Six-Minute Walk Test as a Measure of Walking Capacity in Ambulatory Individuals With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Objective: To determine the validity of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) as an outcome measure to evaluate walking capacity in ambulatory patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Multidisciplinary ALS clinic at an academic medical center.

Vestibular deficits leading to disequilibrium and falls in ambulatory amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objective: To assess vestibular deficits in response to disequilibrium in ambulatory individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ambALS).

Design: All participants completed standard protocols for the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) by computerized dynamic posturography.

Setting: Multidisciplinary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinic at an academic medical center.

Comparison of coronary artery calcification scores and National Cholesterol Education program guidelines for coronary heart disease risk assessment and treatment paradigms in individuals with chronic traumatic spinal cord injury.

Objective: To investigate the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) according to the National Cholesterol Educational Program (NCEP) guidelines and CT coronary artery calcium scores (CCS).

Research: Cross-sectional study of consecutive sample of males with SCI presenting to a single site for CHD risk assessment.

Participants/methods: Males age 45-70 with traumatic SCI (American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) A, B, and C) injured for at least 10 years with no prior history of clinical CHD.

Adherence with the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines in men with chronic spinal cord injury.

Objective: Describe the management of dyslipidemia and adherence to the National Cholesterol Educational Program (NCEP) guidelines in men with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).

Research: Cross-sectional study of a consecutive sample of men with SCI presenting to a single site for coronary heart disease (CHD) risk assessment.

Participants/methods: Men age 45 to 70 with traumatic SCI (ASIA A, B, and C) at least 10 years prior to participation in the study with no prior history of clinical CHD.

Receipt of dental care and barriers encountered by persons with disabilities.

A study was conducted to describe the receipt of dental care by patients with disabilities and to understand their perspective with regard to barriers to dental care. Subjects for this study were recruited among patients with disabilities seen at Carolinas Rehabilitation's outpatient clinic. A questionnaire consisting of 66 questions was completed by 344 subjects; with the topics related to both medical and dental care.

Supported treadmill ambulation for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a pilot study.

Objectives: To determine the feasibility, tolerability, safety, and exercise treatment-effect size of repetitive rhythmic exercise mediated by supported treadmill ambulation training (STAT) for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Design: Interventional with repeated-measures design.

Setting: Multidisciplinary ALS clinic at academic medical center.

Reliability of the physical medicine and rehabilitation resident observation and competency assessment tool: a multi-institution study.

Objectives: To assess the psychometric qualities of a method of resident physician evaluation by faculty.

Design: Multicenter study by seven Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation training programs. Faculty physicians observed residents in brief patient encounters or teaching sessions, rated specific competencies, and provided residents with immediate feedback.

Assessment of primary care services and perceived barriers to care in persons with disabilities.

Objective: To determine what percentage of persons with disabilities have a primary care provider, participate in routine screening and health maintenance examinations, and identify perceived physical or physician barriers to receiving care.

Design: A total of 344 surveys, consisting of 66 questions, were collected from adults with disabilities receiving care at an outpatient rehabilitation clinic.

Results: A total of 89.

Cardiovascular health and fitness in persons with spinal cord injury.

There are many issues after spinal cord injury that have an impact on cardiovascular health and fitness. This article discusses many of the secondary conditions and changes that occur and how they are affected by maintenance of an active lifestyle. It also discusses many of the benefits and difficulties individuals face in maintaining a regular exercise program after spinal cord injury.