Long term outcome of functional independence and quality of life after traumatic SCI in Germany

Abstract Study design Multicenter observational study. Objective To describe the long-term outcome of functional independence and quality of life (QoL) for individuals with traumatic and ischemic SCI beyond the first year after injury. Setting A multicenter study in Germany. Methods Participants of the European multicenter study about spinal cord injury (EMSCI) of three German SCI centers were included and followed over time by the German spinal cord injury cohort study (GerSCI). Individuals’ most recent spinal cord independence measure (SCIM) scores assessed by a clinician were followed up by a self-report (SCIM-SR) and correlated to selected items of the WHO short survey of quality of life (WHO-QoL-BREF). Results Data for 359 individuals were obtained. The average time passed the last clinical SCIM examination was 81.47 (SD 51.70) months. In total, 187 of the 359 received questionnaires contained a completely evaluable SCIM-SR. SCIM scores remained stable with the exception of reported management of bladder and bowel resulting in a slight decrease of SCIM-SR of −2.45 points (SD 16.81). SCIM-SR scores showed a significant correlation with the selected items of the WHO-QoL-BREF (p < 0.01) with moderate to strong influence. Conclusion SCIM score stability over time suggests a successful transfer of acquired independence skills obtained during primary rehabilitation into the community setting paralleled by positively related QoL measurements but bladder and bowel management may need special attention.

Download Full-text

TEleRehabilitation Nepal (TERN) to improve quality of life of people with spinal cord injury and acquired brain injury. A proof-of-concept study.

10.1101/2021.06.21.21257001 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Raju Dhakal ◽

Mandira Baniya ◽

Rosie M Solomon ◽

Chanda Rana ◽

Prajwal Ghimire ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Acquired Brain Injury ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Long Term Follow Up

Background: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) lead to unemployment, poverty, increased mortality and decreased quality of life in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Telemedicine is increasingly facilitating access to healthcare, in LMICs. This prospective cohort intervention study aims to investigate feasibility and acceptability of telerehabilitation to provide long-term follow-up of individuals with SCI and ABI, in Nepal, post-discharge from hospital. Methods: TERN was delivered by Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Centre, Nepal, in collaboration with University of Leeds, UK. A home visit connected participants to the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), through a specialised video conference system. The MDT performed a comprehensive assessment before recommending personalised interventions. Outcome measures assessed functional independence in performing activities of daily living, health-related quality of life and emotional disturbances using Modified Barthel Index, EuroQoL-5D, and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale, respectively. A subset of participants was interviewed, exploring acceptability of telerehabilitation. Findings: Between January and December 2020, 97 participants with SCI (n = 82) and ABI (n = 15) were enrolled. After receiving telerehabilitation, significant improvement to self-reported functional independence (p<.001) and quality of life were found, (p<.001). Self-reported severity of depression, anxiety and stress significantly decreased (p<.001). Qualitative interviews (n = 18) revealed participants accepted telerehabilitation, they valued regular contact with professionals without costly, difficult travel. Interpretation: This is the first study to test telerehabilitation in Nepal. This approach can be safely delivered for long-term follow-up for individuals with SCI or ABI, overcoming geographical barriers to healthcare access. A larger-scale controlled study is required to further explore clinical and cost-effectiveness.

Download Full-text

Circulating neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio at admission predicts the long-term outcome in acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury patients

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-020-03556-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jian-Lan Zhao ◽

Song-Tao Lai ◽

Zhuo-Ying Du ◽

Jian Xu ◽

Yi-Rui Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Cervical Spinal Cord ◽

Cervical Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Neutrophil To Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Term Outcome ◽

Long Term Outcome ◽

Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Cord Injury

Download Full-text

Duration of disability, functional independence, coping styles and the quality of life in patients with spinal cord injury – Pilot study

The European Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.ejpsy.2017.09.004 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 36-43

Author(s):

K. Nowakowska-Domagała ◽

T. Pietras ◽

K. Jabłkowska-Górecka ◽

P. Stecz

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Coping Styles ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Cord Injury

Download Full-text

Physical Activity, Quality of Life, and Functional Autonomy of Adults With Spinal Cord Injuries

Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly ◽

10.1123/apaq.30.4.317 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 317-337 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Camilla Yuri Kawanishi ◽

Márcia Greguol

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Spinal Cord Injuries ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Functional Autonomy ◽

Using Data

This study aimed to perform a systematic review of studies that address the influence of physical activity on the quality of life and functional independence of adult individuals with spinal cord injury. The review was performed using data obtained from the MEDLINE, CINAHL, SciELO, LILACS, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Academic Search Premier, and PEDro databases using the following keywords: quality of life; functional independence; autonomy; independence; physical activity; activities of daily living; physical exercise; tetraplegia; paraplegia; spinal cord injury; physical disabilities; and wheelchair. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Although there was a lack of consensus among the selected studies, the majority of them presented a strong correlation between physical activity and variables of quality of life and/or functional independence. Thus, physical activity appears to have an important influence on social relationships, functional independence, psychological factors, and physical aspects, which can enhance quality of life and independence in the performance of daily activities.

Download Full-text

Long-term neurological conditions

Oxford Handbook of Neuroscience Nursing ◽

10.1093/med/9780198831570.003.0008 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 175-278

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Sudden Onset ◽

Motor Neurone ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Neurological Conditions

There are several hundred neurological conditions, some more commonly occurring than others. NHS England categorizes them into sudden-onset conditions resulting from an acquired or traumatic brain or spinal cord injury; progressive deteriorating conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and motor neurone disease; and other conditions that might have a more fluctuating pathway such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis. Most of these conditions result in varying degrees of disability that demand considerable personal and NHS resources to improve independence and the quality of life for these people.

Download Full-text

Changes in health-related quality of life among older adults aging with long-term spinal cord injury

Spinal Cord ◽

10.1038/s41393-020-00579-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sophie Jörgensen ◽

Maria Valentina Costa Andersson ◽

Jan Lexell

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Abstract Study design Cross-sectional and longitudinal. Objectives To (i) describe health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and changes over 6 years in older adults aging with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) and (ii) investigate how changes in HRQoL are associated with age, gender, and injury characteristics. Setting Community in southern Sweden. Methods From the initial 123 participants (years 2011–2012) in the Swedish Aging with Spinal Cord Injury Study (SASCIS), 77 individuals (32% women, C1-L3, AIS A–D, median age 66 years, median time since injury 31 years, 30% complete injuries) were assessed 6 years later. HRQoL was rated with the Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life Questionnaire (SCI QL-23). Associations were investigated using multivariable linear regression analyses. Results The median rating of global QoL (scale range 0–100) was relatively high at both assessments (67 and 83, respectively). There was a large variability in all HRQoL-domains and no significant changes over 6 years. As compared to an AIS D injury, a tetraplegia AIS A–C injury and tetraplegia and paraplegia AIS A–C injuries were associated with positive change in depressive symptoms and global QoL, respectively. Conclusions Older adults aging with long-term SCI show large variations in all HRQoL-domains and have the potential to maintain a high and stable level of HRQoL over time. Persons with AIS D injuries may need increased attention to mitigate negative changes in depressive symptoms and global QoL. Further studies are needed to identify modifiable factors associated with changes in HRQoL in older adults aging with long-term SCI.

Download Full-text