Study design: Three-dimensional kinematic analysis of car transfer (CT) movement in four adult males with C6 tetraplegia. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the normal transfer technique movement from a wheelchair to a car (that is, CT) in subjects with tetraplegia. A better understanding of CT movement is invaluable knowledge for spinal cord injury rehabilitation. This type of knowledge will improve rehabilitation programs so that patients with tetraplegia will have greater societal participation. Setting: School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka, Japan. Methods: Four adult males with C6 tetraplegia, an impairment grade of A according to the American Spinal Injury Association guidelines, took part in the study. The subjects used their own wheelchair and car in our assessments of their CT movement technique. Movements were assessed using a three-dimensional video analysis system with six digital video cameras. CT data, which included lateral displacement of the head and buttocks, and angular displacement of neck flexion and trunk forward inclination, were collected and correlation coefficients were calculated.Results: All four subjects demonstrated negative correlations in lateral displacements greater than 0.70. As for correlation coefficients of angular displacement, two subjects demonstrated negative correlations (r¼À0.98 and r¼À0.77) and one subject demonstrated a positive correlation (r¼0.75). The neck flexion and trunk forward inclination strategy was different among the four subjects. Conclusions: Each subject with C6 tetraplegia demonstrated different strategies during CT movement.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the duration of the car transfer (CT) movement and trunk inclination and hip angles during this movement in individuals with tetraplegia. [Subjects and Methods] Eleven adult males with C6 tetraplegia participated in this study. The CT movement was recorded from the passenger side of the car using a digital video camera. From the video, the duration and trunk inclination and hip joint angle were recorded, and correlation coefficients were calculated. [Results] No correlation was found between the trunk inclination angle and the duration of the CT movement. However, a significant correlation was found between the hip angle and the duration of the CT movement: when the duration was short, the hip flexion angle was substantial. [Conclusion] The trunk inclination angle probably showed no effect on the duration of the CT movement because the movement was performed in a limited space and because the trunk muscles of the subjects were paralyzed. In contrast, C6 tetraplegia enabled smooth CT by allowing for control of trunk inclination, such as placing the lower extremities in the car, whereby the pelvis backward tilt angle increased.