scholarly journals Arm Activity Measure (ArmA): Psychometric Evaluation of the Swedish Version

Author(s):  
Therese Ramström ◽  
Lina Bunketorp-Käll ◽  
Johanna Wangdell

Abstract Spasticity after an injury to the central nervous system (CNS) can cause profound disability (1). The prevalence of spasticity differs among various diagnoses, depending on how it is defined. Spasticity is reported to be present in 80% of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) (2, 3), 60% of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) (4), and 30% of patients with stroke (5, 6). The consequences of spasticity in the upper limb (UL) range from reduced grip control to a clenched fist and can prevent prehension and grasp, which are critical for independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) (7). Left untreated, spasticity can lead to severe contractures, deformity, pain, and involuntary movement and severely compromise occupational performance [3, 9-11]. Since being active is fundamentally important for all living beings, and participation in activities is necessary for human physical and mental wellbeing (8), disabling UL spasticity can have devastating consequences.

Author(s):  
Semeleva E.V. ◽  
Blinova E.V. ◽  
Zaborovsky A.V. ◽  
Vasilkina O.V. ◽  
Shukurov A.S.

In this work, we studied the pharmacological activity of zinc and magnesium salts of 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid in white non-linear male rats with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which was modeled by neurotoxicantsimplication into the pelvic part of spinal cord. After the reproduction of the pathology in animals, the indices of motor activity were recorded in the Rotarod test, and morphological studies of spinal cord sections stained according to Nisl in the Belshovsky modification were carried out. It was shown that the magnesium salt of 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (compound LHT-317) to a greater extent reduces the development of motor disorders in experimental animals compared with the control group on the 4th day of observation. The course of intravenous administration of the studied compounds of 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid did not inhibit morphological changes in the spinal cord that develop in degenerative-dystrophic pathology of the central nervous system: connections. Moreover, if, against the background of treatment with zinc salt, the total area of motor zones in animals of the experimental group exceeded that of control rats, then the number of motoneurons did not differ from the control.


Author(s):  
Gabriel Guízar Sahagún

Besides the well-known loss of motor and sensory capabilities, people with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience a broad range of systemic and metabolic abnormalities including, among others, dysfunction of cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, and endocrine systems. These alterations are a significant challenge for patients with SCI because such disorders severely interfere with their daily living and can be potentially life-threatening. Most of these disorders are associated with impairment of regulation of the autonomic nervous system, arising from disruption of connections between higher brain centers and the spinal cord caudal to the injured zone. Thus, the higher and more complete the lesion, the greater the autonomic dysfunction and the severity of complications.This article summarizes the medical scientific literature on key systemic and metabolic alterations derived of SCI. It provides information primarily focused on the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of these disorders, as well as some guides to prevent and alleviate such complications. Due to the impact of these alterations, this topic must be a priority and diffuse to those involved with the care of people with SCI, including the patient himself/herself. We consider that any collaborative effort should be supported, like the development of international standards, to evaluate autonomic function after SCI, as well as the development of novel therapeutic approaches.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (34) ◽  
pp. 5790-5828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ze Wang ◽  
Chunyang He ◽  
Jing-Shan Shi

Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system. Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) are the common neurodegenerative diseases, which typically occur in people over the age of 60. With the rapid development of an aged society, over 60 million people worldwide are suffering from these uncurable diseases. Therefore, the search for new drugs and therapeutic methods has become an increasingly important research topic. Natural products especially those from the Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs), are the most important sources of drugs, and have received extensive interest among pharmacist. In this review, in order to facilitate further chemical modification of those useful natural products by pharmacists, we will bring together recent studies in single natural compound from TCMs with neuroprotective effect.


2020 ◽  
pp. 030802262097951
Author(s):  
Lizette Norin ◽  
Björn Slaug ◽  
Maria Haak ◽  
Susanne Iwarsson

Introduction Adults with spinal cord injuries are living longer than previously, and a majority are living in ordinary housing in the community. Housing accessibility is important for maintaining independent occupational performance for this population, but knowledge in this area is insufficient. We investigated housing adaptations and current accessibility problems among older adults with long-standing (>10 years) spinal cord injuries. Method Data from home visits among 122 older adults with spinal cord injuries in Sweden were used. Housing adaptations and environmental barriers were descriptively analysed. Findings Kitchens, entrances, and hygiene areas were common locations for housing adaptations and environmental barriers that generated accessibility problems. The most common adaptations were ramps, wheelchair-accessible stovetops, and ceiling-lifts. Wall-mounted cupboards and high shelves (kitchen), inaccessible storage areas (outside the dwelling), and a lack of grab bars (hygiene area) generated the most accessibility problems. Conclusion Despite housing adaptations, there are considerable accessibility problems in the dwellings of older adults with long-standing spinal cord injuries in Sweden, indicating that long-term follow-up of the housing situation of this population is necessary. Focusing on accessible housing as a prerequisite for occupational performance is at the core of occupational therapy, deserving attention on the individual as well as the societal level.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Alicea ◽  
Michele Xiloyannis ◽  
Domenico Chiaradia ◽  
Michele Barsotti ◽  
Antonio Frisoli ◽  
...  

Abstract This paper presents a soft, tendon-driven, robotic glove designed to augment grasp capability and provide rehabilitation assistance for postspinal cord injury patients. The basis of the design is an underactuation approach utilizing postural synergies of the hand to support a large variety of grasps with a single actuator. The glove is lightweight, easy to don, and generates sufficient hand closing force to assist with activities of daily living. Device efficiency was examined through a characterization of the power transmission elements, and output force production was observed to be linear in both cylindrical and pinch grasp configurations. We further show that, as a result of the synergy-inspired actuation strategy, the glove only slightly alters the distribution of forces across the fingers, compared to a natural, unassisted grasping pattern. Finally, a preliminary case study was conducted using a participant suffering from an incomplete spinal cord injury (C7). It was found that through the use of the glove, the participant was able to achieve a 50% performance improvement (from four to six blocks) in a standard Box and Block test.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 613
Author(s):  
Katerina Stepankova ◽  
Pavla Jendelova ◽  
Lucia Machova Urdzikova

The spinal cord injury (SCI) is a medical and life-disrupting condition with devastating consequences for the physical, social, and professional welfare of patients, and there is no adequate treatment for it. At the same time, gene therapy has been studied as a promising approach for the treatment of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders by delivering remedial genes to the central nervous system (CNS), of which the spinal cord is a part. For gene therapy, multiple vectors have been introduced, including integrating lentiviral vectors and non-integrating adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. AAV vectors are a promising system for transgene delivery into the CNS due to their safety profile as well as long-term gene expression. Gene therapy mediated by AAV vectors shows potential for treating SCI by delivering certain genetic information to specific cell types. This review has focused on a potential treatment of SCI by gene therapy using AAV vectors.


2018 ◽  
Vol 205 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 372-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Zuidema ◽  
Ryan J. Gilbert ◽  
Manoj K. Gottipati

Over several decades, biomaterial scientists have developed materials to spur axonal regeneration and limit secondary injury and tested these materials within preclinical animal models. Rarely, though, are astrocytes examined comprehensively when biomaterials are placed into the injury site. Astrocytes support neuronal function in the central nervous system. Following an injury, astrocytes undergo reactive gliosis and create a glial scar. The astrocytic glial scar forms a dense barrier which restricts the extension of regenerating axons through the injury site. However, there are several beneficial effects of the glial scar, including helping to reform the blood-brain barrier, limiting the extent of secondary injury, and supporting the health of regenerating axons near the injury site. This review provides a brief introduction to the role of astrocytes in the spinal cord, discusses astrocyte phenotypic changes that occur following injury, and highlights studies that explored astrocyte changes in response to biomaterials tested within in vitro or in vivo environments. Overall, we suggest that in order to improve biomaterial designs for spinal cord injury applications, investigators should more thoroughly consider the astrocyte response to such designs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Hatefi ◽  
AmirHosein Meisami ◽  
Alalleh Dalvand ◽  
Milad Borji

Background: Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are a variety of chronic diseases that various causes such as trauma may contribute to its onset. One of the problems in these patients is the problem of physical activity and, consequently, daily activities. Objectives: This study aimed to assess daily living of patients with SCI. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study in 2019, 120 patients with SCI in Kermanshah were included in the study using purposive sampling. The instruments used in this study fell into two parts. One part included the demographic characteristics of the SCI patients, and the other part was a questionnaire of the rate of the Impact on Participation and Autonomy questionnaire (IPA-P). Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16 using descriptive tests such as mean and standard deviation. Results: The result showed there was a significant relationship between demographic characteristics such as education (P < 0.007), time of spinal cord injury (P < 0.01), and income (P = 0.000). Also, the results showed there was a relationship between Autonomy and Participation, and the age of patients and their autonomy and participation decreased with age (P = 0.000, R = 0.72). Most of the patients had severe problems with daily activities. Also, most patients had very poor scores in relation to daily living activities. Conclusions: Considering the low rate of participation and autonomy in patients with SCI, it is suggested to conduct studies aimed at improving their self-care and social participation.


2006 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Fernando Guedes-Corrêa ◽  
Ricardo Caratta Macedo ◽  
Rafael Pereira Vaitsman ◽  
Jorge Gomes de Mattos ◽  
Jovita Marques Agra

Cysticercosis is an endemic condition in many developing countries. Although it is the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system, cysticercal involvement of the spinal cord is rare. It may occur as intradural extramedullary, intramedullary, intramedullary associated with intradural-extramedullary or as the vertebral presentation. We report the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with low back pain of acute onset and no other symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an intramedullary cyst of the conus medullaris region which, at pathological examination, was diagnosed as a cysticercal cyst. She refused anticysticercal agents and steroids postoperatively. After an eight-year follow-up, the patient performs the activities of her daily living with no difficulties, and annual spinal MRIs show no residual signs of the disease. Clinical, pathofisiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of spinal cord intramedullary cysticercosis are discussed.


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