Citation

Amatachaya S, Srisim K, Thaweewannakij T, Arrayawichanon P, Amatachaya P, Mato L. Clin. Rehabil. 2019; 33(1): 120-127.

Affiliation

Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life (IPQ) Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0269215518788913

PMID

30033756

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cognitive-motor interference using ability of dual-task obstacle crossing could predict a risk of fall in 90 ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury.

DESIGN: Six-month prospective study. SETTING: A rehabilitation center and community hospitals. SUBJECTS: Independent ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects were interviewed and evaluated for personal characteristics, dual-task obstacle crossing ability, and functional ability using the 10 Meter Walk Test, Timed Up and Go Test, and Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test. Then they were prospectively monitored for fall data every month for six months in total.

RESULTS: A total of 90 chronic ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury with an average age of 52.51 ± 13.43 years, who mostly had mild lesion severity ( n = 71, 79%) and walked with a walking device ( n = 54, 60%) completed in the study. More than one-third of the subjects ( n = 32, 36%) failed in dual-task obstacle crossing. The failures were obviously associated with the fall (unadjusted odds ratio = 7.07, P < 0.002, power = 1.000).

CONCLUSION: Cognitive-motor interference is important for ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury, as it could detect those with low functional ability and risk of future falls.

Language: en

Keywords

Assessment; cognitive-motor interference; fall; spinal cord lesion; walking