The Inﬂuence of Age at Pediatric-Onset Spinal Cord Injury and Years of Wheelchair Use on Shoulder Complex Joint Dynamics During Manual Wheelchair Propulsion

Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arrct.2022.100235 · Published: January 1, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Biomechanics

Simple Explanation

This study looks at how age at the time of a spinal cord injury (SCI) and the number of years someone has used a manual wheelchair affect the way their shoulder moves during wheelchair use. The research found that both the age when the SCI happened and how long someone has been using a wheelchair are linked to changes in shoulder mechanics during wheelchair propulsion. These changes in shoulder movement could be related to why some people who use wheelchairs develop shoulder pain and problems over time.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

17 manual wheelchair users (6 female, 11 male; mean age: 17.2 years, mean age at SCI onset: 11.5 years) with pediatric-onset SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Increasing age at SCI onset was associated with a decrease in maximum acromioclavicular upward rotation and an increase in acromioclavicular downward/upward rotation range of motion.
2
There were interactions between age at SCI onset and years of wheelchair use for maximum glenohumeral abduction, acromioclavicular downward/upward rotation range of motion, and minimum acromioclavicular upward rotation.
3
Increasing years of wheelchair use was associated with a decrease in glenohumeral internal rotation moment.

Research Summary

The study investigated the association between age at pediatric-onset SCI and years of manual wheelchair use with shoulder complex motions, forces, and moments during wheelchair propulsion. Results showed that age at SCI onset influenced acromioclavicular joint angle and range of motion, while years of wheelchair use affected glenohumeral internal rotation moment. The interaction between age at SCI onset and years of wheelchair use impacted glenohumeral abduction and acromioclavicular rotation, suggesting that the age at which SCI occurs and the duration of wheelchair use together influence shoulder biomechanics.

Practical Implications

Clinical Relevance

The findings suggest that age at SCI onset and years of wheelchair use are important factors in the incidence of shoulder pain and pathology in manual wheelchair users.

Future Research

Longitudinal studies are needed to establish the causal relationship between shoulder biomechanics during manual wheelchair propulsion and the development of shoulder pain or pathology.

Personalized Interventions

Understanding the biomechanical changes associated with age at SCI onset and years of wheelchair use could help tailor interventions to prevent shoulder pain and pathology.

Study Limitations

1
Cross-sectional study design does not account for longitudinal adaptions in shoulder biomechanics.
2
Group heterogeneity may have inﬂuenced our results.
3
All participants experienced minimal to no pain at the time of testing, which limits the scope of our ﬁndings within the context of pain.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury