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.

Exercise self-efficacy and the relation with physical behavior and physical capacity in wheelchair-dependent persons with subacute spinal cord injury.

Background: Since physical activity and exercise levels are known to be generally low in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), there seems to be a need for intervention. Exercise self-efficacy (ESE), the confidence persons have in their ability to be physically active and exercise, is an important and modifiable predictor of physical behavior. The goal of this study was to 1) describe ESE in persons with subacute SCI, 2) to assess ESE in subgroups based on demographic and lesion characteristics, and 3) to explore the relation between ESE and physical behavior and physical capacity.

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).

Prospective analysis of body mass index during and up to 5 years after discharge from inpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of overweight/obesity and the course of the body mass index (BMI) in persons with spinal cord injury during and after inpatient rehabilitation.

Design: Multi-centre longitudinal study.

Subjects: A total of 184 persons with spinal cord injury.

[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.

Functional independence and health-related functional status following spinal cord injury: a prospective study of the association with physical capacity.

Objective: To determine changes in functional independence following spinal cord injury and to evaluate the association between functional independence and physical capacity.

Design: Multi-centre prospective cohort study.

Subjects: Patients with spinal cord injury admitted for initial rehabilitation.

A prospective study on physical activity levels after spinal cord injury during inpatient rehabilitation and the year after discharge.

Objectives: To assess the change over time in the physical activity level after a spinal cord injury (SCI), to explore its determinants, and to compare the physical activity level 1 year after discharge from the rehabilitation center with the level in able-bodied persons.

Design: Prospective cohort study. Measurements were obtained at the start of active rehabilitation, 3 months later, at discharge, 2 months after discharge, and 1 year after discharge.

Prognostic models for physical capacity at discharge and 1 year postdischarge from rehabilitation in persons with spinal cord injury.

Objective: To develop prognostic models for physical capacity at discharge and 1 year after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Inception cohort; data collected at start of rehabilitation (n=104), at discharge (n=81), and 1 year later (n=74).

Setting: Eight Dutch rehabilitation centers.

Complications following spinal cord injury: occurrence and risk factors in a longitudinal study during and after inpatient rehabilitation.

Objective: To assess the occurrence and risk factors for complications following spinal cord injury during and after inpatient rehabilitation.

Design: Multicentre longitudinal study.

Subjects: A total of 212 persons with a spinal cord injury admitted to specialized rehabilitation centres.

Changes in physical capacity during and after inpatient rehabilitation in subjects with a spinal cord injury.

Objective: To assess changes in physical capacity and its determinants in persons with a spinal cord injury.

Design: Prospective cohort study. Measurements at the start of active rehabilitation (t1), 3 months later (t2), at discharge (t3), and 1 year after discharge (t4).