Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2017;23(8):955-958

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2017.08.018

Effects of Aquatic Taiji Quan on Balance Function of Patients with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Long JIN ; Fang CONG ; Guiyun SONG ; Fengshan SI ; Bin YAO ; Wei JIA ; Yao CUI

Keywords

incomplete spinal cord injury; Taiji Quan; aquatic exercise; balance function

Country

China

Language

Chinese

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of aquatic Taiji Quan on balance function of patients with incomplete spinal cord injury. Methods From March to December, 2015, 30 patients with incomplete spinal cord injury received aquatic Taiji Quan exercise based on rou-tine rehabilitation, 30 minutes every day, five times a week for five weeks. They were assessed with Berg Balance Scale (BBS) before and after exercise. Dynamic balance function and static balance function were also assessed with Active Balancer assessment. Results The BBS score significantly improved after exercise (t=-9.652, P<0.001). The track length and area of gravity movement with eyes open and closed decreased (t>3.528, Z>-2.590, P<0.01). No improvement was observed in the deflection center displacement of X and Y axes (P>0.05). The dynamic stability limit range enlarged (t=-4.516, P<0.01), and the time to target significantly shortened (t=4.530, P<0.001). Conclusion Aquatic Taiji Quan can improve the balance function of patients with incomplete spinal cord injury.