Measurement of the Hand Control Operating Force in Cervical Cord Injured Drivers

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To provide proper standards of handicapped driver's ability test in Korea and evolve new driving aids. METHOD: Thirty-six cervical cord injured persons (C5-C7) were evaluated with Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment work simulator to which a straight handle was attached. The isotonic torque on a straight handle was measured during forward and backward movement and isometric torque was measured at neutral position. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare torque among three groups (C5-C7). RESULTS: The forward and backward torque of C7 tetraplegics was significantly higher than that of C6 tetraplegics (p<0.05). All of 12 persons with C5 tetraplegia could not pass the test. Only 1 out of 12 persons with C6 tetraplegia and all of 12 persons with C7 tetraplegia could pass the test. But 9 out of 12 persons with C5 tetraplegia and all of 12 persons with C6 tetraplegia could operate brake and accelerator with servo-hand control. CONCLUSION: All of the C5 tetraplegics and 92% of the C6 tetraplegics could not pass the handicapped driver's ability test of Korea. Therefore it is necessary to evolve driving aids for the C5 and C6 tetrapleigics and to modify this test.