Relationship between the Sit-to-Stand Test and lower extremity muscle strength in ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury

Abstract

The assessment of muscle strength is important for rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, current methods are time-consuming and have low sensitivity to reflect the changes of muscle strength. Therefore, this study explored the correlation between the five times sit- to-stand (FTSST) and lower extremity muscle strength (LEMS) in fourteen ambulatory patients with SCI. Every subject was assessed for the FTSST and LEMS using a hand held dynamometer. The findings were analyzed using the Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient. The result showed that the FTSST significantly correlated with total LEMS (r = -0.63, P < 0.05), particularly flexor and extensor muscle groups of the lower extremities (LEs) (r = -0.65, P < 0.05). However, the correlation was not significant with the flexor and adductor muscle groups (r = -0.52, P > 0.05). The result confirms the use of FTSST to monitor change of muscle strength of LEs, except hip adductor muscles.