Is There a New Road to Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation? A Case Report about the Effects of Driving a Go-Kart on Muscle Spasticity

Diseases, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases11030107 · Published: August 22, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Orthopedics Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This case report explores the impact of go-kart driving on muscle spasticity in a 50-year-old male with spinal cord injury (SCI). The study followed the patient before, immediately after, and weeks after a go-kart driving session to evaluate changes in spasticity. The findings suggest that a go-kart driving session can reduce muscle spasticity, tone, and stiffness in SCI patients. This improvement is similar to the effects observed with whole-body vibration (WBV) and may involve neuroendocrine reactions. This research opens potential new avenues for SCI rehabilitation, using adapted sports like go-karting to improve motor disabilities. However, more studies with larger groups are needed to confirm these results and understand the underlying mechanisms fully.

Study Duration

4 weeks

Participants

1 male with spastic paraplegia due to traumatic SCI

Evidence Level

Level 4, Case Report

Key Findings

1
A go-kart driving session can reduce muscle spasticity in a paraplegic patient who had an SCI.
2
Go-kart driving leads to a spasticity improvement according to the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and a reduction in terms of muscle tone and stiffness according to MyotonPRO measurements.
3
The muscle relaxant effects of go-kart driving are transient, with changes gradually regressing until a substantial return to the initial values at T3 (4 weeks after the session).

Research Summary

This case report investigates the effects of go-kart driving on muscle spasticity in a patient with spinal cord injury (SCI). The patient, who regularly practiced go-kart racing, reported transient reductions in spasticity after driving sessions. The study found that a go-kart driving session could reduce muscle spasticity, tone, and stiffness. These changes were assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and MyotonPro measurements, showing improvements immediately after the driving session that gradually regressed over four weeks. The authors hypothesize that the positive effects of go-kart driving on spasticity may be attributed to whole-body vibration (WBV) and neuroendocrine reactions. They suggest that go-kart driving could be a valid tool for rehabilitation, offering similar benefits to WBV while providing a fun and engaging sporting activity.

Practical Implications

New Rehabilitation Approach

Go-kart driving could be considered as a potential therapeutic option for spasticity treatment in patients with SCI or other neurological pathologies.

Alternative to WBV

Go-kart driving may offer similar benefits to whole-body vibration (WBV) in spasticity reduction, while also providing a sporting activity that patients find enjoyable.

Further Research

This study provides a starting point for further research with larger samples and long-term follow-ups to confirm the results and better understand the underlying mechanisms, including hormonal changes.

Study Limitations

1
Case report study with no control group.
2
Small sample size (single patient).
3
Lack of blood hormone dosage measurements to support the neuroendocrine hypothesis.

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