Childhood-onset wheelchair users report less shoulder pain than adult-onset users

Main Category: Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
Article Date: 17 Sep 2005 - 14:00 PDT

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This study examines whether the prevalence of shoulder pain in adult wheelchair users who began using their wheelchairs during childhood is similar to those who began using their wheelchairs as adults.

Investigators compared reports of shoulder and overall pain and physical activity levels in 31 childhood-onset and 22 adult-onset wheelchairs users.

Shoulder pain was greater in adult-onset wheelchair users than compared with child-onset wheelchair users even though lifestyles were similar.

Investigators suggest that a possible reason may be that the immature skeleton may respond to the repetitive forces of wheeling better than those who began using a wheelchair after their skeletal structure was developed.

About the Journal

JRRD has been a leading research journal in the field of rehabilitation medicine and technology for over 40 years. JRRD, a peer-reviewed, scientifically indexed journal, publishes original research papers, review articles, as well as clinical and technical commentary from U.S. and international researchers on all rehabilitation research disciplines. JRRD's mission is to responsibly evaluate and disseminate scientific research findings impacting the rehabilitative healthcare community. For more information about JRRD, visit http://www.vard.org .

The current issue of the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development (JRRD) is dedicated to spinal cord injury and wheelchair technology. Full-text articles are available, free, online at http://www.vard.org.

Judith LaVoie
judith@vard.org
410-962-1800 x 229
VA Research Communications Service
http://www.vard.org

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