The effect of exercise training for refugee wheelchair users

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect on head and shoulder posture, pain, neck disability, functional capacity, fatigue, and quality of life of exercise training applied to the upper extremity, scapular, and trunk muscles of refugees using a wheelchair because of spinal cord injury sustained in the Syrian War. Methods: The study included 24 refugees aged 20-35 years who were using a wheelchair. The subject were randomly separated into 2 groups as the control group (n:12), who recieved upper extremity strengthening exercises only, and the study group (n:12), who recieved additional scapular and trunk strengthening exercises. The exercise program was implemented 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Head and shoulder posture angular values were measured with a goniometer. Evaluations were made usingthe Wheelchair User’s Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Fatique Severity Scale (FSS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life short form (WHO-QoL-Bref). Results: Before treatment, the measurements of the groups were homogenous (p>0.05). In the post-treatment evaluations, the shoulder pain, neck disability, and fatigue severity values were significantly lower, and the functional independence and quality of life scores showed a significant improvement in the study group after the training (p< 0.05). Conclusion: The study results demonstrated that the addition of scapular and trunk strengthening exercise to upper extremity exercises in the rehabilitation of wheelchair users is more effective in improving head and shoulder posture, neck disability, fatigue severity, functional independence, and quality of life. © 2020 International Journal of Disabilities Sports and Health Sciences. All rights reserved.