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Foot placement variability as a walking balance mechanism post-spinal cord injury

Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon), 2012 · DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2011.09.001 · Published: February 1, 2012

Spinal Cord InjuryRehabilitationBiomechanics

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries can disrupt a person's balance while walking, making it important to find ways to measure their balance abilities. This study looks at how much people with spinal cord injuries vary their foot placement when walking without assistance. Researchers compared the foot placement variability of individuals with SCI to that of healthy controls. They also investigated if these variations are related to clinical balance assessments and if simpler spatial parameters could reflect more complex balance measurements. The study aimed to determine if spatial parameter variability could be used as a clinical correlate for more complex balance measurements. They investigated walking balance through variability in spatial parameters, foot placement relative to the CoM, and MoS in persons post-SCI.

Study Duration
Not specified
Participants
10 persons with spinal cord injury and 10 healthy controls
Evidence Level
Cross-sectional study

Key Findings

  • 1
    Participants with spinal cord injury showed significantly different variability in all biomechanical measures compared to controls.
  • 2
    Berg Balance Scale scores were significantly inversely associated with step length as well as anteroposterior and mediolateral foot placement variability.
  • 3
    Participants with spinal cord injury showed significant correlations between spatial parameter variability and all other measures

Research Summary

This study investigated walking balance in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) by examining the variability in foot placement and other biomechanical measures. Researchers compared SCI participants to healthy controls and assessed the relationship between variability measures and clinical balance assessments. The study found that individuals with SCI exhibited significantly different variability in their stepping patterns compared to controls. Specifically, they showed greater variability in step width, step length, foot placement, and margin of stability. The research suggests that spatial parameter variability, such as step width and length, may serve as a clinical correlate for more complex balance measurements in individuals with SCI. This could aid clinicians in assessing and treating balance deficits in this population.

Practical Implications

Clinical Assessment

Spatial parameter variability can be used in clinical settings to assess balance control in individuals with SCI.

Therapeutic Intervention

Targeted therapies can be developed to address specific balance deficits based on the identified variability patterns.

Rehabilitation Strategies

Emphasize activity-based therapies that encourage individuals with SCI to improve their balance without assistive devices.

Study Limitations

  • 1
    Small sample size limits the generalizability of findings
  • 2
    The number of steps taken by individuals with SCI during trials was limited
  • 3
    The testing environment, using a treadmill and safety harness, may not fully replicate real-world walking conditions

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