Association between reliance on devices and people for walking and ability to walk community distances among persons with spinal cord injury

This study looks at how people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) use devices or other people to help them walk, and how this affects their ability to walk distances in the community and climb stairs. The study found that people who are able to walk longer distances in the community are more likely to be independent walkers or use only one cane or crutch. Those who rely on other people or use a walker tend to walk shorter distances. The researchers suggest that when assessing people with SCI, it's important to consider how much they rely on devices or other people for help, as this can impact their potential for walking in the community.

• 1
  Participants best able to ambulate community distances were those who were independent with ambulation and those who used one cane or crutch.
• 2
  Reliance on people or use of a walker was associated with walking shorter distances.
• 3
  Participants who did not use braces were five times as likely to ambulate community distances (1000+ ft) compared with those who used braces.