Quantification of reaction forces during sitting pivot transfers performed by individuals with spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVES To quantify the reaction forces exerted under the hands, feet and buttocks when individuals with spinal cord injury performed sitting pivot transfers. DESIGN Twelve men with paraplegia completed 3 transfers between seats of the same height (0.5 m high) and 3 transfers to a high target seat (0.6 m high). RESULTS Greater mean and peak vertical reaction forces were always recorded under the hands compared with the feet (p<0.001) during the transfers. Mean vertical reaction forces were similar between the leading and trailing hands (p>0.088) for the 2 transfers studied. However, the mean vertical reaction force underneath the leading hand was greater when transferring between a seat of the same height compared with one of a higher height (p=0.021) and vice-versa for the trailing hand (p=0.0001). The peak vertical reaction force always occurred earlier (p<0.0001) and was greater underneath the trailing hand compared with the leading one (p<0.02), and reached its highest value when transferring to the high target seat (p=0.003). Peak and mean horizontal reaction forces were always higher underneath the trailing hand compared with the leading hand (p<0.001). CONCLUSION These results provide evidence-based data to better understand transfers and strengthen clinical practice guidelines targeting the preservation of upper extremity integrity.