SCI Publications

Study compares the rehabilitation outcomes of patients with spinal stenosis-induced spinal cord injury (SCI) to those with traumatic SCI. Main outcome measures included rehabilitation hospital length of stay (LOS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores, rehabilitation charges, and discharge disposition rates. Patients with tetraplegic spinal stenosis SCI had significantly shorter ...

Study compared the effects of circuit resistance training (CRT) on a multistation isointertial exercise system (MultiGym) or on a customized system of resistance bands (ElasticGym) by persons with paraplegia. No significant effects of test condition were observed on acute metabolic response or heart rate. Average rating of perceived exertion ...

Study investigated to determine which cervical positions during normal range of motion might place the neural tissues of the spine at increased risk of injury. The authors instrumented 17 human cadaver spines with specially designed intervertebral foramen occlusion transducers and a spinal canal occlusion transducer. The specimens were loaded ...

Two studies examine the influence of race on acute, rehabilitation, and long-term care outcomes after spinal cord injury (SCI). Whites and nonwhites were matched case-for-case on numerous demographic, medical, and geographic characteristics. Study 1 examined medical complication, functional, and economic outcomes during acute and rehabilitation care. Study 2 examined outcomes ...

Study identifies demographic, medical, perceived health, and handicap predictors of life satisfaction 2 years after spinal cord injury, as well as the predictors of change in life satisfaction from year 1 to year 2. Factors associated with an increased risk of lower self-reported life satisfaction included being male and unemployed, ...

Study examines factors related to quality of life, life satisfaction, and spirituality in cancer patients compared to patients with a traditional rehabilitation diagnosis (spinal cord injury, amputations, and polio). Group differences were found across life satisfaction, spiritual well-being, and the quality of life measures used in the study. In ...

Introductory article provides an overview of a special series on the Model Spinal Cord Injury System (MSCIS) and presents a brief history of the program. The MSCIS maintains a national database, participates in independent and collaborative research, and provides continuing education relating to SCI. MSCIS is funded by grants ...

Article summarizes information presented at a conference convened to discuss the state of the science of measuring quality of life (QOL) in rehabilitation medicine. The 5 topic areas discussed included: (1) general versus target measurement, (2) QOL in policy development, (3) measuring QOL from the patient's perspective, (4) cultural ...

Two groups of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and chronic pain were surveyed regarding the frequency of use of different pain treatments and the perceived helpfulness of these treatments. The most commonly reported treatments were oral medications and physical therapy. Medication types included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, and ...

Study identifies predictors of personal care assistance (PCA) use among people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Data regarding potential predictors of PCA use and outcome measures of daily hours of paid, unpaid, and occasional PCA services were taken from the National Spinal Cord Injury Database. The ability to perform ...

Article reviews research regarding demographics, occupational characteristics, workplace accommodations, quality of life, physical functioning, and other variables that affect return to work for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Demographic variables that affect return to work include age at injury onset, chronological age, gender, education, ethnicity, marital status, and ...

Article describes the case of a 56-year-old man with acute onset motor-complete tetraplegia caused by cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The subject developed tetraplegia during a 1-hour nap, with no volitional control of his upper or lower limbs, impaired sensation below the clavicles, and increased muscle tone. Magnetic resonance imaging of ...

Study investigate how mothers with spinal cord injury (SCI) adjust to parenting, their marriages, and their families, and how their children adjust to their mothers' disability. The experimental group consisted of 88 mothers with SCI, 46 of their partners, and 31 of their children. The control group was composed of ...

Editorial briefly discusses research concerning quality of life (QOL) for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Author specifically addresses a study that explored the relationships between objective and subjective indicators of QOL. He emphasizes that future research should focus on outcome measures that consider the needs of the individual. ...