SCI Publications

Chapter from a symposium on children with spinal cord injuries (SCI), focusing on empirical studies related to psychosocial factors in the rehabilitation of children with SCI.

Discusses a multicenter study conducted within the National Model Spinal Cord Injury System program examining neurological deficits and recovery patterns following spinal cord injury (SCI). Specifically examines recovery of patients with SCI and cervical spondylosis without spinal fracture. Details methodology including: the use of the American Spinal Injury Association ...

Examines the incidence and demographics of spinal cord injuries (SCI) among civilians caused by violence, drawing from data in the Model Spinal Cord Injury Systems Spinal Cord Injuries Data Base. Notes trends related to issues including: sex; race and ethnicity; age at time of injury; education level at time ...

Retrospective study examines data from 401 motor vehicle crashes (MVC) in Michigan (1985-1991) to determine whether alcohol-intoxicated MVC fatalities with central nervous system injuries (CNSI) were more likely to die in the immediate postinjury period than victims with CNSI who were sober. Medical examiner records were reviewed for age, ...

Study assessing the compliance rate and urological complication rate for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) using clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). Data were collected over 5.9 years from 89 individuals with SCI. Rates for specific types of complication were compared with rates found in previous studies. The authors conclude ...

Retrospective cohort study examines autopsy results from motor vehicle crash (MVC) victims from three rural and one nonrural county in order to test the hypothesis that the preventable death rate (PDR) is higher and anatomical injury severity is lower for rural compared to nonrural MVC fatalities. Using the Abbreviated ...

Study comparing the divorce rate among persons who got married after spinal cord injury (SCI) with that of the non-SCI population of comparable age and gender and exploring the factors associated with increased likelihood of divorce. Subjects were 622 persons enrolled in the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center data ...

Retrospective cohort study examines the accuracy of prehospital emergency care providers (PHECPs) in identifying motor vehicle crash victims who had positive serum alcohol concentrations. Data gathered included ambulance report forms and hospital records. Variables that were abstracted included the Revised Trauma Score (RTS), the PHECPs' impression of alcohol use, ...

Reports a study that evaluated the electromyographic (EMG) activity in a voluntary kinetic closed chain elbow extension of individuals with C6 motor level spinal cord injuries. Subjects were from a regional spinal cord injury center and had a C6 motor level on the right side. A total of six ...

Study compares motor level (MT) classification and neurological level (NL) classification as determinates of functional ability for tetraplegia. Explanation is provided on how both measures are used to correlate impairment with self care function. The Quadriplegia Index of Function (QIF) is used to measure clinically important changes in function. ...

Researchers, focusing on quality of life issues, offered continent urinary diversion using an umbilical stoma to three women with quadriplegia who required cystectomy for end-stage neurogenic vesical dysfunction complicated by urethra destruction following chronic indwelling catheterization. All three subjects were opposed to having an incontinent abdominal urinary stoma. All ...

Presents part of a chapter on rehabilitation in joint and connective tissue diseases in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Discusses ankylosing spondylitis and spinal stenosis, including differential features, diagnostic strategy, rehabilitation management, spinal complications of ankylosing spondylitis, and pathophysiology of ...

Describes a prospective multicenter study that involved nine centers participating in the National Model Spinal Cord Injury System program. The study investigated neurological deficit and recovery patterns following spinal cord injury (SCI) from stab wounds. Subjects were 32 individuals with SCI following stab wounds. Detailed motor examinations were completed ...

Discusses ethical issues in the management of persons with severe neuromuscular disorders. The authors suggest that, despite the many recent management advances for individuals with severe neuromuscular disease, quality of life cannot be assured by medical advances or technology. Furthermore, they contend that quality of life issues are often ...

Study evaluating life satisfaction and well being in 87 individuals with traumatic tetraplegia two years or more postinjury. Forty two ventilator assisted individuals with tetraplegia (VAITs) and 45 autonomously breathing individuals with tetraplegia (ABITs) completed standard psychosocial instruments. Major findings include the following: 1) the VAITs' life satisfaction and ...

Study examining longitudinal changes in nocturnal blood gas tensions in 10 individuals with complete C4 to C7 motor quadriplegia who were at least 6 months postinjury. The mean age was 41.2 years and mean time since injury was 7.7 years at the initial evaluation. Subjects were reevaluated 5 years ...