SCI Publications

Conceptions of masculinity were investigated for their potential relations to both help-seeking and health outcomes among men who experienced traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries. Results indicated that 9 of 17 masculinity-related indicators correlated negatively with attitudes toward psychological help-seeking. Regarding outcomes, desire for status and success correlated positively ...

Background. Manual wheelchair users rely heavily on their upper limbs for independent mobility which likely leads to a high prevalence of shoulder pain and injury. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between shoulder forces and moments experienced during wheelchair propulsion and shoulder pathology. Methods. Kinetic ...

Study assessed the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) using a pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchair (PAPAW) compared to a traditional manual wheelchair among subjects with tetraplegia. Participants propelled both their own manual wheelchairs and a PAPAW 3 times over an ADL course. Primary variables that were compared between ...

Study examined the relationship between shoulder strength and pushrim biomechanical variables in manual wheelchair users. Peak isokinetic shoulder strength variables (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation) were tested in 22 manual wheelchair users. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected as subjects propelled their own wheelchairs at ...

Article presents practical recommendations related to wheelchair setup and propulsion based on work completed at the University of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Veterans Administration for the Collaboration on Upper Limb Pain in SCI (CULP-SCI) study. Authors recommend that wheelchair users take long, smooth propulsive strokes that use as much ...

Article discusses the healing benefits of gardening. The horticultural program for people with spinal cord injury program at Craig Hospital in Englewood, California is described. A list of resources for additional information and adapted tools and equipment is included.

Article provides strategies and tools for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) to use to manage stress. It defines stress, describes its impact on the mind and body, and discusses ways to ease its effects.

Article describes the effects of cold-weather temperatures on the body temperatures of people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Generally, after SCI, body temperature had a tendency to take on the temperature of the environment. Author offers advice for how to keep warm.

Article discusses the use of manual therapy to treat musculoskeletal following spinal cord injury. Treatment includes specific exercises and movements to stretch joints and soft tissues, as opposed to exercises that build strength. Tips are offered for finding a therapist certified to administer manual therapy. ...

Article describes changes to the spinal cord following spinal cord injury (SCI). These changes usually involve scarring of the cord, referred to as tethering, or the development of a fluid-filled space, or cyst, above or below the level of the original injury. Signs and symptoms and treatment for spinal-cord ...

Study describes the outcomes of individuals with high tetraplegia who were 14 to 24 years postinjury and were interviewed at 3 time periods after injury. The outcome measures examined included demographics, characteristics of personal assistance care, psychosocial variables, and time utilization. Results indicated that participants appeared to be functioning ...

Article provides an overview of ongoing research efforts to develop virtual reality applications and devices for mobility skills assessment and training, exercise training, and environment assessment. Virtual reality offers wheelchair users a tool for training in different environments without any indoor or outdoor physical constraints. This research is conducted ...

Literature review examines how quality of life (QOL) is defined and measured for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Three different conceptualizations of QOL are reviewed: (1) QOL as subjective well-being, (2) QOL as achievement, and (3) QOL as utility. Most of the commonly used QOL instruments can be ...

Article reviews research on neurological and functional recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI). Discussion focuses on the strategy for executing clinical trials and evaluating new interventions. Understanding the clinical course of recovery, recognizing accurate examination skills, and appropriately using outcome measures are some of the tools SCI rehabilitation clinicians ...