Outcomes following an adaptive rock climbing program in a person with an incomplete spinal cord injury: A case report. (1st December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: DelGrande, Brittany; LaCoppola, Carrin; Moriello, Gabriele; Sanicola, Kerrianne
• Is Part Of: Physiotherapy theory and practice. Volume 36:Number 12(2020)
• Page Start: 1466
• Page End: 1475
• Publication Date: 2020-12-01
• Subjects: Spinal cord injury -- rock climbing -- task-based training -- physical therapy -- quality of life; Physical therapy -- Periodicals; 615.82
• DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2019.1587799
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-3985

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Purpose: The purpose of this case report was to document outcomes following a rock climbing program for an individual with an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Case Description: The participant was a 61 year-old male who sustained a C6 cervical AIS D SCI. Initially, he was only able to climb 30% of the rock wall with assistance and was unable to climb unassisted. Intervention: Outcome measures included muscle strength, arm girth, the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), distance climbed, climbing performance, and the Quality of Life Profile for Adults with Physical Disabilities. The intervention included two 90-min sessions per week for 19 weeks. One session comprised traditional physical therapy and the second took place at an indoor rock climbing gym. Outcomes: Following the intervention, he was able to climb 100% of the wall with assistance and 48% unassisted. He made improvements in all categories of the quality of life scale, while changes in muscle strength and arm girth varied. No improvements were noted in balance. Conclusions: A task-based physical therapy program focusing on strengthening and rock climbing-specific activities improved the rock climbing ability of an individual with an incomplete cervical SCI.