Failures on obstacle crossing task in independent ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury and associated factors.

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 8 cm, 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.