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Shoulder Pain and Cycle to Cycle Kinematic Spatial Variability during Recovery Phase in Manual Wheelchair Users: A Pilot Investigation

PLoS ONE, 2014 · DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089794 · Published: March 10, 2014

Spinal Cord InjuryRehabilitationBiomechanics

Simple Explanation

This study looks at how the movement of manual wheelchair users (MWU) varies from one push to the next, specifically during the recovery phase (when the hand is not on the wheel). It compares people with shoulder pain to those without. The researchers used motion capture technology to track the wrist movements of participants as they propelled their wheelchairs at different speeds. The main finding was that people with shoulder pain had more variability in their wrist movements at the beginning of the recovery phase compared to those without pain. This suggests that analyzing movement variability could be a way to monitor and potentially rehabilitate shoulder pain in MWUs.

Study Duration
Not specified
Participants
10 experienced adult MWU with spinal cord injury (5 with shoulder pain; 5 without shoulder pain)
Evidence Level
Not specified

Key Findings

  • 1
    Spatial variability was highest at the start and end of the recovery phase and lowest during the middle of the recovery path.
  • 2
    Individuals with shoulder pain displayed significantly higher kinematic spatial variability than individuals without shoulder pain at the start (at 10% interval) of the recovery phase.
  • 3
    There was a significant main effect of interval on kinematic variability.

Research Summary

This pilot study investigated the relationship between shoulder pain and kinematic spatial variability during the recovery phase of manual wheelchair propulsion in individuals using a semi-circular pattern. The study found that participants with shoulder pain had significantly greater kinematic spatial variability at the beginning of the recovery phase compared to those without shoulder pain. The findings suggest that analyzing kinematic variability during the recovery phase may provide insights into shoulder pain in manual wheelchair users and could potentially be used for monitoring and rehabilitation.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategies

The findings suggest that rehabilitation programs could focus on reducing kinematic spatial variability during the recovery phase to alleviate shoulder pain.

Monitoring Tool

Kinematic spatial variability could be used as a tool to monitor the development and progression of shoulder pain in manual wheelchair users.

Personalized Interventions

Analyzing individual variability patterns may allow for the development of personalized interventions tailored to address specific movement impairments.

Study Limitations

  • 1
    The small sample size raises issues with generalizability.
  • 2
    The current data and experimental design cannot address whether increased variability in the recovery kinematics results from shoulder pain or vice versa.
  • 3
    Not including a physical examination to assess the nature of shoulder pain (impingement or neuropathic) is another limitation.

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