Three-dimensional measurement of rolling in tetraplegic patients

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the di erences between traumatic tetraplegic patients who can roll and those who cannot. Design: Motion analysis using 3-dimensional measurement. Setting: Rehabilitation centers in southwestern Japan. Participants: Nineteen male participants, all of whom had traumatic C6 complete injury. Methods: We used an electromagnetic device to examine the degree of spinal movement in axial rotation during rolling (shifting from supine to side lying). This system (3-Space Win) measures the position and orientation of sensors in space. Two sensors were mounted on a subject over the spinous process of T1 and L5. Results: The spinal rotation of patients who could not roll was signi®cantly lower than that of patients who could roll. (The average rotation of non-rollers was 31.5+17.58, while the average rotation of rollers was 66.3+17.38). In this study, there were no statistically signi®cant di erences in the members of the two groups in terms of age, height, weight or time after injury. Conclusion: Rolling requires greater and adequate¯exibility in the back of tetraplegic patients. Spinal Cord (2000) 38, 683 ± 686