Assistive devices for balance and mobility: Benefits, demands, and adverse consequences

Bateni, Hamid; Maki, Brian E.

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2004.04.023

Cited by 575 publications

(456 citation statements)

References 81 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

391

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…6 However, walking with a walking device needs considerable attention, neuromotor, musculoskeletal, physiologic and metabolic demands that affect walking speed and long-term ability. 4,6 The 10MWT, TUGT and FTSST quantify different aspects of functional abilities relating to the requirement of walking devices. Thus they could clearly distinguish between subjects who walk with and without a walking device ( Table 3).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…11 The FTSST is a sensitive and responsive tool to assess proximal muscle strength of the lower extremities, sensorimotor integration and balance control, which are vital for the capability to wean off a walking device. 4,6,8,[12][13][14] These tests are also reliable and significantly correlated with walking categories (Table 2). Higher levels of correlation of the 10MWT and TUGT may be that these tests incorporate more complex tasks relating to walking than the FTSST.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3,4 Clinically, walking devices are commonly prescribed to compensate for the reduction of walking ability, balance control and lower extremity muscle strength (LEMS) in order to promote a level of independence for the patients. [4][5][6] However, long lasting use of a walking device poses negative impacts on the patients such as induced abnormal posture and musculoskeletal pain, required high attention demand and energy expenditure, and increased risk of fall. 7,8 Mahoney et al 9 also reported that the use of a walking device was associated with an increased risk of functional decline in the elderly.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Reliability and validity of three functional tests in ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Study design: A cross-sectional study. Objectives: To investigate reliability, discriminative ability and concurrent validity of three functional tests (including the 10-meter walk test (10MWT), timed up and go test (TUGT) and five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST)) using the Functional Independence Measure Locomotor (FIM-L) scores as a standard criterion. Setting: A tertiary rehabilitation center, Thailand. Methods: Subjects were 66 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), who were able to walk at least 50 m unassisted with or without a walking device (FIM-L scores 6-7). They were tested for functional ability using the 10MWT, TUGT and FTSST. Sixteen subjects also assessed the ability using three assessors to evaluate the inter-tester reliability of the tools. Results:The three functional tests demonstrated excellent inter-tester reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (3,3) ¼ 0.997-1.00) and could clearly distinguish between subjects who walked with and without a walking device. In addition, the tests showed significant correlation with walking categories or FIM-L scores (r pb ¼ 0.778, À0.692 and À0.595 for the 10MWT, TUGT and FTSST, respectively, Po0.001). Conclusion:The findings support reliability and validity of the 10MWT, TUGT and FTSST to assess levels of independences in ambulatory subjects with SCI.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Reliability and validity of three functional tests in ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, longlasting use of a walker poses negative impacts on the patients, such as induced abnormal posture and musculoskeletal pain, requiring highattention demand and energy expenditure, and increased risk of fall due to limited forward and lateral movements of the legs. 24,25 Thus, the findings may imply that, apart from levels of functioning (ability of independent walking), rehabilitation professionals may need to explore treatment strategies to improve safety issues for patients. For example, instead of training in an empty room without disturbing factors, physical therapists may need to incorporate contextual conditions that the patients may encounter at home and community in order to optimize their balance and subsequently minimize the risk of fall.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Falls in independent ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury: incidence, associated factors and levels of ability

2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Study Design: A 6-month retrospective study. Objectives: To investigate incidence and factors associated with falls in independent ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), and to compare levels of ability in those with and without a history of falls. Setting: A tertiary rehabilitation center and community hospitals. Methods:Seventy-seven independent ambulatory subjects with SCI were interviewed for fall data during 6 months before participation in the study. Subjects were also assessed for their functional ability using the timed up and go test (TUGT) and the 6-min walk test (6MinWT). Results: Twenty-six subjects (34%) reported falls during 6 months (range 1-6 times). After falls, two subjects required medical attention due to wrist joint fracture and back pain. Walking without a walking device significantly increased the risk of fall, whereas using a walker significantly reduced the risk of fall (Po0.05). Moreover, faller subjects showed significantly better levels of ability than the non-faller subjects (Po0.005 for the TUGT and Po0.05 for the 6MinWT).Conclusion: Approximately one-third of the independent ambulatory subjects with SCI experienced falls. Notably, faller subjects had better functional ability than the non-faller subjects. Thus, apart from emphasizing the ability to walk independently, rehabilitation professionals may need to seek strategies that improve balance and safety.

show abstract

“…The use of a walker, crutches or a cane expands the base of support when standing. 19 The center of gravity and the center of pressure are more easily kept within the base during gait, turning and stopping tasks, thereby improving the stability of the person with balance impairment. The BBS seems a promising tool to help determine the most appropriate assistive device for a person.…”

Section: Assessment Of Standing Balance For Sci J-f Lemay and S Nadeaumentioning

confidence: 99%

Standing balance assessment in ASIA D paraplegic and tetraplegic participants: concurrent validity of the Berg Balance Scale

2009

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Study designs: Longitudinal and correlational study with repeated measures. Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the concurrent validity of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for a spinal cord injury (SCI) population. Participants: A total of 32 individuals with an ASIA D SCI walking 10 m independently, with or without walking assistive devices. Setting: An intensive rehabilitation center in Montréal, Canada. Methods: Subjects were evaluated on the BBS, the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI II), the Spinal Cord Injury Functional Ambulation Inventory (SCI-FAI), the 10-m walk test (10MWT) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG). Individuals were reassessed during rehabilitation when progressing to a device providing less support or to unassisted gait. Results: All walking tests were highly correlated with the BBS (0.714oRso0.816, Pp0.01). A significant ceiling effect was found on the BBS, the WISCI and on most subsections of the SCI-FAI. Assistive devices used for walking relate well to the BBS score (Spearman's r 0.714, Po0.01). Conclusion: The BBS is an appropriate assessment of standing balance for individuals with SCI. Complementary evaluation with the 10MWT or the 2MWT is recommended to supplement the ceiling effect on the BBS.

show abstract

Assistive devices for balance and mobility: Benefits, demands, and adverse consequences

Cited by 575 publications

References 81 publications

Reliability and validity of three functional tests in ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury

Reliability and validity of three functional tests in ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury

Falls in independent ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury: incidence, associated factors and levels of ability

Standing balance assessment in ASIA D paraplegic and tetraplegic participants: concurrent validity of the Berg Balance Scale

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About