[Purpose] The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of a standard transfer
exercise program on the transfer quality and activities of daily living (ADL) in
wheelchair-dependent spinal cord injury patients. [Subjects and Methods] We randomly
divided 22 patients into 2 groups. During the intervention period, one group received
treatment with both conventional physical therapy and a standard sitting pivot transfer
exercise program (experimental group, n=12) and the other group was managed solely with
conventional physical therapy (control group, n=10). The standard transfer exercise
program comprised of an independent and a dependent program. Exercises were conducted 30
minutes daily, 3 times per week, over a period of 6 weeks. All subjects were tested using
a transfer assessment instrument (TAI) and spinal cord independence measure (SCIM) before
and after the intervention. [Results] Compared to the control group, the intervention
group scored higher on both the transfer assessment instrument (TAI Part 1, Part 2, TAI
total score) and spinal cord independence measure tests (SCIM mobility room and toilet
score; SCIM total score). [Conclusion] In conclusion, the standard transfer exercise
program is an effective tool which improves transfer quality and the ability of
wheelchair-dependent spinal cord injury patients to carry out their ADLs.
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