Document Type : Original Articles
Authors
1 Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
2 Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Abstract
Background and purpose: Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes a decline in core region function and shoulder pain in wheelchair users. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of modified dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) exercises on core region function and shoulder pain in patients with incomplete paraplegic SCI.
Materials and Methods: Ten male SCI patients were purposefully selected based on inclusion criteria and participated in this experimental study. Before the exercise period, variables of core region function and shoulder pain were measured by modified plank test, an abdominal pressure cuff device, and the Wheelchair Users' Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI) questionnaire, respectively. Participants underwent an eight-week non-exercise period, followed by an intermediate test, and after that, they performed eight weeks of modified DNS exercises. Measurements were repeated at the end of the second eight-week period. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 26 and inferential statistics analysis of variance for repeated measures (P≤0.05).
Results and Conclusion: The results showed significant improvement in the core function, transverse abdominal muscle strength, and shoulder pain (WUSPI) after the exercise period compared to the non-exercise period (P≤0.05). Based on this study, this exercise method can be recommended as a complementary and low-cost method in the physical rehabilitation process of these patients.
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