Article

A controlled single-case design OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of TT on functional health status (FHS) and quality of life (QoL) in subjects with a chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (ISCI). SETTING: Rehabilitation Department, University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands. METHODS: Three male subjects with a stable (>48 months postinjury) ISCI, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) class C (n=2) and D (n=1). Performance-based walking, subject's perception concerning quality of life (SEIQoL) and activities of daily living Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). RESULTS: The results of the three subjects were variable. Changes in QoL were relatively small and diverse. After 6 months' follow-up, QoL was unchanged in subjects 1 and 2, and improved in subject 3. In subject 2, performance of activities of daily living (ADL) was significantly improved, consistent with his perception of improvement (P<0.05), and this improvement was sustained throughout the follow-up period. Walking ability improved in subject 3 (P<0.05) but performance of other activities remained stable. Performance of ADL decreased slightly in subject 1 whereas his walking speed and Get up and Go performance improved (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates positive effects of TT on FHS. A randomised clinical trial should be executed before definite conclusions about the effect of TT on FHS and QoL can be drawn.

Langue : ANGLAIS