Can the electrically stimulated manual muscle test differentiate upper from lower motor neuron injury in persons with acute SCI?

Objective: To determine if the motor response on the stimulated manual muscle test (SMMT) in muscles with a grade 0 motor score on the manual muscle test (MMT) can differentiate lower motor neuron (LMN) from upper motor neuron (UMN) injury based on the presence of spontaneous activity (SA) with needle EMG.

Design: Prospective Study.

Participants/methods: Twenty-one subjects with acute traumatic cervical SCI.

Demonstration of pressure reduction in a new proof of concept spine board.

Pressure injuries are a significant problem following spinal cord injury (SCI). High interface pressures while lying on a spine board during emergency transport appear to play a major role in their formation. The aim of the present study was to assess the interface pressures and sensing area between the body and the standard spine board (SSB) and a proof of concept spine board prototype (-5).

Redesign of a spine board: Proof of concept evaluation.

Sacral pressure ulcers are a significant problem in individuals following spinal cord injury (SCI) and are felt to be in part due to the high interface-pressures applied to the body while lying on a standard spine board (SSB) during emergency transport. The aim of the present study was to assess the interface pressures and sensing areas between the body and the SSB and two proof of concept spine board prototypes (P-1 and P-2). Ten able-bodied individuals were assessed on each board.

The Effect of a Liner on the Dispersion of Sacral Interface Pressures During Spinal Immobilization.

Sacral pressure ulcers are a significant problem following spinal cord injury and are felt to be in part due to the high interface-pressures generated while strapped to the spine board. The objective of this study was to determine sacral interface-pressure and sensing area in healthy volunteers on a spine board and the effects of a gel pressure dispersion liner. Thirty-seven volunteers were placed on a pressure-sensing mat between the subject and the spine board.