The Feasibility of Blood Flow Restriction Exercise in Patients With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury.

Background: Blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise, which already has shown promise in the able-bodied population, may be a novel method for improving muscle function in the incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) population. However, the feasibility and tolerance for BFR exercise in this population is unknown.

Objective: To determine the feasibility and safety of BFR exercise in the iSCI population, with special attention paid to acute hemodynamic changes and the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Interdisciplinary development of an ergonomic prone mobility cart.

Pressure ulcers remain a major source of morbidity and mortality in Veterans with neurologic impairment. Management of pressure ulcers typically involves pressure relief over skin regions containing wounds, but this can lead to loss of mobility and independence when the wounds are located in regions that receive pressure during sitting. An innovative, iterative design process was undertaken to improve prone cart design for persons with spinal cord injury and pressure ulceration.