Measurement of sitting stability in selected subjects with spinal cord injury

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to measure the differences of sitting balance among certain patients with different levels of spinal cord injury [SCI]. Forty subjects with spinal cord injuries were divided into two groups based on injury level. Group one consisted of 20 subjects with T1-4 paraplegia and group two consisted of 20 subjects with T10-12 paraplegia. Subjects were seated on similar mat table with backboard set at 80 degrees for support. Each subject was asked to reach forward as maximum as possible without loosing balance. There was a difference in reach distance between group one and group two. Test-retest reliability was high with modification of the functional reach test [FRT] with a single rater. The modified FRT appears to provide reliable measurements of sitting balance in non- standing persons with SCI