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.

Contralaterally controlled neuromuscular electrical stimulation for recovery of ankle dorsiflexion: a pilot randomized controlled trial in patients with chronic post-stroke hemiplegia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of contralaterally controlled neuromuscular electrical stimulation (CCNMES) vs. cyclic neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on lower extremity impairment, functional ambulation, and gait characteristics.

Design: Twenty-six survivors of stroke with chronic (≥6 mos) foot drop during ambulation were randomly assigned to 6 wks of CCNMES or cyclic NMES.

Pushrim kinetics during advanced wheelchair skills in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.

Objective: To assess the peak force during wheelchair propulsion of individuals with spinal cord injury propelling over obstacles from the Wheelchair Skills Test.

Participants/methods: Twenty-three individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who are full-time manual wheelchair users were included in this prospective study. A SmartWheel (Three Rivers Holdings, LLC) was used to analyze each push while subjects negotiated standardized obstacles used in the Wheelchair Skills Test, including tile, carpet, soft surface, 5° and 10° ramps, 2 cm, 5 cm, and 15 cm curbs.

Preventive health care among community-dwelling persons with spinal cord injury.

Objective: To describe preventive health examinations/tests and behaviors of persons with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Survey.

Setting: SCI clinic and telephone contact.

Emergency evacuation readiness of full-time wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.

Objectives: To determine the percentage of full-time wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries who felt they could evacuate from various locations, and the percentage who have a plan for evacuation. Study results will help clinicians and emergency officials understand needs related to evacuation preparedness.

Design: Convenience sample survey.

A descriptive study on vitamin D levels in individuals with spinal cord injury in an acute inpatient rehabilitation setting.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of inadequate or severely deficient levels of vitamin D in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation service and to describe any associations between patient demographics and injury characteristics and vitamin D levels.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: Academic inpatient SCI rehabilitation program.

Implanted electrical stimulation of the trunk for seated postural stability and function after cervical spinal cord injury: a single case study.

Objectives: To explore and quantify the physical and functional effects of stabilizing the torso with electrical stimulation of the paralyzed hip and trunk musculature after motor complete tetraplegia.

Design: Single-subject case study with repeated measures and concurrent controls.

Setting: Academic outpatient rehabilitation center.