Giovanni Merolla1, Fabio Dellabiancia2, Maria Vittoria Filippi3, Elisa De Santis4, Daniele Alpi2, Paola Magrini2, Giuseppe Porcellini5. 1. Unit of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica, AUSL della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Italy ; Biomechanics laboratory "Marco Simoncelli", D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica, della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Italy. 2. Biomechanics laboratory "Marco Simoncelli", D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica, della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Italy. 3. Service of Functional Recovery and Rehabilitation, AUSL della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Italy. 4. Biomechanics laboratory "Marco Simoncelli", D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica, della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Italy ; ShoulderTeam Rehabilitative Office, Forlì, Italy. 5. Unit of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica, AUSL della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: a regular program of exercises in subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) can contribute to reduce the risk of upper extremities injuries. METHODS: in this prospective laboratory study we tested the hypothesis that a training machine developed for able-body users is suitable for a shoulder training protocol in 11 paraplegic subjects with SCI. Overall subjects were assessed with the SCIM III, CS, DASH and standard shoulder examination. We set a protocol of shoulder exercises performed with a training machine. Overall subjects were able to perform the protocol but 2 did not complete the exercises n° 6 and 7. The position of the wheelchair during each exercise was recorded. Wheelchair position/loading level were significantly correlated with the protocol n° 2, 3 and 5 as well as BMI/loading level for the exercises n° 5 and 9 and age/loading level for the exercise n° 7. Clinical scores were neither correlated with loading nor with anthropometric data. RESULTS/ CONCLUSIONS: FROM THE ANALYSIS OF DATA COLLECTED IN THIS STUDY ARISED THAT: 1) the training machine needs some adjustments for paraplegic subjects, 2) the training protocol was appropriate except for the exercises needing a torso-rotation and 3) the template for wheelchair position may be a valid guide for an optimal paraplegic shoulder training.
BACKGROUND: a regular program of exercises in subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) can contribute to reduce the risk of upper extremities injuries. METHODS: in this prospective laboratory study we tested the hypothesis that a training machine developed for able-body users is suitable for a shoulder training protocol in 11 paraplegic subjects with SCI. Overall subjects were assessed with the SCIM III, CS, DASH and standard shoulder examination. We set a protocol of shoulder exercises performed with a training machine. Overall subjects were able to perform the protocol but 2 did not complete the exercises n° 6 and 7. The position of the wheelchair during each exercise was recorded. Wheelchair position/loading level were significantly correlated with the protocol n° 2, 3 and 5 as well as BMI/loading level for the exercises n° 5 and 9 and age/loading level for the exercise n° 7. Clinical scores were neither correlated with loading nor with anthropometric data. RESULTS/ CONCLUSIONS: FROM THE ANALYSIS OF DATA COLLECTED IN THIS STUDY ARISED THAT: 1) the training machine needs some adjustments for paraplegic subjects, 2) the training protocol was appropriate except for the exercises needing a torso-rotation and 3) the template for wheelchair position may be a valid guide for an optimal paraplegic shoulder training.