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Article describes the development and psychometric properties of the Spinal Cord Injury Functional Index (SCI-FI) for people using assistive technology (AT) and reports the initial psychometric properties of each domain. A cross-sectional survey followed by computerized adaptive test (CAT) simulations were conducted with 460 adults with traumatic spinal cord ...

Article on orgasm in women with spinal cord injury (SCI). Summarizes the results of 2 studies concerning the ability of women with SCI to achieve orgasm, including the percentage who reported that they could achieve orgasm, regions of stimulation, and autonomic dysreflexia following orgasm.

Commentary reports the results of a survey investigating the frequency of total testosterone screening conducted for men with spinal cord injury (SCI) during inpatient rehabilitation at 16 model SCI systems. Results revealed that 1 of the model systems conducted total testosterone screenings on all men with SCI at admission. ...

There are many research issues associated with the scientific study of aging in the general population that also relate to the study of aging with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the recognition of these issues has been limited in SCI aging research. These issues, which include era and survivor ...

Article examines various factors that affect the design, analysis, and interpretation research on aging with spinal cord injury (SCI). These include factors that apply to aging in the general population, such as the effects of chronological age and the effects associated with the historical period in which the research ...

Article re-analyzing data from a study comparing outcomes for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) related to firearms versus SCI caused by motor vehicle crashes. The initial analysis of data from 164 men with SCI (77 motor vehicle injuries and 87 firearm injuries) showed little difference on the 3 ...

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 ...

Study examined the relationship between time and required intrathecal baclofen dose necessary for keeping spasticity at an acceptable level. The study also investigated whether tolerance was a factor in the study subjects. Subjects were 18 individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who had undergone continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion pump ...

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 ...

Study compared outcomes between pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchair (PAPAW) and traditional manual wheelchair propulsion among subjects with tetraplegia. Participants propelled both their own manual wheelchairs and a PAPAW through slight, moderate, and high resistances on a wheelchair dynamometer. Primary variables that were compared between the 2 trials were participants' mean ...

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 ...

Chapter from a book of core curricula for advanced practice nurses (APN's) in rehabilitation, presenting a curriculum for APN's as interdisciplinary team leaders in rehabilitation. Presents learning objectives and outlines the following topics: concepts, definitions, historical theories, and current research related to team function; styles of effective team leaders; ...

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 reviewing measures of generic health-related quality of life (HRQOL) that have been or might be used to measure outcomes in disability outcomes research, including Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), and Quality of Well-Being (QWB) Scale. The authors conclude that none of these ...

Article describes elements of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act, legislation drafted by the Social Security Administration to reduce financial disincentives to return to work for recipients of Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance. The legislation created 3 new entities: (1) the Ticket to ...

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 ...

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 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.

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 ...