[Nerve transfer in patients with tetraplegia: improvement in hand function].

Reconstruction of arm and hand function in patients with a cervical spinal cord injury can improve their quality of life. Elbow extension, wrist extension, grip function and opening of the hand can be reconstructed. Traditionally, this has been done through tendon transpositions.

The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ-15): Validation of the Dutch version in patients with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.

Aims: The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ-15) evaluates symptoms of sexual dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this study was to provide and validate a Dutch version of the MSISQ-15 in patients with neurological disease such as MS and spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: The linguistic validation process of the original English MSISQ-15 into Dutch was performed according to standardized guidelines.

The validation of the Dutch SF-Qualiveen, a questionnaire on urinary-specific quality of life, in spinal cord injury patients.

Background: Optimizing the patients' quality of life is one of the main goals in the urological management of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. In this study we validated the Dutch SF-Qualiveen, a short questionnaire that measures the urinary-specific quality of life, in SCI patients. No such measure is yet available for this patient group.

Working mechanisms of a behavioural intervention promoting physical activity in persons with subacute spinal cord injury.

Objective: In order to unravel the working mechanisms that underlie the effectiveness of a behavioural intervention promoting physical activity in persons with subacute spinal cord injury, the aim of this study was to assess the mediating effects of physical and psychosocial factors on the intervention effect on physical activity.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Four rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands.

Longitudinal association between respiratory muscle strength and cough capacity in persons with spinal cord injury: An explorative analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the longitudinal association between respiratory muscle strength and cough capacity in persons with recent spinal cord injury.

Design: Longitudinal analyses.

Subjects: Forty persons with recent spinal cord injury and impaired pulmonary function.

The influence of time and adaptation on health state valuations in patients with spinal cord injury.

Objectives: One of the explanations for the difference between health state utilities elicited from patients and the public--often provided but seldom studied--is adaptation. The influence of adaptation on utilities was investigated in patients with spinal cord injury.

Methods: Interviews were held at 3 time points (T1, after admission to the rehabilitation center; T2, during active rehabilitation; T3, at least half a year after discharge).

[Decubitus ulcers in spinal cord lesion: proactive inspection].

Two patients, a 23-year-old and a 70-year-old man, were admitted to a hospital with a spinal cord lesion. During their stay they developed severe decubitus ulcers which was not noticed until after they were moved to our rehabilitation centre. Despite conventional wound therapy one of the two patients developed an infection deriving from the necrotic decubitus wound which resulted in severe sepsis.