Ergotherapie bei querschnittlähmung

Abstract

Every year about 1,000 people in Germany become paraplegic, mainly because of accidents involving a fracture in the spinal column. The resulting level of paralysis is defined by the last intact spinal segment. For example, a diagnosis "paralysis below C6" means that the last intact spinal segment is C6. In this context, it is very interesting to look at the spectrum of independence of individuals with the diagnosis of quadriplegia. While those with lesions between C1 and C3 depend on continuous artificial respiration, can do computer activities only with electronic aids, and drive electric wheelchairs using mouth or chin control, individuals with lesions below C6 can achieve (with a strongly increased expenditure of time and energy) much more autonomy in everyday life in an adapted environment. For those with transverse lesions below C7 and C8, further increases in independence are possible because of finger extension and finger function with reduced fine motor skills. Therefore, persons with transverse lesions of the spinal cord represent a multifaceted and challenging area of work for occupational therapists. © 2008 Springer Medizin Verlag.