Effectiveness of Automated Locomotor Training in Patients with Acute Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized, Controlled, Multicenter Trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the effect of longer training times (50 instead of 25 min per day) using a robotic device results in a better outcome of walking ability of subjects with a subacute motor complete (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale [AIS]-B) and incomplete (AIS-C) spinal cord injury. Twenty-one patients were enrolled in the study, whereof 18 completed, on average, 34 trainings in 8 weeks. Longer training times resulted in better locomotor function.

Differences in health, participation and life satisfaction outcomes in adults following paediatric- versus adult-sustained spinal cord injury.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Objectives: To compare differences in self-reported health status, participation and life satisfaction outcomes between adults with a spinal cord injury (SCI) sustained during paediatric (P) versus adulthood (A) years.

Setting: Ontario, Canada.

Associations with being physically active and the achievement of WHO recommendations on physical activity in people with spinal cord injury.

Study Design: Secondary data analysis from the cross-sectional survey of the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study.

Objectives: To explore associations with physical activity (PA) levels in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) with the specific aim to identify aspects that potentially explain being physically active (PHYS-ACT) and the achievement of the World Health Organization recommendations on PA.

Setting: Community sample (n=485).

Repetitive Intermittent Hypoxia and Locomotor Training Enhances Walking Function in Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury Subjects: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Incomplete spinal cord injuries (iSCI) leave spared synaptic pathways below the level of injury. Intermittent hypoxia (IH) elicits plasticity in the spinal cord and strengthens spared synaptic pathways, expressed as respiratory and somatic functional recovery in experimental animals and humans with iSCI. This study is a randomized, triple-blind, two-arm parallel clinical trial performed in Santiago, Chile.

The influence of a home-based exercise intervention on human health indices in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (HOMEX-SCI): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) creates a complex pathology that can lead to an increase in sedentary behaviours and deleterious changes in body composition. Consequently, individuals with SCI are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes mellitus. While the role of physical activity on the reduction of chronic disease risk is well documented in non-disabled individuals the evidence is less conclusive for persons with SCI.

THE EFFECT OF MONOSIALOGANGLYOSIDE (GM-1) ADMINISTRATION IN SPINAL CORD INJURY.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of monosialoganglioside (GM-1) in spinal cord trauma patients seen in our service who have not been treated with methylprednisolone.

Methods: Thirty patients with acute spinal cord trauma were randomly divided into two groups. In Group 1, patients received 200 mg GM-1 in the initial assessment and thereafter received 100 mg intravenous per day for 30 days and Group 2 (control) received saline.

Intermittent Hypoxia Does not Elicit Memory Impairment in Spinal Cord Injury Patients.

There is a critical need for new therapeutic strategies to restore motor function in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCIs), without unwanted effects. Intermittent hypoxia (IH) induces plasticity in spared synaptic pathways to motor neurons below the level of injury, which can be harnessed to elicit motor recovery in incomplete SCI patients. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of IH on memory function.

Short-term effects of upper extremity circuit resistance training on muscle strength and functional independence in patients with paraplegia.

Background And Objectives: A number of exercises to strengthen the upper extremities are recommended to increase functional independence and quality of life (QoL) in patients with paraplegia. Circuit resistance training (CRT) is a type of progressive resistive exercise performed repeatedly at fixed mechanical exercise stations. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential benefits of CRT for upper extremity muscle strength, functional independence, and QoL in patients with paraplegia.

SCIPA Com: outcomes from the spinal cord injury and physical activity in the community intervention.

Study Design: Quasi-experimental translational study with pre- and post-measures.

Objectives: To determine the effects of the Spinal Cord Injury and Physical Activity in the Community (SCIPA Com) intervention on leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and associated outcomes among participants with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting: Young Men's Christian Associations and community fitness centers, Australia and New Zealand.

Hyperbaric oxygen for patients with chronic bowel dysfunction after pelvic radiotherapy (HOT2): a randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled phase 3 trial.

Background: Hyperbaric oxygen has been used as a therapy for patients experiencing chronic intestinal syndromes after pelvic radiotherapy for decades, yet the evidence to support the use of this therapy is based almost exclusively on non-randomised studies. We aimed to provide conclusive results for the clinical benefits of hyperbaric oxygen in patients with chronic bowel dysfunction after radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies.

Methods: HOT2 was a double-blind, sham-controlled, phase 3 randomised study of patients (≥18 years) with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms for 12 months or more after radiotherapy and which persisted despite at least 3 months of optimal medical therapy and no evidence of cancer recurrence.

Impact of Adapted Sports Activities on the Progression of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Subjects With Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective: To determine whether regular performance of adapted sports is associated with long-term changes in carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Robotic Rehabilitator of the Rodent Upper Extremity: A System and Method for Assessing and Training Forelimb Force Production after Neurological Injury.

Rodent models of spinal cord injury are critical for the development of treatments for upper limb motor impairment in humans, but there are few methods for measuring forelimb strength of rodents, an important outcome measure. We developed a novel robotic device--the Robotic Rehabilitator of the Rodent Upper Extremity (RUE)--that requires rats to voluntarily reach for and pull a bar to retrieve a food reward; the resistance of the bar can be programmed. We used RUE to train forelimb strength of 16 rats three times per week for 23 weeks before and 38 weeks after a mild (100 kdyne) unilateral contusion at the cervical level 5 (C5).

Exoskeletons' design and usefulness evidence according to a systematic review of lower limb exoskeletons used for functional mobility by people with spinal cord injury.

Purpose: Rehabilitation professionals have little information concerning lower limb exoskeletons for people with paraplegia. This study has four objectives: (1) Outline the characteristics of the exoskeletons' design and their usefulness evidence as assistive mobility devices in the community for the Rewalk™, Mina, Indego®, Ekso™ (previously known as the eLEGS™) and Rex®; (2) document functional mobility outcomes of using these exoskeletons; (3) document secondary skills and benefits achieved with these exoskeletons, safety, user satisfaction and applicability in the community; and (4) establish level of scientific evidence of the selected studies.

Method: A systematic review of the literature (January 2004 to April 2014) was done using the databases PubMed, CINAHL and Embase and groups of keywords associated with "exoskeleton", "lower limb" and "paraplegia".

Effects of a 6-Week Indoor Hand-Bike Exercise Program on Health and Fitness Levels in People With Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study.

Objective: To investigate the effects of a 6-week indoor hand-bike exercise program on fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels and physical fitness in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: National rehabilitation center (outpatient).

The Deformity Angular Ratio: Does It Correlate With High-Risk Cases for Potential Spinal Cord Monitoring Alerts in Pediatric 3-Column Thoracic Spinal Deformity Corrective Surgery?

Study Design: A retrospective analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the deformity angular ratio (DAR) can reliably assess the neurological risks of patients undergoing deformity correction.

Summary Of Background Data: Identifying high-risk patients and procedures can help ensure that appropriate measures are taken to minimize neurological complications during spinal deformity corrections.

Compare serum creatinine versus Renal Tc-DTPA scan determined glomerular filtration rates in veterans with traumatic spinal cord injury and meurogenic bladder.

Objective: This observational study: (a) compared serum creatinine (estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR)) to renal isotope Tc-DTPA (GFR) determined glomerular filtration rate, and evaluated whether either method (b) better determined the state of renal function, and (c) predict urinary tract infection (UTI), renal and urological structural lesions or mortality in veterans with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and neurogenic bladder (NGB).

Design: Observational study.

Setting: VA Medical Center affiliated with Oklahoma University.

Following the Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults With Spinal Cord Injury for 16 Weeks Does Not Improve Vascular Health: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of following the physical activity guidelines (PAG) for adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) for 16 weeks.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Community exercise program.

Erratum.

Unlabelled: In the article The use of gaming technology for rehabilitation in people with multiple sclerosis, DOI: 10.1177/1352458514563593, published in Multiple Sclerosis Volume 21 Issue 4, Table 1 was printed incorrectly. The corrected Table 1 is below:spmsj;22/12/NP9/TABLE11352458515585718T1table1-1352458515585718Table 1.

Right care, right time, right place: improving outcomes for people with spinal cord injury through early access to intervention and improved access to specialised care: study protocol.

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury is a devastating condition impacting adversely on the health and wellbeing, functioning and independence, social participation and quality of life of the injured person. In Australia, there are approximately 15 new cases per million population per year; economic burden estimates suggest 2 billion dollars annually. For optimal patient outcomes expert consensus recommends expeditious transfer ("<24 hours of injury") to a specialist Spinal Cord Injury Unit, where there is an interdisciplinary team equipped to provide comprehensive care for the many and complex issues associated with traumatic spinal cord injury.

Increased total serum random cortisol levels predict mortality in critically ill trauma patients.

Dysfunction in the hypothalamopituitary adrenal axis is thought to exist; however, there continues to be controversy about what level of serum cortisol corresponds to adrenal insufficiency. Few studies have focused on the significance of serum random cortisol in the critically ill trauma patient. Trauma patients with total serum random cortisol levels drawn in the intensive care unit within the first seven days of hospitalization were retrospectively reviewed.