Nathan S Hogaboom1, Lynn A Worobey2, Michael L Boninger3. 1. Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. 2. Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. 3. Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: boninger@pitt.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how transfer technique and subject characteristics relate to ultrasound measures of shoulder soft tissue pathology and self-reported shoulder pain during transfers in a sample of wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: Research laboratory, national and local veterans' wheelchair sporting events. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of wheelchair users (N=76) with nonprogressive SCI. Participants were aged >18 years, >1 year postinjury, and could complete repeated independent wheelchair transfers without the use of their leg muscles. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Transfer pain items from the Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index; transfer technique assessed using the Transfer Assessment Instrument (TAI); and shoulder pathology markers examined using the Ultrasound Shoulder Pathology Rating Scale (USPRS). RESULTS: Better transfer technique (higher TAI) correlated with less injury (lower USPRS) (partial η(2)=.062, P<.05) and less pain during transfers (partial η(2)=.049, P<.10). Greater age was the strongest predictor of greater pathology (USPRS total: partial η(2)=.225, supraspinatus grade: partial η(2)=.174, P<.01). An interaction between technique and weight was found (P<.10): participants with lower body weights showed a decrease in pathology markers with better transfer technique (low weight: R(2)=.422, P<.05; middle weight: R(2)=.200, P<.01), while those with higher weight showed little change with technique (R(2)=.018, P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Participants with better transfer technique exhibited less shoulder pathology and reported less pain during transfers. The relationship between technique and pathology was strongest in lower-weight participants. While causation cannot be proven because of study design, it is possible that using a better transfer technique and optimizing body weight could reduce the incidence of shoulder pathology and pain.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how transfer technique and subject characteristics relate to ultrasound measures of shoulder soft tissue pathology and self-reported shoulder pain during transfers in a sample of wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: Research laboratory, national and local veterans' wheelchair sporting events. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of wheelchair users (N=76) with nonprogressive SCI. Participants were aged >18 years, >1 year postinjury, and could complete repeated independent wheelchair transfers without the use of their leg muscles. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Transfer pain items from the Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index; transfer technique assessed using the Transfer Assessment Instrument (TAI); and shoulder pathology markers examined using the Ultrasound Shoulder Pathology Rating Scale (USPRS). RESULTS: Better transfer technique (higher TAI) correlated with less injury (lower USPRS) (partial η(2)=.062, P<.05) and less pain during transfers (partial η(2)=.049, P<.10). Greater age was the strongest predictor of greater pathology (USPRS total: partial η(2)=.225, supraspinatus grade: partial η(2)=.174, P<.01). An interaction between technique and weight was found (P<.10): participants with lower body weights showed a decrease in pathology markers with better transfer technique (low weight: R(2)=.422, P<.05; middle weight: R(2)=.200, P<.01), while those with higher weight showed little change with technique (R(2)=.018, P>.05). CONCLUSIONS:Participants with better transfer technique exhibited less shoulder pathology and reported less pain during transfers. The relationship between technique and pathology was strongest in lower-weight participants. While causation cannot be proven because of study design, it is possible that using a better transfer technique and optimizing body weight could reduce the incidence of shoulder pathology and pain.
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