Frequency of neck disability among manual wheelchair users having injury of spinal cord: Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To determine frequency of neck disability among spinal cord injured patients prone to used manual wheelchairs

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in which a sample of 65 patients was selected by using WHO sample size calculator as a non-probability convenience sampling technique. The study included traumatic spinal cord injury patients with paraplegic who used manual wheelchair for 3 month to 1 year with individual age of 25-50 years that included both male and female gender. Development of systemic or degenerative diseases, neck pain due to whiplash injury and medical red flags were excluded from the study. Data was collected using Neck Disability Index (NDI). Data analysis was done by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26.

Results: Out of 65 patients, 66.7% (n=44) were males and 31.8% (n=21) were females. The mean age of study subjects was 37.00±9.394 years. The Total Score of Neck Disability Index showed with mean 24.78 years and standard deviation 8.58 years. Hence the percentage of neck disability demonstrated in 65 patients was 3.0% (n=2) with no disability, 9.1% (n=6) mild disability, 30.3% (n=20) moderate disability, 42.4% (n=28) severe disability, 13.6% (n=9) complete disability. Out of 65 patients 42.4% (n=28) were with severe disability.

Conclusion: The study concluded severe neck disability among manual wheelchair users with traumatic spinal cord injury. As duration of wheelchair usage increases, the neck disability also increases.

Key Words: Disability, Manual Wheelchair, Neck, Spinal cord injury