Breaking the news: A pilot study on patient perspectives of discussing prognosis after traumatic spinal cord injury.

Objective/background: In spinal cord injury (SCI) medicine, informing a patient with a neurologically complete SCI of the poor prognosis ("bad news") for significant neurological recovery (e.g. ambulation) is difficult.

Acute rehospitalizations during inpatient rehabilitation for spinal cord injury.

Objectives: To investigate frequency of and reasons for readmission to acute care (RTAC) during inpatient rehabilitation after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), and to identify factors associated with RTAC.

Design: Prospective observational cohort.

Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation.

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.

Intermittent catheterization with a hydrophilic-coated catheter delays urinary tract infections in acute spinal cord injury: a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial.

Objective: To investigate whether intermittent catheterization (IC) with a hydrophilic-coated catheter delays the onset of the first symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) and reduces the number of symptomatic UTIs in patients with acute spinal cord injury (SCI) compared with IC with standard, uncoated catheters.

Design: A prospective, randomized, parallel-group trial.

Setting: Fifteen North American SCI centers.

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.

_ 2009 review and revisions of the international standards for the neurological classification of spinal cord injury.

The International Standards for the Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) were recently reviewed by the ASIA's Education and Standards Committees, in collaboration with the International Spinal Cord Society's Education Committee. Available educational materials for the ISNCSCI were also reviewed. The last citable reference for the ISNCSCI's methodology is the ISNCSCI Reference Manual, published in 2003 by ASIA.

Predictors of ventilator weaning in individuals with high cervical spinal cord injury.

Background/objective: To evaluate which tests best predict the ability of patients with ventilator-dependent tetraplegia to wean from the ventilator.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients.

Participants: Twenty-six ventilator-dependent patients with tetraplegia admitted to a university inpatient spinal cord-injury rehabilitation unit with American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) injury levels C2 to C6, A or B.

Preliminary reliability and validity of a Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Conditions Scale.

Background/objective: Although the impact of secondary conditions after spinal cord injury (SCI) on health, well being, and financial burden have been studied, there are psychometrically sound scales of secondary conditions in the extant literature. The use of such scales allows for cross-sample comparison of secondary condition prevalence rates and associations with functional, medical, and psychosocial factors. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the preliminary reliability of a SCI secondary conditions scale.

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.

Spinal cord injury medicine. 6. Economic and societal issues in spinal cord injury.

Unlabelled: This self-directed learning module presents a variety of social and economic issues facing people with spinal cord injury (SCI). It is part of the study guide on SCI medicine in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article focuses on the economic consequences of SCI, ethical issues in SCI, and the legislative efforts that have improved access and quality of life for people with disabilities.

Spinal cord injury medicine. 5. Long-term medical issues and health maintenance.

Unlabelled: This self-directed learning module highlights long-term care issues in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). It is part of the study guide on SCI in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The most common secondary medical complications include pressure ulcers, pneumonia, and genitourinary issues.

Spinal cord injury medicine. 4. Community reintegration after spinal cord injury.

Unlabelled: This self-directed learning module highlights community reintegration after spinal cord injury (SCI). It is part of the study guide on spinal cord injury medicine in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article specifically focuses on physical, social, psychologic, and environmental barriers that affect people with SCI and on how these issues affect relations with others.

Spinal cord injury medicine. 3. Rehabilitation phase after acute spinal cord injury.

Unlabelled: This self-directed learning module highlights the rehabilitation aspects of care for people with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). It is part of the chapter on SCI medicine in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article specifically focuses on the formulation of a rehabilitation plan based on functional goals by level of injury.

Spinal cord injury medicine. 2. Acute care management of traumatic and nontraumatic injury.

Unlabelled: This self-directed learning module highlights the basic acute care management of traumatic and nontraumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). It is part of the chapter on SCI medicine in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Acute traumatic SCI is optimally managed in a level 1 trauma center.

Spinal cord injury medicine. 1. Epidemiology and classification.

Unlabelled: This self-directed learning module reviews the demographics of traumatic and nontraumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs). It is part of the study guide on SCI medicine in the Self-Directed Physiatric Educational Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article specifically focuses on the changing demographics of traumatic SCI, the classification of SCI, the common causes of nontraumatic SCI, and the incidence and prevalence of myelomeningocele.

Perceived barriers to exercise in people with spinal cord injury.

Objective: To identify barriers to physical fitness faced by individuals with spinal cord injury preventing them from participating in a physical fitness program.

Design: In this cross-sectional study, a survey of barriers to exercise was administered to 72 individuals with spinal cord injury.

Results: Although 73.

Assessment of a holistic wellness program for persons with spinal cord injury.

Objective: To test the effectiveness of a holistic (comprehensive and integrated) wellness program for adults with spinal cord injury.

Design: A total of 43 adults with spinal cord injury were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. The intervention group attended six half-day wellness workshops during 3 mos, covering physical activity, nutrition, lifestyle management, and prevention of secondary conditions.