Center-of-pressure total trajectory length is a complementary measure to maximum excursion to better differentiate multidirectional standing limits of stability between individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury and able-bodied individuals

Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2014 · DOI: 10.1186/1743-0003-11-8 · Published: January 17, 2014

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how people with incomplete spinal cord injuries (SCI) maintain balance while standing and moving in different directions. The study uses a 'limits of stability' test where participants lean in various directions to see how far they can go without losing balance. Researchers found that people with SCI tend to have less precise movements compared to those without SCI when trying to reach their limits of stability.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

16 individuals with an incomplete spinal cord injury and 16 able-bodied individuals

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Individuals with SCI showed a significantly greater COPlength (total distance traveled by the center of pressure) compared to able-bodied individuals in most directions.
2
Individuals with SCI had a significantly smaller COPmax (maximal distance reached by the center of pressure) in the anterior direction.
3
There was little association between the comfortable multidirectional limits of stability test and the quasi-static postural balance test.

Research Summary

The study aimed to quantify and characterize dynamic postural balance while standing among individuals with a spinal cord injury using the comfortable multidirectional limits of stability test and to explore its association with the quasi-static standing postural balance test. The COPlength of individuals with SCI was significantly greater than that of able-bodied individuals in all tested directions except in the anterior and posterior directions, indicating an increased COP trajectory while progressing towards their maximal distance. Standing dynamic postural balance performance in individuals with an incomplete spinal cord injury can be differentiated from that of able-bodied individuals with the comfortable limits of stability test.

Practical Implications

Assessment Tool

The comfortable limits of stability test provides supplementary information and could serve as an adjunct to the quasi-static test when evaluating postural balance in an incomplete spinal cord injury population.

Rehabilitation Focus

Rehabilitation programs for individuals with SCI should focus on improving movement precision and control during dynamic activities.

Understanding Balance Deficits

The COPlength measure can help differentiate between individuals with SCI and able-bodied individuals, providing insights into the nature of balance deficits after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The study only included community ambulators with SCI, limiting the generalizability to individuals with more severe impairments.
2
COP-based measures were not normalized using the dimension of the base of support or foot length.
3
The reliability and minimal detectable change of the COPmax and the COPlength were not assessed.

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