The Effects of an Anti-inflammatory Dietary Consultation on Self-efficacy, Adherence and Selected Health Outcomes: A Randomized Control Trial.

Research has shown that an anti-inflammatory diet can reduce inflammation and improve health outcomes in individuals with neurological disability, however, long term adherence is challenging. This study aimed to determine the effects of a 2-part dietary consultation, targeted at identified barriers for adherence in this population, on self-efficacy for adhering to an anti-inflammatory diet, as well as adherence and health outcomes one-month post-intervention. Eleven individuals (10 female, age 51.

Exploring the Lived Experiences of Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has affected over 100 countries and has led to the tragic loss of life, overwhelmed health care systems and severely impacted the global economy. Specifically, individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI) are particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic as they often face adverse impacts on their health, emotional well-being, community participation, and life expectancy. The objective of this study was to investigate the lived experience of individuals with SCI during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada.

Effects of Creatine Supplementation and Progressive Resistance Training in Stroke Survivors.

The purpose was to investigate the effects of progressive resistance training (PRT) and creatine supplementation in stroke survivors. Participants were randomized to one of two groups: creatine ( = 5; 51 ± 16y) or placebo ( = 3; 73 ± 8y) during 10 weeks of supervised PRT. Prior to and following PRT and supplementation, assessments were made for body composition (lean tissue and fat mass), muscle thickness, muscle strength (1-repetition maximum), functional exercise capacity (6-minute walk test, Berg Balance Scale; BBS), cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment; MoCA), and symptoms of anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7; GAD-7) and depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale; CES-D).

Cannabinoids and an anti-inflammatory diet for the treatment of neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury (The CATNP Study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Study Design: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, clinical trial.

Objective: The objective of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of cannabinoids and an anti-inflammatory diet, alone and in combination, for the management of neuropathic pain (NP) after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting: Two Canadian SCI rehabilitation centers.

Supporting sexual adjustment from the perspective of men living with spinal cord injury.

Study Design: Descriptive phenomenological approach.

Objectives: This study explored the lived experience of sexuality for men after spinal cord injury (SCI) and described the current state of tools and resources available to assist with sexual adjustment from the perspective of men living with SCI.

Setting: Men living in the community in Ontario, Canada.

Accessible exercise equipment and individuals with multiple sclerosis: Aerobic demands and preferences.

Background: Although exercise training has benefits for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), research regarding the type of exercise equipment that requires the greatest aerobic demand, and consumer-based preferences, is lacking.

Objective: To determine the aerobic demands of various pieces of accessible exercise equipment and consumer-based preferences on several domains.

Methods: Ten individuals with moderate-severity MS had their VO2 measured during 10 minutes of moderate-intensity arm ergometry (AE), body-weight support treadmill training (BWSTT), recumbent arm-leg exercise (NuStep), FES-arm exercise (RT300), FES-leg exercise (RT300) and FES arm-leg exercise (RT200).

The effects of acute aerobic exercise on mood and inflammation in individuals with multiple sclerosis and incomplete spinal cord injury.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are associated with increased risks of depression. Acute exercise may improve mood in these populations via its affect on inflammation.

Objective: To determine if acute exercise can positively affect mood in individuals with SCI and MS, and whether exercise-induced changes in inflammation contribute to such improvements.

Maintenance of diet participation in individuals with spinal cord injury: effect on mood and neuropathic pain.

Study Design: One-year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: Examine voluntary dietary compliance 1 year following the cessation of the intervention and the persistence of accrued benefits related to neuropathic pain and mood.

Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation program within the Niagara region.

Correction: Evidence-based scientific exercise guidelines for adults with spinal cord injury: an update and a new guideline.

Authors Victoria L. Goosey-Tolfrey and Karen M. Smith were listed under the incorrect affiliations at the time of publication.

Changes in nutrient intake and inflammation following an anti-inflammatory diet in spinal cord injury.

The objective of the current study was to describe the observed changes in nutrient intakes following a 3-month anti-inflammatory diet, and to explore potential relationships between the change in nutrients and the change in various inflammatory mediators. A secondary analysis of a prior randomized controlled clinical trial. Individuals with SCI within the Niagara region.

Barriers and facilitators to adhering to an anti-inflammatory diet for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

The purpose of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators of an anti-inflammatory diet in people with spinal cord injury. Six participants (age range of 23-68 years, three women and three men) who had previously completed an anti-inflammatory diet study were interviewed. Facilitators identified were family support, autonomy over meal choice, peer support, health benefits gained, and implementation of adherence strategies.

A call to reevaluate cardiac autonomic assessment after spinal cord injury.

This "Perspectives" article puts forward the notion that measuring heart rate variability, or other forms of cardiac autonomic regulation, after spinal cord injury must be performed during a test of autonomic stress. Resting values of heart rate variability are often similar to those obtained from able-bodied individuals, which may therefore be falsely interpreted as normal or healthy autonomic regulation. However, evidence shows that despite normal resting values, cardiac autonomic control is impaired when individual with spinal cord injury are subjected to a cold face test, head-up tilt, or recovery from exercise.

Assessing Heart Rate Variability As a Surrogate Measure of Cardiac Autonomic Function in Chronic Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

Although cardiac autonomic dysfunction is a contributing factor for cardiovascular disease development in individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI), it remains poorly understood. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis has the potential to non-invasively assess the cardiac autonomic nervous system. The study objectives are (a) to determine if there are differences in HRV measures across neurological level of impairment (NLI) and American Spinal Cord Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) subgroups, and (b) to determine if there is a relationship between HRV frequency measures (low frequency [LF] and high frequency [HF]) at rest.

The Influence of Chronic Inflammation on Peripheral Motor Nerve Conduction Following Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

To examine the potential influence of chronic inflammation on peripheral motor nerve function in vivo following spinal cord injury (SCI). This study was part of a randomized, parallel-group, controlled clinical trial. The study included 20 participants with varying levels and severities of SCI randomized (3:2) to either a treatment group, consisting of a 12-week anti-inflammatory diet program, or control group.

Evidence-based scientific exercise guidelines for adults with spinal cord injury: an update and a new guideline.

Objectives: To describe the process and outcomes of using a new evidence base to develop scientific guidelines that specify the type and minimum dose of exercise necessary to improve fitness and cardiometabolic health in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting: International.

Methods: Using Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II reporting criteria, steps included (a) determining the guidelines' scope; (b) conducting a systematic review of relevant literature; (c) holding three consensus panel meetings (European, Canadian and International) to formulate the guidelines; (d) obtaining stakeholder feedback; and (e) process evaluation by an AGREE II consultant.

Comparison of a Web-Based Teaching Tool and Traditional Didactic Learning for In Vitro Fertilization Patients: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The objective of this prospective RCT was to compare the efficacy of a web-based teaching tool to traditional didactic teaching in IVF patients.

Methods: Forty women undergoing their first IVF cycle were randomly allocated to an interactive web-based teaching session or a nurse-led didactic teaching session. The primary outcome measure was participant knowledge regarding the IVF process, risks, and logistics assessed before and after the respective teaching session.

Effects of exercise on fitness and health of adults with spinal cord injury: A systematic review.

Objective: To synthesize and appraise research testing the effects of exercise interventions on fitness, cardiometabolic health, and bone health among adults with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Electronic databases were searched (1980-2016). Included studies employed exercise interventions for a period ≥2 weeks, involved adults with acute or chronic SCI, and measured fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, power output, or muscle strength), cardiometabolic health (body composition or cardiovascular risk factors), or bone health outcomes.

Managing the stigma: Exploring body image experiences and self-presentation among people with spinal cord injury.

Using modified constructivist grounded theory, the purpose of this study was to explore body image experiences in people with spinal cord injury. Nine participants (five women, four men) varying in age (21-63 years), type of injury (C3-T7; complete and incomplete), and years post-injury (4-36 years) took part in semi-structured in-depth interviews. The following main categories were found: appearance, weight concerns, negative functional features, impact of others, body disconnection, hygiene and incontinence, and self-presentation.

Exploring daily blood pressure fluctuations and cardiovascular risk among individuals with motor complete spinal cord injury: a pilot study.

Background: Clinically silent autonomic dysfunction with bowel and bladder care, are postulated to contribute to cardiovascular disease after chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Objective: We describe the frequency and severity of dysreflexic episodes, termed transient blood pressure elevations (T-BPE) over 48 hours in adults with cervical or high-thoracic motor-complete SCI.

Setting: Tertiary SCI Rehabilitation Centre in Toronto, Canada.

"My body was my temple": a narrative revealing body image experiences following treatment of a spinal cord injury.

Purpose: This narrative explores the lived experience of a young woman, Rebecca, and her transitioned body image after sustaining and being treated for a spinal cord injury.

Method: Data were collected from a single semi-structured in-depth interview.

Results: Rebecca disclosed her transitioned body image experiences after sustaining a spinal cord injury and being treated by medical staff immediately following her injury.

Carotid artery longitudinal wall motion is associated with local blood velocity and left ventricular rotational, but not longitudinal, mechanics.

Recent studies have identified a predictable movement pattern of the common carotid artery wall in the longitudinal direction. While there is evidence that the magnitude of this carotid artery longitudinal wall motion (CALM) is sensitive to cardiovascular health status, little is known about the determinants of CALM The purpose of this integrative study was to evaluate the contribution of left ventricular (LV) cardiac motion and local blood velocity to CALM Simultaneous ultrasound measurements of CALM, common carotid artery mean blood velocity (MBV), and left ventricular motion were performed in ten young, healthy individuals (6 males; 22 ± 1 years). Peak anterograde CALM occurred at a similar time as peak MBV (18.

Targeting inflammation as a treatment modality for neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of an anti-inflammatory intervention as a treatment for neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: This randomized, parallel-group, controlled clinical trial (NCT02099890) examined 20 participants with varying levels and severities of SCI, randomized (3:2) to either a 12-week anti-inflammatory diet, or control group. Outcome measures consisted of self-determined indices of pain as assessed using the neuropathic pain questionnaire (NPQ) and markers of inflammation as assessed by various pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as the eicosanoids PGE2 and LTB4.

Effects of a Functional Electrical Stimulation-Assisted Cycling Program on Immune and Cardiovascular Health in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with both a state of chronic inflammation and an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). These disorders are closely linked and have been shown to negatively influence one another. Participation in regular exercise has been shown to be an effective intervention strategy in the treatment of each of these disorders.