Original Article
Spinal Cord (2008) 46, 352–357; doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3102153; published online 11 December 2007
Objective assessment of mobility of the spinal cord injured in a free-living environment
S K M Wilson1, J P Hasler2, P M Dall3 and M H Granat3
- 1Bioengineering Unit, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
- 2Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK
- 3School of Health and Social Care, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
Correspondence: Dr PM Dall, School of Health and Social Care, Glasgow Caledonian University, City Campus, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK. E-mail: philippa.dall@gcal.ac.uk
Received 19 May 2007; Revised 16 October 2007; Accepted 16 October 2007; Published online 11 December 2007.
Abstract
Study design:
An exploratory study of the practicality and feasibility of an instrument.
Objectives:
To adapt an activity monitor for use on a wheelchair to assess long-term mobility in a free-living environment in the spinal cord injury (SCI) population, and to explore the utility of the data collected.
Setting:
Glasgow, UK.
Methods:
An activity monitor was adapted for use on a wheelchair wheel. The monitor was used to assess, for 1 week, the wheelchair mobility of seven participants with SCI who only used a wheelchair. In conjunction with a second monitor on the thigh the mobility of seven participants with SCI who used a wheelchair and upright mobility, and five healthy non-wheelchair users, were assessed for 1 day.
Results:
The adapted monitor collected 1260 h of data and was suitable for use on both manual and electric wheelchairs. During 1 week, participants with SCI who only used a wheelchair spent between 4 and 13 h moving in the wheelchair, covering a distance of between 7 and 28 km. Distinct differences in mobility were shown between participants with an SCI and non-wheelchair users. The differences in time spent in mobility activities between the groups of participants with SCI were smaller.
Conclusions:
The system was successfully used in this group of participants with SCI, and could provide useful information on the mobility of people with SCI in a free-living environment.
Keywords:
spinal cord injury, wheelchair, mobility, physical activity, assessment
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