Article

A 6-month retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate incidence
and factors associated with falls in independent ambulatory patients with spinal
cord injury (SCI), and to compare levels of ability in those with and without a
history of falls. SETTING: A tertiary rehabilitation center and community
hospitals. METHODS: Seventy-seven independent ambulatory subjects with SCI were
interviewed for fall data during 6 months before participation in the study.
Subjects were also assessed for their functional ability using the timed up and
go test (TUGT) and the 6-min walk test (6MinWT). RESULTS: Twenty-six subjects
(34%) reported falls during 6 months (range 1-6 times). After falls, two subjects
required medical attention due to wrist joint fracture and back pain. Walking
without a walking device significantly increased the risk of fall, whereas using
a walker significantly reduced the risk of fall (P<0.05). Moreover, faller
subjects showed significantly better levels of ability than the non-faller
subjects (P<0.005 for the TUGT and P<0.05 for the 6MinWT). CONCLUSION:
Approximately one-third of the independent ambulatory subjects with SCI
experienced falls. Notably, faller subjects had better functional ability than
the non-faller subjects. Thus, apart from emphasizing the ability to walk
independently, rehabilitation professionals may need to seek strategies that
improve balance and safety.

Langue : ANGLAIS