SCI Publications

Study identified environmental factors perceived as barriers in the daily lives of people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and examined the relative impact of environmental barriers compared with personal characteristics, impairment, and activity limitations on societal participation and life satisfaction. In a survey of more than 2,700 people with ...

Article describes the development and testing of questionnaire designed to assess environmental barriers encountered by people with and without disabilities. Disability experts developed items for the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF) to measure the frequency and magnitude of environmental barriers reported by individuals. Factor analysis yielded 5 ...

Study examined the effects of 4 of the most commonly prescribed seat cushions on the transmission of whole-body vibrations during manual wheelchair propulsion. Participants were asked to propel their wheelchair over a simulated activities-of-daily-living obstacle course while acceleration and force data were recorded. The course included small, medium, and ...

Article focuses on the epidemiology of aging, the economics of aging, informal and formal social support systems, ageism and societal issues, and care and treatment settings. This article is part of the study guide on geriatric rehabilitation in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education program for practitioners and trainees in physical ...

Article describes study conducted to determine whether a new assistive device would allow individuals with tetraplegia, who were previously unable to perform self-catheterization, to perform CIC. With the aid of the device, all 9 participants were able to perform all aspects of CIC independently within 5 minutes on their ...

Article discusses issues concerning advance directives for patients with neuromuscular weakness. Advance directives contain guidelines for withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment for terminal conditions. Author discusses the need for proper patient counseling regarding the availability of noninvasive respiratory muscle aids, life satisfaction versus quality of life, and utilization of ...

Study compared healthcare professionals' assessment of the quality of life of children with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 to that of the children's caregivers. Generally, caregivers reported a significantly more positive assessment of QOL than did the clinicians.

National survey examined the patterns and predictors of access to a variety of specific health care services among adults with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, or arthritis. Participants in managed care and traditional fee-for-service health plans answered questions concerning their need for and access to services from ...

Chapter examines issues regarding the diagnosis, etiology, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal pain and overuse injuries in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The relationship between pain and injuries of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, back and neck are discussed in detail. Options for treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries ...

Questionnaires and physical exams were used to evaluate neck pain in a group of wheelchair users. Main outcome measures included reported neck pain, visual analog scale of neck complaints, the Neck Disability Index, and physical exam findings of trigger points. Of the 68 participants, 66.2 percent reported experiencing neck ...

Study examined the relationship between wheelchair pushrim biomechanics and progressive shoulder injury in manual wheelchair users. Biomechanical data were obtained on 14 subjects with spinal cord injury who used manual wheelchairs. Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of both shoulders were completed for each subject on 2 occasions, approximately 2 years ...

Study examined the preventive health behaviors of women with spinal cord injury (SCI) by comparing the frequency of mammograms or Pap smears between women with SCI and women in the general population, and among women with SCI as a function of racial/ethnic status and socioeconomic status (income and education ...

Study evaluated the effectiveness of a computer-assisted instruction program to improve the spinal cord injury knowledge base of fourth-year medical students. Effectiveness was determined based on pretest and posttest scores and overall user satisfaction assessments. Results indicated that mean posttest scores were significantly higher than mean pretest scores. Course ...

Article describes the bone-related metabolic changes that occur in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). It discusses potential mechanisms for the development of osteoporosis, and provides current recommendations for prevention and treatment of bone loss in acute SCI.

Article reviews research findings regarding the frequency of and risk factors for kidney and bladder stones in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Potential risk factors before and after the first year postinjury and possible environmental influences are discussed.

Article presents an overview of the wheelchair and seating biomechanics research program at the University of Pittsburgh. The program includes studies to prevent secondary conditions due to wheelchair and seating use, to reduce the incidence of accidental injuries, and to improve access to technologies that promote community participation. Projects ...

Study examined the use of the Independence 3000 IBOT Transporter, an electronically stabilizing, wheeled mobility device for people with disabilities. It operates in 4 functions: standard, balance, 4-wheel, and remote. Trained clinicians observed as participants used the IBOT to perform a series of activities, including holding eye-level discussion with ...

Chapter summarizes information on the various types of manual and power wheelchairs, hybrid wheelchairs, and robotic wheeled mobility systems. The importance of the wheelchair-user interface is discussed, including ride comfort and durability, proper selection of wheelchair accessories, and powered wheelchair access devices. Wheelchair and seating measurements and a variety ...

Study compared gait performance during a 5-minute walk among healthy subjects, people with spinal cord injury (SCI), and stroke survivors while investigating whether evaluating oxygen consumption during this test provides additional information about the subject's performance. Participants were fitted with a portable gas analyzer and walked on a 5-meter ...

Editorial on the importance of establishing authorship for paper submitted to journals for publication. The most widely acknowledged guidelines establish 3 criteria for authorship: (1) substantial contributions to conception and design, or acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; (2) drafting the article or revising it critically ...