Scapulothoracic and Glenohumeral Kinematics During Daily Tasks in Users of Manual Wheelchairs

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol., 2015 · DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2015.00183 · Published: November 20, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Biomechanics

Simple Explanation

This study investigates shoulder joint movement in manual wheelchair users with shoulder pain during common daily activities. The research focuses on how different tasks affect the space within the shoulder joint, potentially leading to pain. The tasks examined included wheelchair propulsion, weight relief lifts, and arm elevation, comparing the joint movements to identify which activities might be more harmful to the shoulder. The findings aim to help therapists better understand movement contributions to shoulder pain in wheelchair users and to improve treatment planning for this population.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

15 MWC users with shoulder pain

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional study

Key Findings

1
Weight relief resulted in more internal rotation of the glenohumeral joint compared to propulsion and scapular plane abduction.
2
Scapular plane abduction led to greater internal rotation of the scapulothoracic joint than weight relief and propulsion.
3
Weight relief and propulsion showed greater anterior tilt of the scapulothoracic joint compared to scapular plane abduction.

Research Summary

This study compared scapulothoracic and glenohumeral kinematics during wheelchair propulsion, weight relief, and scapular plane abduction in manual wheelchair users with shoulder pain. The results indicated significant differences in joint rotations between the tasks, suggesting that weight relief and propulsion may be more detrimental to the shoulder. The findings can help therapists in assessing movement contributions to shoulder pain and in treatment planning for this population.

Practical Implications

Targeted Therapy

Therapists can focus on improving upward rotation during propulsion and reducing anterior tilt during weight relief to minimize shoulder impingement risk.

Task Modification

Modifying how weight relief is performed to reduce anterior tilt may decrease shoulder pain risk.

Exercise Focus

Rehabilitation interventions should consider exercises that target the scapulothoracic muscle groups to improve shoulder kinematics.

Study Limitations

1
Surface-based measures of kinematics are subject to skin motion artifact.
2
Humeral head translation values were not included in the analysis.
3
Task kinematics were collected in the same order for all subjects, so an order effect is possible.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury