Relation between Motorcycle Helmet Use and Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

A case-control study was conducted to determine the relationship between motorcycle helmets, including type (i.e. partial or full coverage) and fastening status (i.e. loose or firm), and cervical spinal cord injuries (SCIs) in Taiwan. Based on a nationwide registry consisting of 396 motorcycle riders with traumatic SCIs during the 4-year period from July 1992 to June 1996, 229 subjects injured at cervical levels were defined as cases and 167 injured at other spinal levels as controls. Furthermore, additional information on the type and fastening status of the helmet was collected by telephone interview, and 147 subjects, including 79 with cervical and 68 with noncervical lesions, responded. Results of the logistic regression model show that neither different helmet types nor fastening status increased the occurrence of cervical SCIs when motorcycle riders were involved in severe crashes.

Fatal injuries among motorcyclists in Klang Valley, Malaysia

“…14 The unknown status is a common finding in real life situation involving motorcycle-related injuries and this had been reported by various authors. 14e17 'Unable to remember event' or 'no answer could be obtained' did not happen randomly and omitting it will produce a biased result.…”

“…14e17 'Unable to remember event' or 'no answer could be obtained' did not happen randomly and omitting it will produce a biased result. 14 …”

Improving Safety for Motorcycle, Scooter and Moped Riders

“…It is clear that an integral helmet with a fixed jaw guard considerably reduces the risk of chin and facial injury. Studies carried out in Taiwan and Australia found no difference between the integral and the jet helmet in causing spinal cord injuries (Lin et al, 2004;O Connor, 2005).…”

The Impact of Mandatory Helmet Law on the Outcome of Maxillo Facial Trauma: A Comparative Study in Kerala

“…There are many misconceptions among the public regarding helmet usage that it increases associated injuries to other parts of the body. Various studies prove that there was no association between helmet use and the occurrence of neck or cervical spine injuries [30,31]. Yates and Dickenson illustrate the potential for further development in helmet design and safety to reduce the incidence of significant facial injuries including soft tissue damage and facial fractures in motorcyclists involved in low speed accidents [32].…”