Effectiveness of upper-limb robotic-assisted therapy in the early rehabilitation phase after stroke: A single-blind, randomised, controlled trial.

Background: Upper-limb robotic-assisted therapy (RAT) is promising for stroke rehabilitation, particularly in the early phase. When RAT is provided as partial substitution of conventional therapy, it is expected to be at least as effective or might be more effective than conventional therapy. Assessments have usually been restricted to the first 2 domains of the International classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF).

Development and Implementation of the World Health Organization Emergency Medical Teams: Minimum Technical Standards and Recommendations for Rehabilitation.

Emergency medical teams provide urgent medical and surgical care in emergencies characterized by a surge in trauma or disease. Rehabilitation has historically not been included in the acute phase of care, as teams have either not perceived it as their responsibility or have relied on external providers, including local services and international organizations, to provide services. Low- and middle-income countries, which often have limited rehabilitation capacity within their health system,  are particularly vulnerable to disaster and are usually  ill-equipped to address the increased burden of rehabilitation needs that arise.

Midodrine in patients with spinal cord injury and anejaculation: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled pilot study.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of midodrine in the treatment of anejaculation in men with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Study Design: Prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study.

Method: Men with anejaculation associated with SCI (level of injury above T10) of more than 1 year in duration were approached.

Comparison of multidirectional seated postural stability between individuals with spinal cord injury and able-bodied individuals.

Objectives: To compare multidirectional seated postural stability between individuals with spinal cord injury and able-bodied- individuals and to evaluate the impact of abdominal and low back muscle paralysis on multidirectional seated stability.

Design: Case-control study.

Participants: Fifteen individuals with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury affecting various vertebral levels participated in this study and were gender-matched with 15 able-bodied individuals.

Which trunk inclination directions best predict multidirectional-seated limits of stability among individuals with spinal cord injury?

Objective: To determine which trunk inclination directions most accurately predict multidirectional-seated limits of stability among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Predictive study using cross-sectional data.

Setting: Pathokinesiology Laboratory.

Effects of upper limb positions and weight support roles on quasi-static seated postural stability in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Seated postural stability has not been studied extensively in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The main purpose of this study was to compare the effects of upper limb (U/L) positions and U/L weight support roles on quasi-static postural stability between individuals with SCI and healthy controls. Fourteen individuals with SCI and 14 healthy controls sat on an instrumented seat with their feet resting on force plates and randomly maintained five short-sitting positions for 60s with or without hand support.

Spontaneous motor rhythms of the back and legs in a patient with a complete spinal cord transection.

Background: Spontaneous activity originating from the spinal cord has been sporadically reported in humans.

Objectives: Investigation of such rhythmic activity of the trunk and legs in a 49-year-old male patient who had a complete severance of the spinal cord at the fifth thoracic vertebra.

Methods: A multichannel electromyography (EMG) study was performed together with kinematics measurements obtained from an Optotrak system.

Creatine supplementation for weak muscles in persons with chronic tetraplegia: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial.

Background And Objectives: Creatine supplementation improves muscle strength in some patient populations with neurologic disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine whether creatine supplementation improves muscle strength and endurance in weak upper limb muscles in persons with tetraplegia, and whether it improves function.

Methods: Outpatients with tetraplegia and mild wrist extensor weakness were randomized to receive either creatine or placebo in a double-blind crossover design.

Measuring hand intrinsic muscle strength: normal values and interrater reliability.

Background: The intrinsic muscles of the hand are of interest in spinal cord injury (SCI) and other myelopathies, because they are innervated by the most caudal cord segments innervating the upper limb. In addition, abnormalities of the peripheral nervous system, such as peripheral nerve entrapments, often affect hand intrinsic muscle strength of SCI patients. Therefore, measuring hand intrinsic strength may allow for early diagnosis of neurologic decline.

Functional recovery from paraplegia caused by syphilitic meningomyelitis.

Background: Syphilitic involvement of the nervous system can present in many different ways. We report a patient who presented with rapidly evolving paraparesis secondary to syphilitic meningomyelitis.

Methods: Case report.