Quick Reviews | Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC)

We provide quick review of Model Systems research studies funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). These reviews offer timely summaries of newly released model system research studies using lay language for easy access.

Impact of Imaging Findings on Neurological Outcomes

Impact of Imaging Findings on Neurological Outcomes

The aim of this study is to assess data from patients with acute cervical tSCI to measure whether different clinical and x-ray findings predict recovery time one year after injury.

Manual Wheelchair Skills and Quality of Life

Manual Wheelchair Skills and Quality of Life

This study investigates the relationship between manual wheelchair skills and quality of life and community integration.

Effects of Nicotine on Spinal Cord Injury Pain

Effects of Nicotine on Spinal Cord Injury Pain

This study explores the effect of nicotine on pain experienced after Spinal Cord Injury.

Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury

Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury and discussed any misuses of the scale.

Fall Related Injuries among Ambulatory Participants

Fall Related Injuries among Ambulatory Participants

This study assessed the relationship between the use of different walking devices, alcohol intake, exercise and prescription medication use and falls resulting in injuries (FRI).

Biomarker of Lower Extremity Bone Density

Biomarker of Lower Extremity Bone Density

This study investigated whether a biological molecule could serve as an indicator of lower extremity bone density.

Depression and Pain among Inpatients

Depression and Pain among Inpatients

This study analyzed the relationship between depression and severity of pain among patients with a recent spinal cord injury or disease.

Differences among Power Wheelchair Manufacturers

Differences among Power Wheelchair Manufacturers

This study seeks to identify differences between power wheelchair manufacturers in terms of the amount of reported repairs and adverse consequences experienced by individuals with a SCI.

Treatment of Pain and Spinal Cord Injury

Treatment of Pain and Spinal Cord Injury

This study investigated the effectiveness of a medication in treating nerve and musculoskeletal pain.

Functional Index Item Bank for Spinal Cord Injury

Functional Index Item Bank for Spinal Cord Injury

The purpose of this study was to develop a set of items to measure physical functioning in people with SCI.

SCI Transfer Assessment Instrument

SCI Transfer Assessment Instrument

Researchers refined the Transfer Assessment Tool to evaluate patients transfer skills.

Distinguishing Grief from Depression with SCI

Distinguishing Grief from Depression with SCI

This study aimed to understand the difference between grief and depression for people recovering from SCI.

Depression Treatment Preferences

Depression Treatment Preferences

This study aimed to understand which types of treatments for depression people with SCI prefer.

Development and initial Evaluation of the SCI-FI/AT

Development and initial Evaluation of the SCI-FI/AT

The goal of this study was to develop a measure to assess function in people with SCI who use assistive technology.

Current Pregnancy Among Women with SCI

Current Pregnancy Among Women with SCI

This study looked at the physical, social, and demographic characteristics of pregnant women with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Differential Impact and Use of a Telehealth Intervention

Differential Impact and Use of a Telehealth Intervention

Researchers investigated the benefits of an automated medical support phone system for people with SCI and MS.

Measuring Depression After Spinal Cord Injury

Measuring Depression After Spinal Cord Injury

The goal of this study was to provide an instrument specific to SCI-related depressive symptoms that could be used clinically and for research purposes.

Ultrasonographic Median Nerve Changes

Ultrasonographic Median Nerve Changes

This study examined the effect of wheelchair transfers and transfer technique on wheelchair users’ median nerve.

Tracking Functional Status across the SCI Lifespan

Tracking Functional Status across the SCI Lifespan

The goal of this study was to enable long-term tracking of data on functioning from childhood to adulthood.

SCI-QOL Ability to Participate and Satisfaction with Social Roles

SCI-QOL Ability to Participate and Satisfaction with Social Roles

This study described the development of a standardized tool to measure long term rehabilitation outcomes focused on satisfaction with social roles and activities.

Physical Activity Measures and Their Association with Depression and Satisfaction

Physical Activity Measures and Their Association with Depression and Satisfaction

This study looked at how physical activity affects depression and satisfaction with life in people with SCI.

Spinal Cord Injury-Induced Immune Deficiency Syndrome Enhances Infection

Spinal Cord Injury-Induced Immune Deficiency Syndrome Enhances Infection

This study examined whether spinal cord injury-induced immune deficiency syndrome contributed to the development of pneumonia.

Effectiveness of Group Wheelchair Skills Training

Effectiveness of Group Wheelchair Skills Training

Researchers looked at two types of training programs to determine which was more effective in helping people with SCI improve their wheelchair skills.

Transfer Technique and Shoulder Pain

Transfer Technique and Shoulder Pain

The study evaluated how technique used during wheelchair transfers related to shoulder pain and injury in people with SCI.

Risk and Protective Factors for Mortality and SCI

Risk and Protective Factors for Mortality and SCI

Researchers looked at risk and protective factors related to causes of death following SCI.

Type and Frequency of Reported Wheelchair Repairs

Type and Frequency of Reported Wheelchair Repairs

This study looked at the frequency and types of wheelchair repairs.

Investigation of Changes After Wheelchair Transfers

Investigation of Changes After Wheelchair Transfers

Researchers looked at how wheelchair transfer technique and other factors affect changes to shoulder tendons.

Long-Term Outcome in Patients with Infections

Long-Term Outcome in Patients with Infections

This study looked at the effect of pneumonia or wound infection on hospitalized patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Premature Termination of SCI Stem Cell-Based Research

Premature Termination of SCI Stem Cell-Based Research

The authors argue for clear rules for ending a study early and that premature termination negatively affects clinical research.

Randomized Trial of a Telephone Intervention

Randomized Trial of a Telephone Intervention

This study asked if “My Care My Call” (MCMC), a telephone program using a peer health coach, could improve self-management in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Depression Trajectories After SCI

Depression Trajectories After SCI

Researchers aimed to identify characteristics associated with different levels of depression in the first year after SCI.

Screening Validity and Effect on Outcomes

Screening Validity and Effect on Outcomes

This study was designed to learn whether a self-report of TBI was a valid indicator of actual TBI as determined by a careful review of medical records.

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