Ann Rehabil Med.  2012 Aug;36(4):530-537. 10.5535/arm.2012.36.4.530.

Factors that Influence Quiet Standing Balance of Patients with Incomplete Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries

• Lee GE
• Bae H
• Yoon TS
• Kim JS
• Yi TI
• Park JS

• KMID: 2266724
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2012.36.4.530

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the factors influencing the quiet standing balance of patients with incomplete cervical spinal cord injuries. Also to find the correlations between posturographic parameters and clinical balance tests as well as to find the correlation between posturographic parameters and functional independence. METHOD: We conducted a tetra-ataxiometric posturography, lower extremity motor score (LEMS), Korean version of the Berg Balance Scale (K-BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and Korean Version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) of 10 patients. 10 healthy adults carried out the posturography. We checked stability, weight distribution, Fourier and synchronization indices of eight positions, and the fall index of the posturography.
RESULTS
The patient group showed significantly higher stability and weight distribution indices in all eight positions. Stability indices significantly increased with eyes closed or standing on pillows. Weight distribution indices were significantly higher with eyes closed or the head bent backwards. The patient group showed significantly higher Fourier indices of low, low-medium, and high frequency in eight positions. The Fourier indices at high-medium frequency were significantly higher with eyes closed on pillows or in variable head positions. There were no significant differences of synchronization indices between the patient and the control group. The falling index of the patient group significantly correlated with K-BBS, TUG, and K-MBI. LEMS had significant correlation with some synchronization indices, but not with the falling index.
CONCLUSION
The quiet standing balance of the patients was influenced by somatosensory limitations or insufficient visual compensation. We should try to improve the postural balance and functional independence of patients through proper proprioceptive and lower extremity strength training for better postural and pedal control, and to make efforts to minimize environmental hazards.

Keyword

Spinal cord injury; Balance; Posture; Barthel index

MeSH Terms

Adult
Compensation and Redress
Eye
Hazardous Substances
Head
Humans
Lower Extremity
Postural Balance
Posture
Resistance Training
Spinal Cord
Spinal Cord Injuries
Hazardous Substances

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Tetrax® (Sunlight Medical Ltd., Ramat Gan, Israel) is composed of monitor, desktop, four force platforms, and foam-rubber pillows (A). It was used to evaluate the postural balance (B). The patient was standing on pillows (C).

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