Postural changes with aging in tetraplegia: Effects on life satisfaction and pain

Objectives: (1)To measure kyphosis and scoliosis in individuals with tetrap legia; (2) to examine the relation between kyphosis and scoliosis and years since injury; and (3) to determine the association between kyphosis and sc oliosis and measures of pain, depression, and life satisfaction. Design: Cross-sectional, case-control study. Setting: University medical center and a free-standing university-affiliate rehabilitation hospital. Participants: (1) Ten individuals with tetraplegia 1 to 3 years postinjury (NT); (2) 10 individuals with tetraplegia 10 to 20 years postinjury (OT); a nd (3) 10 control individuals (C) matched to the other subjects on the basi s of age, height, and weight. Main Outcome Measures: Radiographic measurements of kyphosis and scoliosis taken in a seated position, pain as measured by the short form of the McGil l Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), depression as measured by the Center for Epi demiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), and life satisfaction as mea sured by the Life Satisfaction Index Assessment (LSIA) and the Craig Handic ap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART). Results: No significant differences were seen between the OT and NT groups with respect to age, height, or weight. In addition, no significant differe nces were found between the NT and OT groups with respect to measures of ky phosis and scoliosis. Individuals with tetraplegia had significantly higher (p < .05) measures of kyphosis (42 degrees +/- 16.0 degrees) and scoliosis (14 degrees +/- 9.2 degrees) than the C subjects (kyphosis, 32 degrees +/- 7.9 degrees; scoliosis, 5 degrees +/- 3.8 degrees). No correlation was fou nd between scores on the SF-MPQ and degree of kyphosis or scoliosis. Signif icant differences were seen between the NT and OT groups on both CES-D (NT, 15.2 +/- 8.1; OT, 5.8 +/- 5.5) and LSIA (NT, 9.9 +/- 2.8; OT, 14.4 +/- 2.9 ). Conclusion: This study indicates that seated kyphosis and scoliosis develop early in individuals with tetraplegia and may not be progressive. No assoc iation was seen between pain and kyphosis or scoliosis in this relatively y oung sample (mean age of OT and NT combined, 34.8 years). Future research i s needed to determine whether pain becomes a problem in individuals with si gnificant kyphosis or scoliosis as they age. (C) 1998 by the American Congr ess of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicin e and Rehabilitation.