Functional mobility and ability of obstacle crossing in independent ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury

Abstract

The research investigated obstacle crossing ability in independent ambulatory participants with spinal cord injury (SCI) and compared functional mobility between participants who passed and failed on obstacle crossing. Thirty-seven participants (24 participants walked with a walking device) were investigated ability of walking over small obstacles in six sizes and functional mobility by using the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) and Five Times Sit to Stand Test (FTSST). The results demonstrated that 11 participants (42 %) failed on obstacle crossing in which all of them walked with walking devices. Participants who passed on obstacle crossing had significantly better results of the 10MWT and TUGT than those who failed on obstacle crossing (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences of the FTSST between participants in both groups. The results indicated that independent ambulatory participants with SCI still had trouble on obstacle crossing, especially in those who walked with a walking device. Participants who failed on obstacle crossing also had more problems on balance control and walking ability than those who passed on obstacle crossing.

-ser:� mo���5(font-family:AngsanaNew-Bold;mso-bidi-font-family: "Angsana New"'>royal traditional Thai massage to decrease pain and increase the range of motion of neck and shoulder in patients with MPS. Thirty volunteers (15 males and 15 females) who had pain at the right upper trapezius muscle participated. The pain pressure threshold, visual analog scale, and the range of motion of neck and shoulder were measured in all volunteers. The 20 minutes royal traditional Thai massage was applied in three sessions. Results showed that pain pressure threshold and range of motion of neck and shoulder were significantly increased after treatment with royal traditional Thai massage (P < 0.05). Additionally, visual analog scale was significantly decreased after the treatment with royal traditional Thai massage (P< 0.05). In conclusion, royal traditional Thai massage may be one of good treatments for reducing pain in MPS.