Knee Extensor Muscle Strength to Measure the Ability of Five Times Sit to Stand Independently in Patients with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Malays J Med Sci, 2022 · DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.5.8 · Published: October 28, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Musculoskeletal Medicine

Simple Explanation

Patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries often experience falls when trying to stand from a seated position due to muscle weakness. This study aims to determine the relationship between knee extensor muscle strength and the ability to perform the five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST). The five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST) is a method to determine lower limb function and is related to lower extremity muscle strength. This study uses this test to explore the cut-off point for knee extensor muscle strength. The study found that a knee extensor muscle strength of ≥ 53.06 Newton was the best independent predictor of the FTSST results. This information can help medical professionals set rehabilitation goals for patients with iSCI.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

44 participants with incomplete spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional study

Key Findings

1
Knee extensor muscle strength ≥ 53.06 Newton was the best independent predictor of the FTSST results, with a sensitivity of 72.7% and specificity of 72.7%.
2
Knee extensor muscle strength was significantly correlated with the FTSST results (r = ─0.45, P = 0.035).
3
Participants who could stand up without hand support performed better than those who required hand support (P < 0.05).

Research Summary

This study investigated the cut-off point for knee extensor muscle strength to independently determine the ability of patients with iSCI to stand up five times from a chair without using their hands for support. The findings suggest that when measured with a HHD, knee extensor muscle strength ≥ 53.06 Newton indicates that patients with iSCI may be able to stand up from a chair independently. These findings might help medical professionals set goals related to knee extensor muscle strength for patients with iSCI before they stand up.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Goal Setting

The identified cut-off point of 53.06 Newton for knee extensor muscle strength can be used by medical professionals to set targeted rehabilitation goals for patients with iSCI, aiming to improve their ability to stand independently.

Fall Prevention

By focusing on improving knee extensor muscle strength to the identified threshold, interventions can be designed to reduce the risk of falls in patients with iSCI when standing up from a seated position.

Assessment and Monitoring

The study supports the use of HHD and FTSST as reliable tools for assessing and monitoring the progress of patients with iSCI in rehabilitation programs, providing quantitative data to guide treatment strategies.

Study Limitations

1
The study did not determine the strength cut-off points for other lower extremity muscles.
2
This study only included patients with AIS Grade D injuries.
3
This study did not measure the force of the participants’ hands while they stood up from the chair.

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