Orthoses Utilization and Daily Functional Status in Patients with High Level Cervical Cord Injury

Authors

Yao-Ting Wu
Chin-Hung Tseng
Ming-Shun Wu
Chia-Li Chen
Chi-Ming Shih
Liu-Ing Bih

Translated Title

高位頸髓損傷患者輔具使用與日常生活功能調查

Abstract

Patients with high-level cervical cord injuries are dependent in most activities of daily living (ADL) because they possess very little residual motor function. The utilization of appropriate assistive devices could enhance their independence and improve their quality of life.A prospective study was conducted with 11 male tetraplegic patients between 22 to 51 years of age (mean, 32.0±10.0 years), living in central Taiwan, with C4 or C5 cord injuries; the duration of their injuries ranged between 16 to 125 months (mean, 56.8±28.6 months). After a home visit and an individual interview, we found that these patients could perform 1 to 8 items of ADL (mean, 2.8±1.9). Patients with C4 injuries, could perform 1 to 3 items (mean, 2.0±0.6); however, patients with C5 injuries could perform 1 to 8 items (average, 3.8±2.6). The more commonly accomplished ADL were computer access, reading, controlling the television, and using the telephone. Assistive devices were divided into 6 categories: mobility, computer access, ADL, transfer, environmental control systems, and architectural modifications. Patients with C4 injuries used 5 to 15 types of assistive devices (mean, 8.8±3.4); patients with C5 injuries used 4 to 10 types of assistive devices (mean, 7.4±2.7). Assistive devices for mobility were the most commonly used device, with all patients reporting using 1 or 2 devices. Computer access devices and architectural modifications were very popular too, with 10 of the 11 patients reporting their use. None of the patients used an environ- mental control system. Chin- or oral-controlled electronic wheelchairs, environmental control systems, and page turners are not commonly used by tetraplegic patients in Taiwan, due primarily to high cost and the unavailability of domestic products. There is huge gap to close in the delivery of high-technology assistive devices before we can effectively improve the quality of life of tetraplegic patients.

Language

Traditional Chinese

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.6315/2004.32(1)03

First Page

19

Last Page

24

Recommended Citation

Wu, Yao-Ting; Tseng, Chin-Hung; Wu, Ming-Shun; Chen, Chia-Li; Shih, Chi-Ming; and Bih, Liu-Ing (2004) "Orthoses Utilization and Daily Functional Status in Patients with High Level Cervical Cord Injury," Rehabilitation Practice and Science: Vol. 32: Iss. 1, Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6315/2004.32(1)03
Available at: https://rps.researchcommons.org/journal/vol32/iss1/3