliations
    School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen; and Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
    Search for articles by this author
Published:August 20, 2014DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2014.07.411

      Abstract

      Objectives

      To primarily explore the proportion and factors relating to failure on an obstacle crossing task in ambulatory participants with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI); and to compare balance ability between participants who passed and failed on an obstacle crossing task.

      Design

      Cross-sectional design.

      Setting

      Tertiary rehabilitation center.

      Participants

      Independent ambulatory participants with an iSCI (N=113).

      Interventions

      Not applicable.

      Main Outcome Measures

      Primary outcomes were the ability to walk over small obstacles of sizes that are commonly found in homes and communities and factors relating to failure on an obstacle crossing task. The secondary outcome was the data from the timed Up and Go (TUG) test.

      Results

      Of the participants, 33 failed to walk over an obstacle. Using a walker significantly increased chance of failure, whereas having incomplete paraplegia and American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade D were the protective factors for the event (P≤.01). The number of failures was also significantly increased because of leg contact with a wide or relative large obstacle (4 and 8cm, P<.001). Furthermore, participants who failed required significantly longer time to complete the TUG test than those who passed an obstacle crossing task (P<.001).

      Conclusions

      Apart from the ability of independent walking, rehabilitation professionals may need to emphasize the ability of movement modification of the lower extremities and balance control to improve safety issues for the patients.

      Keywords

      List of abbreviations:

      AIS (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale), iSCI (incomplete spinal cord injury), SCI (spinal cord injury), TUG (timed Up and Go)
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