@article{ref1,
title="Falls in independent ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury: incidence, associated factors and levels of ability",
journal="Spinal Cord",
year="2013",
author="Phonthee, S. and Saengsuwan, J. and Amatachaya, S.",
volume="51",
number="5",
pages="365-368",
abstract="Study Design: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.Spinal Cord advance online publication, 4 December 2012; doi:10.1038/sc.2012.147.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1362-4393",
doi="10.1038/sc.2012.147",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sc.2012.147"
}