SCI Publications

Purpose. As motor vehicle accidents and violence cause the majority of spinal cord injuries (SCI) sustained in the USA and people with SCI will likely struggle with emotional issues related to the offender, the purpose of this exploratory study was to examine potential salutary effects of forgiveness among people ...

Background/Objective: Tilt and recline variable position seating systems are most commonly used for pressure relief to decrease potential for skin breakdown. This study provides quantitative information on the magnitudes of loading on the seat and back during phases of tilt, recline, and standing. The objective of this study was ...

The United States is undergoing a transformative shift in the demographic composition of adults. Indeed, there is an emergent and staggering rate of growth in the percentage of adults aged 65 years or older and this has been termed the Graying of America. The proportion of the population aged ...

Study design: This study used qualitative analysis of focus group discussions. Objective: The primary objective was to select functional activities to include in an item pool, which is the first step in developing a spinal cord injury computer adaptive test (SCI-CAT). Setting: This multisite study was conducted at six ...

The objective of this article was to identify the relationship between race-ethnicity and employment after spinal cord injury (SCI), while evaluating interrelationships with gender, injury severity, and education. The authors used a cohort design using the most current status from a post-injury interview from the National SCI Statistical Center. ...

Objective: To demonstrate the inter-/intrarater reliability of the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury version 2 scale and the repeatability of the time to walk 10 m in chronic subjects. Design: In this reliability study, 26 subjects from the United States and Italy with spinal cord injury/disorder were tested ...

Background: In individuals with motor incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), ambulatory function determined in the clinical setting is related to specific measures of body structure and function and activity limitations, although few studies have quantified the relationship of these variables with daily stepping (steps/day). Objective: The aim of this ...

Objective: To examine menopause transition characteristics and symptom bother in women with spinal cord injury (SCI). Design: Prospective cohort (4 data collection periods across 4 years). Setting: Community. Participants: Women (n 62) with SCI (injury levels C6–T12, nonambulatory, 36mo postinjury; 86.1% retention) and women without SCI (n 66; 92.9% retention) ...

The need to determine the beneficial effect of the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) requires clearly defined standardized measures of the severity of injury and how well the the function is restored. Improved neurological recovery should be linked to increased capacity to perform tasks such as walking, reaching ...

Background/Objective: To determine the effects of spasticity on anthropometrics, body composition (fat mass [FM] and fat-free mass [FFM]), and metabolic profile (energy expenditure, plasma glucose, insulin concentration, and lipid panel) in individuals with motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Ten individuals with chronic motor complete SCI (age, 33 ...

Study design: Correlation study. Objectives: To determine the effects of oral baclofen on body composition (fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM)), extra- and intracellular fluid compartments and glucose homeostasis (plasma glucose and plasma insulin concentrations) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) after controlling for spasticity. Settings: Laboratory settings at ...

Study examined differences in rehabilitation outcomes for older patients with a nontraumatic spinal cord injury (NT-SCI) for 5 etiologic diagnoses: degenerative spinal disease (DSD), malignant spinal tumor, benign spinal tumor, vascular ischemia, and spinal abscess. Data were obtained from a total of 1,780 Medicare beneficiaries (65 to 74 years ...

Encompassing all of the diseases and disorders that may affect the proper functioning of the spinal cord or spinal nerves, this comprehensive volume provides a state of the art review of the principles of care and best practices for restoring function and quality of life to patients with spinal ...

Study evaluated the efficacy of skin protection wheelchair seat cushions in preventing pressure ulcers in the elderly nursing home population. Participants were 232 nursing home residents, aged 65 and older, who used wheelchairs for 6 or more hours per day. All participants were provided with a fitted wheelchair and ...

Article provides an overview of conceptual and methodological issues affecting participation measurement and offer guidance to researchers wishing to incorporate participation measures in their work. Examples of the development and use of participation measures are presented to: (1) outline the types and characteristics of participation measures, (2) enumerate various ...

Article describes how patient feedback in medical rehabilitation can guide item bank development so that more sensitive outcome measures can be developed. The authors present a comprehensive method for approaching qualitative data and developing targeted item banks for computerized adaptive testing (CAT) applications that can be used for individuals ...

This consumer guide explains bladder management options for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The publication, which is the companion book to the clinical practice guideline, “Bladder Management for Adults with Spinal Cord Injury”, provides an overview of the urinary tract system, discusses common bladder issues and concerns, bladder-emptying ...

Article discusses a new video that explains how smoking makes it more difficult to prevent secondary medical complications for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). The video, "Smoking's Effects on Secondary Complications of Spinal Cord Injury", can be viewed and downloaded at no cost by visiting: www.spinalcord.uab.edu/smoking . The web ...