Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immediate effects of transfer training based on the
Transfer Assessment Instrument (TAI) on the upper limb biomechanics during
transfers. DESIGN: Pre-post intervention. SETTING: Biomechanics laboratory.
PARTICIPANTS: Full-time manual wheelchair users (N=24) performed 5 transfers to a
level height bench, while their natural transfer skills were scored using the
TAI, and their biomechanical data were recorded. INTERVENTION: Participants with
2 or more component skill deficits were invited to return to receive personalized
transfer training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: TAI part 1 summary scores and
biomechanical variables calculated at the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints were
compared before and immediately after transfer training. RESULTS: Sixteen of the
24 manual wheelchair users met the criteria for training, and 11 manual
wheelchair users came back for the revisit. Their TAI part 1 summary scores
improved from 6.31+/-.98 to 9.92+/-.25. They had significantly smaller elbow
range of motion, shoulder resultant moment, and rates of rise of elbow and wrist
resultant forces on their trailing side during transfers after training (P<.05).
On the leading side, shoulder maximum internal rotation and elevation angles, and
shoulder resultant moments and rates of rise of shoulder resultant force and
moment decreased after training (P<.04). CONCLUSIONS: The TAI-based training
showed short-term beneficial biomechanical effects on wheelchair users' upper
limbs, such as better shoulder positioning and lower joint loadings. If the
skills are practiced longer-term, they may help protect the upper limbs from
developing pain and injuries.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS