Research Information System
Pain Clinic, vol.19, no.2, pp.71-76, 2007 (SCI-Expanded)
Background and Objective: Wheelchair users are exposed to many stresses on their upper extremities. The appearance of shoulder pain related to these stresses could affect their functional capacity and quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the shoulder pain and compare the shoulder pain, functional capacity and quality of life between wheelchair basketball players and non-athlete wheelchair users. Methods: Twenty-five wheelchair basketball players (athletes) from professional leagues and 23 non-athlete wheelchair users were included in this study. The subjects' shoulder pain was assessed with the Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index. Timed Forward Wheeling, Forward Vertical Reach and 1-Stroke Push tests were used to measure functional capacity, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale was used to evaluate their quality of life. Results: No differences were found in Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index and Satisfaction with Life Scale score between the athletes and non-athletes (P > 0.05). The scores of functional capacity, height in forward vertical reach test, 1-stroke push distance, and timed forward wheeling were better in the athlete versus the non-athlete group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Although significantly higher functional capacity is seen in athlete versus non-athlete wheelchair users, their shoulder pain and quality of life may be similar. © 2007 W.S. Maney & Son Ltd.