Citation

Phonthee S, Saengsuwan J, Amatachaya S. Spinal Cord 2013; 51(5): 365-368.

Affiliation

1] School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand [2] Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life (IPQ) Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, International Spinal Cord Society, Publisher Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1038/sc.2012.147

PMID

23208539

Abstract

Study Design:A 6-month retrospective study.Objectives:To investigate incidence and factors associated with falls in independent ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), and to compare levels of ability in those with and without a history of falls.Setting:A tertiary rehabilitation center and community hospitals.Methods:Seventy-seven independent ambulatory subjects with SCI were interviewed for fall data during 6 months before participation in the study. Subjects were also assessed for their functional ability using the timed up and go test (TUGT) and the 6-min walk test (6MinWT).Results:Twenty-six subjects (34%) reported falls during 6 months (range 1-6 times). After falls, two subjects required medical attention due to wrist joint fracture and back pain. Walking without a walking device significantly increased the risk of fall, whereas using a walker significantly reduced the risk of fall (P<0.05). Moreover, faller subjects showed significantly better levels of ability than the non-faller subjects (P<0.005 for the TUGT and P<0.05 for the 6MinWT).Conclusion:Approximately one-third of the independent ambulatory subjects with SCI experienced falls. Notably, faller subjects had better functional ability than the non-faller subjects. Thus, apart from emphasizing the ability to walk independently, rehabilitation professionals may need to seek strategies that improve balance and safety.Spinal Cord advance online publication, 4 December 2012; doi:10.1038/sc.2012.147.

Language: en