Article

A pilot prospective pre- and post-intervention study. Objectives:To
determine whether a dynamic standing program using the Segway Personal
Transporter results in any measurable physiological effects in individuals with
spinal cord injury (SCI) using both qualitative and quantitative measures of
spasticity, pain and fatigue.Setting:International Collaboration of Repair
Discoveries (ICORD) Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada.Methods:Eight
individuals with SCI ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) A-D, who could
stand with or without the assistance of bracing or supports, participated in a
4-week dynamic standing program using a Segway (3 per week, 30-min sessions). The
main outcome was spasticity as measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS).
Secondary measures included the SCI-Spasticity Evaluation Tool, Pain Outcomes
Questionnaire, and Fatigue Severity Scale.Results:The dynamic standing sessions
were associated with immediate improvements in spasticity (MAS) (P<0.001) and
self-reported pain (P<0.05). Fatigue levels decreased, however this was not
significant. There is little evidence to suggest that these beneficial outcomes
may have lasting effects.Conclusions:Dynamic standing on the Segway may be
effective for short-term spasticity reduction and decreased pain and fatigue.
Future work should examine a larger sample size and help to propose mechanisms
for potential reductions in spasticity.

Langue : ANGLAIS