Do ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury walk symmetrically?
METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the levels of walking symmetry in ambulatory participants with spinal cord injury (SCI), and compare levels of walking symmetry among those with different degrees of lesion severity and those who walked with various types of walking devices.


METHODS
A tertiary rehabilitation center and many communities in Thailand.


METHODS
Forty-six participants were assessed for their demographics, SCI characteristics and types of walking device used. Then they were recorded for the ability of walking over a 10-m walkway using a digital camera. The levels of walking symmetry were analyzed using a method of manual digitization and reported in terms of percents of step length ratio.


RESULTS
Although the participants had bilateral sensorimotor impairments, they showed some degrees of walking asymmetry (~90%), particularly those with American Spinal Injury Association C (AIS C) (85%) and those who walked with a standard walker (78%). Their levels of walking symmetry also significantly differed from those with AIS D (92%; P<0.05) and those who walked without a walking device (95%; P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Walking symmetry has been reported as an important variable for the ability of well-controlled walking. Therefore, apart from levels of independent walking, rehabilitation professionals need to emphasize improvements in walking symmetry among these individuals.
School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.|Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life (IPQ) Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
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Kumprou
Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life (IPQ) Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.|Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
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Amatachaya
Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life (IPQ) Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.|Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
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Sooknuan
School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.|Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life (IPQ) Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
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Thaweewannakij
School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.|Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life (IPQ) Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
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L
Mato
School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.|Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life (IPQ) Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
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Amatachaya
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D016138:Walking / Q000639:trends