Temporal stability and responsiveness of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment following acquired brain injury.

Objectives: To evaluate the temporal stability and responsiveness of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in acquired brain injury (ABI).

Research Design And Methods: English-speaking adults with stroke or moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury were administered alternate forms of the MoCA (version 1, then 2), 6 weeks apart. Chronic group participants (n = 40) were community-dwelling, at least 1 year post-ABI (mean = 12.

Treatment for spasticity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease.

Background: Spasticity commonly affects patients with motor neuron disease. It is likely to contribute to worsening muscle dysfunction, increased difficulty with activities of daily living and deteriorating quality of life. This is an update of a review first published in 2003 and previously updated in 2005 and 2008.

Validity of the walking scale for spinal cord injury and other domains of function in a multicenter clinical trial.

Objective: To demonstrate criterion (concurrent and predictive) and construct validity of the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI) scale and other walking measures in the Spinal Cord Injury Locomotor Trial (SCILT).

Design: Prospective multicenter clinical trial of a walking intervention for patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). PARTICIPANTS/ METHODS: Body weight-supported treadmill training was compared to overground mobility training in 146 patients with incomplete SCI (C4 to L3) enrolled within 8 weeks of onset and treated for 12 weeks.

Comparison of speeds used for the 15.2-meter and 6-minute walks over the year after an incomplete spinal cord injury: the SCILT Trial.

Background: Timed walking speed for 6 to 15 m and the distance walked in 2 to 12 minutes are frequently used outcome measures in rehabilitation trials, presumably reflecting different aspects of walking ability. The database from the Spinal Cord Injury Locomotor Trial (SCILT), which tested 2 interventions for mobility upon admission for initial rehabilitation of an incomplete traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), was used to compare the walking speed employed for each test.

Methods: From 66 to 70 patients with upper motor neuron lesions from C-5 to T-10 performed a 15.

The evolution of walking-related outcomes over the first 12 weeks of rehabilitation for incomplete traumatic spinal cord injury: the multicenter randomized Spinal Cord Injury Locomotor Trial.

Background: The Spinal Cord Injury Locomotor Trial (SCILT) compared 12 weeks of step training with body weight support on a treadmill (BWSTT) that included overground practice to a defined but more conventional overground mobility intervention (CONT) in patients with incomplete traumatic SCI within 8 weeks of onset. No previous studies have reported walking-related outcomes during rehabilitation.

Methods: This single-blinded, randomized trial entered 107 American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) C and D patients and 38 ASIA B patients with lesions between C5 and L3 who were unable to walk on admission for rehabilitation.

Concordance in goal setting between patients with multiple sclerosis and their rehabilitation team.

Objective: To determine the concordance between patients with multiple sclerosis and their clinical team members on the identification of goals for an inpatient rehabilitation stay.

Design: Prospective cohort study of patients admitted for rehabilitation in an adult inpatient neurospinal unit at a Rehabilitation Centre in Ottawa, Canada. Twenty-seven patients (11 men and 16 women, mean age of 45.

Weight-supported treadmill vs over-ground training for walking after acute incomplete SCI.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of step training with body weight support on a treadmill (BWSTT) with over-ground practice to the efficacy of a defined over-ground mobility therapy (CONT) in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) admitted for inpatient rehabilitation.

Methods: A total of 146 subjects from six regional centers within 8 weeks of SCI were entered in a single-blinded, multicenter, randomized clinical trial (MRCT). Subjects were graded on the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (ASIA) as B, C, or D with levels from C5 to L3 and had a Functional Independence Measure for locomotion (FIM-L) score < 4.

A secure web-based approach for accessing transitional health information for people with traumatic brain injury.

A web-based transitional health record was created to provide regional healthcare professionals with ubiquitous access to information on people with brain injuries as they move through the healthcare system. Participants included public, private, and community healthcare organizations/providers in Eastern Ontario (Canada). One hundred and nineteen service providers and 39 brain injury survivors registered over 6 months.

Treatment for spasticity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease.

Background: Spasticity commonly affects patients with motor neuron disease. It is likely to contribute to worsening muscle dysfunction, increased difficulty with activities of daily living and deteriorating quality of life.

Objectives: The objective of this review is to systematically review treatments for spasticity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as motor neuron disease.

Male erectile dysfunction following spinal cord injury: a systematic review.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objective: To review sexuality in persons with spinal cord injuries (SCIs), and to report the effectiveness of erectile interventions.

Methods: Reports from six databases (1966-2003), selected annual proceedings (1997-2002) and manufacturer's information were screened against eligibility criteria.

Fertility following spinal cord injury: a systematic review.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objectives: To review systematically fertility of persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and their partners.

Methods: Reports from six databases (1966-2003), selected annual proceedings (1997-2002) and manufacturer's information were screened against eligibility criteria.

Effect of 4-aminopyridine on gait in ambulatory spinal cord injuries: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

Unlabelled: Animal and human research have shown that the drug 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) may improve gait in spinal cord lesions by enhancing nerve transmission to affected muscles.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

Objectives: To determine the efficacy of 4-AP in improving lower limb muscle strength and biomechanical gait patterns of chronic spinal cord injuries (SCI).

Treatment for spasticity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease.

Background: Spasticity commonly affects patients with motor neuron disease and it is likely to contribute to worsening muscle dysfunction, increased difficulty with activities of daily living and deteriorating quality of life.

Objectives: The objective of this review is to systematically review all types of treatments for spasticity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as motor neuron disease.

Search Strategy: We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group specialised trials register (searched January 2003), MEDLINE (January 1966 to January 2003), EMBASE (January 1980 to January 2003), CINAHL (January 1982 to January 2003), AMED (January 1985 to January 2003) and LILACS (January 1982 to January 2003) for randomized controlled trials.

Methods for a randomized trial of weight-supported treadmill training versus conventional training for walking during inpatient rehabilitation after incomplete traumatic spinal cord injury.

The authors describe the rationale and methodology for the first prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical trial (RCT) of a task-oriented walking intervention for subjects during early rehabilitation for an acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). The experimental strategy, body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT), allows physical therapists to systematically train patients to walk on a treadmill at increasing speeds typical of community ambulation with increasing weight hearing. The therapists provide verbal and tactile cues to facilitate the kinematic, kinetic, and temporal features of walking.

Physical ergonomics in veterinary dentistry.

Ergonomics is the application of a body of knowledge addressing the interactions between man and the total working environment, such as atmosphere, heat, light and sound, as well as all tools and equipment of the workplace. Work related musculoskeletal injuries, caused by poor posture, have been discussed in human dentistry for several years. Veterinary dentistry, as a relatively new specialty within veterinary medicine, should address the ergonomics of poor posture without further delay to prevent work-related injuries.

Evaluation of Bioglass/PerioGlas (Consil) synthetic bone graft particulate in the dog and cat.

This paper describes the use of Bioglass synthetic bone graft particulate (PerioGlas/Consil) in the treatment of osseous periodontal defects, and in post-extraction sites to maintain the vertical height and width of the alveolar ridge. The material is easy to use, inhibits epithelial down-growth, and acts as a mechanical hemostatic agent. Radiographic follow up in 36 dogs and 5 cats demonstrated significant bone fill.

Use of videofluoroscopy in zoo dentistry: endodontic procedure in a tiger.

Videofluoroscopy was used as a radiographic technique to visualize a canine tooth during root canal therapy in a Siberian tiger. Videofluoroscopy was useful because the procedure was performed in a zoo setting with no access to an on-site darkroom. The fluoroscopic screen and videotape allowed for immediate viewing of the root canal system.

Use of a resin-ionomer in crown-root fracture repair of a canine tooth of a dog.

A resin-ionomer material was used to repair a longitudinal sub-crestal crown-root fracture of a maxillary canine tooth of a young dog. Infinity, the resin-ionomer used in this report, has been shown in human studies to be biocompatible with soft and osseous tissues, making it appropriate for use as a subgingival restorative material. The tooth was treated endodontically to achieve apexification, followed by conventional endodontic treatment, crown-root fracture repair, and preparation for placement of an Inceram crown.

Long-term intrathecal baclofen therapy in patients with intractable spasticity.

Background: Severe spasticity unresponsive to oral drugs may respond satisfactorily to baclofen delivered intrathecally.

Methods: Intrathecal baclofen (IB) therapy delivered by means of implanted infusion pumps was used for nine patients with severe spasticity. Six patients had multiple sclerosis, two cervical spinal cord injury, and one head injury.

Dens in dente in a six year old doberman pinscher.

Developmental abnormalities of tooth shape and form are rare. Identification of dens in dente is made by radiographic and clinical examination. Pulpitis, pulp necrosis and periapical inflammation can be associated with this abnormality.

Cardiovascular responses to acute exercise in patients with cerebrovascular accidents.

Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) responses to isometric hand grip, exercise with the cybex arm ergometer, and cybex fitron cycle ergometer were recorded for 19 stroke subjects and 19 control subjects matched by age and gender. Mean age in both groups was 66 years. There was no significant difference in the resting HR (controls: 69 +/- 10, patients: 70 +/- 11 beats per minute) and BP measurements (systolic--controls: 140 +/- 17, patients: 135 +/- 21; diastolic--controls 80 +/- 8, patients: 75 +/- 11mmHg).