D. Kamper et al., Preliminary investigation of the lateral postural stability of spinal cord-injured individuals subjected to dynamic perturbations, SPINAL CORD, 37(1), 1999, pp. 40-46
Study Design: A study of the impact of spinal cord injury (SCI) on seated b
alance was conducted by comparing the results obtained from experiments wit
h able-bodied and SCI subjects.
Objectives: The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine the latera
l postural stability of seated individuals with SCI in a dynamic environmen
t.
Setting: Experiments were conducted at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in C
leveland, Ohio.
Methods: Controlled perturbations were applied to each subject, seated in a
wheelchair, through the use of a servo-controlled tilt platform. The platf
orm was rotated so as to create disturbances similar in nature to those exp
erienced in the frontal plane during left turns in a vehicle. Four quadripl
egic, four paraplegic, and five able-bodied subjects participated in this s
tudy. Kinematic information and center of pressure (COP) movement were reco
rded.
Results: None of the spinal cord-injured subjects was able to maintain his
stability when exposed to the stronger perturbations, while all of the able
-bodied subjects stayed uptight for all of the trials. On an individual bas
is, injury level was not always indicative of balance. However, regression
results suggest a correlation between ability to perform static leaning and
dynamic balance (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: SCI subjects lost stability under dynamic conditions even thou
gh they were stable in the static situation. Initial results also raise som
e questions about where and when external support may be needed. Informatio
n of this nature could help to guide the design of new lateral supports wit
h improved client acceptance.