Three-dimensional measurement of rolling in tetraplegic patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the differences between traumatic tetraplegic patients who can roll and those who cannot.


METHODS
Motion analysis using 3-dimensional measurement.


METHODS
Rehabilitation centers in southwestern Japan.


METHODS
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 significantly lower than that of patients who could roll. (The average rotation of non-rollers was 31.5+/-17.5 degrees, while the average rotation of rollers was 66.3+/-17.3degrees). In this study, there were no statistically significant differences in the members of the two groups in terms of age, height, weight or time after injury.


CONCLUSIONS
Rolling requires greater and adequate flexibility in the back of tetraplegic patients.
Tanaka
S
S
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.
Yoshimura
O
O
Kobayashi
R
R
Minematsu
A
A
Sasaki
H
H
Maejima
H
H
Kanemura
N
N
Shirahama
K
K
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012399:Rotation; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications; D013131:Spine / Q000503:physiopathology