Efﬁcacy of Wheelchair Skills Training Program in Enhancing Sitting Balance and Pulmonary Function in Chronic Tetraplegic Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study

Medicina, 2023 · DOI: 10.3390/medicina59091610 · Published: September 6, 2023

Simple Explanation

This study explores whether a wheelchair skills training program (WSTP) can improve sitting balance and lung function in individuals with long-term tetraplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving WSTP and the other conventional physical therapy. The WSTP group showed significant improvements in both sitting balance and lung function after the training period. This suggests that WSTP could be a beneficial intervention for improving these aspects in tetraplegic patients. The study also found a strong link between sitting balance and lung function, implying that improvements in one area could positively influence the other. This highlights the potential of WSTP to enhance overall functional wellness in individuals with cSCI.

Study Duration

8 Weeks

Participants

24 patients with tetraplegia

Evidence Level

Randomized Controlled Study

Key Findings

1
The WSTP group demonstrated significant improvements in sitting balance, as measured by the ABLE scale, compared to the control group.
2
Participants in the WSTP group experienced significant improvements in pulmonary function, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF).
3
A strong positive correlation was observed between ABLE scores (sitting balance) and pulmonary function parameters (FVC, FEV1, and PEF) across all time points.

Research Summary

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a wheelchair skills training program (WSTP) on sitting balance and pulmonary function in patients with chronic tetraplegia resulting from cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI). The results indicated that the WSTP group showed significant improvements in both sitting balance and pulmonary function compared to the control group, which received conventional physical therapy. The study concludes that WSTP can be a beneficial intervention for improving sitting balance and specific aspects of lung function in individuals with tetraplegia, highlighting the importance of targeted training programs.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategies

WSTP can be integrated into rehabilitation programs for patients with chronic tetraplegia to improve sitting balance and pulmonary function.

Improved Independence

Enhancing wheelchair skills can lead to greater independence and improved quality of life for individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries.

Respiratory Health

Targeted training programs like WSTP can address pulmonary function impairments, reducing the risk of respiratory complications in tetraplegic patients.

Study Limitations

1
Limited number of participants may limit the generalizability of these ﬁndings
2
This study lacked long-term follow-up data
3
Muscle strength or activity was not assessed

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury