Perspectives of individuals with chronic spinal cord injury following novel balance training involving functional electrical stimulation with visual feedback: a qualitative exploratory study.

Background: Individuals with an incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) are highly susceptible to falls during periods of walking or standing. We recently reported the findings of a novel intervention combining functional electrical stimulation with visual feedback balance training (FES + VFBT) on standing balance abilities among five individuals with motor iSCI. However, the previous publication did not report the perceived impact of the intervention on the participants' lives.

Using wearable sensors to characterize gait after spinal cord injury: evaluation of test-retest reliability and construct validity.

Study Design: Quantitative cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Evaluate the test-retest reliability and the construct validity of inertial measurement units (IMU) to characterize spatiotemporal gait parameters in individuals with SCI.

Setting: Two SCI rehabilitation centers in Canada.

Functional Electrical Stimulation Plus Visual Feedback Balance Training for Standing Balance Performance Among Individuals With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Series.

Individuals with an incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) are highly susceptible to falls during walking or standing. Our objective was to evaluate a therapeutic tool for standing balance that combined functional electrical stimulation, applied bilaterally to the plantarflexors and dorsiflexors, with visual feedback balance training (FES+VFBT). Five adults with iSCI completed 12 FES+VFBT sessions over 4 weeks.

Motorcyclist fatality rates and mandatory helmet-use laws.

Using cross-sectional time series data for the 50 states and Washington, DC, covering the period 1975-2004, we estimate fixed effects regression models that examine the effects of universal and partial helmet laws on three different motorcyclist fatality rates, while controlling for other state policies and characteristics. Depending on the particular measure that is employed, states with universal helmet laws have motorcyclist fatality rates that are on average 22-33% lower in comparison to the experience with no helmet law. Additionally, partial coverage helmet laws are associated with reductions in motorcyclist fatality rates of 7-10%, on average.

Motorcycle safety and the repeal of universal helmet laws.

Objectives: We assessed the implications for motorcyclist safety of recent repeals of universal helmet laws in 6 US states.

Methods: We examined cross-sectional time-series data from the 50 states and the District of Columbia for the period 1975 through 2004.

Results: On average, when compared to state experience with no helmet mandate, universal helmet laws were associated with an 11.

Are helmet laws protecting young motorcyclists?

Problem: The trend in state mandatory motorcycle helmet laws is away from universal coverage to partial coverage statutes that require only young riders to wear a helmet. Among partial coverage states substantial variation exists in this age requirement. How effective are motorcycle helmet laws at reducing young motorcyclist fatalities?

Method: The dependent variable is the number of motorcyclist fatalities 15-20 years of age.

Safety belt use and the switch to primary enforcement, 1991-2003.

State seat belt laws have increased use rates and have reduced traffic fatalities, but tremendous variation exists in the laws. New Hampshire does not have a law, and 30 states have only secondary enforcement laws. Whereas primary enforcement allows an officer to issue a citation for any infraction, secondary enforcement permits a citation only if a motorist is stopped for another infraction first.

Getting Americans to buckle up: the efficacy of state seat belt laws.

Annual state observed safety belt use rates over the period 1991-2001 are examined using time-series cross-section regression analysis. It was found that seat belt laws are associated with higher use rates and that the enforcement provision matters. Primary states experience belt use rates that on average are 9.

Malaria on a military peacekeeping operation: a case study with no cases.

Background: Malaria continues to be a disease of importance to travelers and the military is no exception. Individual protection measures based on advice, bite avoidance, chemoprophylaxis, and diagnosis are advocated for protection against the disease. However, the military has an additional strand to malaria protection--the chain of command.

Traffic safety and the switch to a primary seat belt law: the California experience.

This study explores whether the change of an existing seat belt law from secondary to primary enforcement enhances traffic safety. In particular, we examine traffic fatalities and injuries in California from 1988 to 1997. During the first half of this period, California law provided for secondary enforcement of its mandatory seat belt law, but in 1993 it upgraded the law to primary enforcement.