scholarly journals Incidence and Factors Associated With Falls in Independent Ambulatory Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury: A 6-Month Prospective Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (8) ◽  
pp. 1061-1072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sirisuda Phonthee ◽  
Jiamjit Saengsuwan ◽  
Wantana Siritaratiwat ◽  
Sugalya Amatachaya
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Functional Ability ◽  
Spinal Injury ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Risk Of Falls

BackgroundSensorimotor impairments following spinal cord injury (SCI) affect mobility and subsequently increase the risk of falls to patients. However, most of the fall data for these patients were retrospectively gathered.ObjectivesThis study prospectively assessed falls and intrinsic factors associated with falls in 89 independent ambulatory individuals with SCI over the course of 6 months. In addition, functional ability between participants who did and did not fall was compared.MethodsParticipants were interviewed and assessed for their baseline data and functional ability using the Timed “Up & Go” Test and the Six-Minute Walk Test. Then they were interviewed by telephone to complete a self-report questionnaire once per week to gather fall data for 6 months. A stepwise multiple logistic regression was utilized to determine the effects of demographics and SCI characteristics on occurrence of falls. The functional data between participants who fell and those who did not fall were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.ResultsThirty-five participants (39%) experienced at least 1 fall during 6 months (range=1–11). Two participants required medical attention due to patellar and sternum fractures after falling. Participants with an educational level of high school graduate or greater, an American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale C (AIS-C) classification, and a fear of falling (FOF) significantly increased their risk of falls approximately 4 times more than those who graduated primary education, had an AIS-D classification, and did not have FOF. Moreover, the functional abilities of participants who fell were significantly poorer than those who did not fall.LimitationsThe sample size was calculated based on the primary objective (incidence of falls), which may not be sufficient to clearly indicate factors associated with falls for the participants.ConclusionsMore than one third of the independent ambulatory participants with SCI experienced at least 1 fall during the 6-month period of the study. The findings suggest the importance of functional improvement on the reduction of fall risk in these individuals.

scholarly journals Changes of Functional Ability in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury With and Without Falls During 6 Months After Discharge

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 675-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jirabhorn Wannapakhe ◽  
Preeda Arayawichanon ◽  
Jiamjit Saengsuwan ◽  
Sugalya Amatachaya
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Functional Ability ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
Walk Test ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Risk Of Falls

Background Ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) encounter a high risk of falls. However, most of the fall data in the literature were subjectively reported, without evidence to confirm the functional ability of those with and without falls. Objectives The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate changes in functional ability relating to falls in participants with SCI who fell and those who did not fall during the 6-month period after discharge. Design A 6-month prospective design was used in the study. Method Fifty independent ambulatory participants with SCI were assessed for their functional ability using the Timed “Up & Go” Test, 10-Meter Walk Test, Berg Balance Scale, and Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) prior to discharge and 6 months afterward. After discharge, the participants' fall data were monitored monthly to categorize them into faller (≥1 fall in 6 months) and nonfaller (no fall) groups. Results Twenty-seven participants (54%) fell, and their baseline functional abilities were obviously lower than those who did not fall. After 6 months, the functional ability of these participants showed significant improvement for every test, whereas those who did not fall demonstrated a significant improvement only for the 6MWT. After adjusting for the baseline data, the functional ability at 6 months showed no significant differences between the groups. Limitations The study did not monitor physical activities of the participants during the follow-up period. The findings on fear of falling were subjectively reported by the participants. Conclusions Participants with SCI are commonly characterized as being active and enthusiastic, which may drive their physical activities. However, sensorimotor impairments following SCI hinder their ability to move safely, particularly in those with more functional deterioration. Therefore, greater functional improvement is accompanied by a higher risk of falls. Because falls can induce serious consequences, rehabilitation professionals may need to seek strategies to improve safety issues during movement for these patients, particularly in their own environments.

scholarly journals Functional independence in the Finnish spinal cord injury population

Spinal Cord ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsi Majamäki ◽  
Susanna Tallqvist ◽  
Aki Vainionpää ◽  
Eerika Koskinen ◽  
Anna-Maija Kauppila ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Functional Ability ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Ability Group ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Cord Injury

Abstract Study design A cross-sectional survey of the Finnish population with spinal cord injury (FinSCI database). Objectives To describe the functional independence of the population with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Finland and to identify how generic and lesion characteristics affect their functional independence. Setting The participants were recruited from the registers of three SCI outpatient clinics responsible for lifelong follow-up and care for people with SCI in Finland. Methods The data were retrieved from FinSCI (n = 1772). The response rate was 50% (n = 884). The Spinal Cord Independence Measure-Self Report (SCIM-SR) was used. The data were analyzed with univariate testing, factor analyses, and multiple linear regression models. Results The median (percentiles 25; 75) SCIM-SR total score was 76.0 (58.8; 89.0), and the score was 18.0 (13.0; 20:0) for the self-care sub-scale, 33.0 (25.0; 39.0) for the respiration and sphincter management sub-scale and 29.0 (16.0; 36.8) for the mobility sub-scale. The higher the neurological level in groups AIS A, B, and C, the lower the functional ability. Group AIS D at any injury level had the highest level of functional ability. Age and the number of years since injury negatively influenced the SCIM-SR scores for every sub-scale. Conclusion Based on the International Spinal Cord Injury Core Data Set, the severity of SCI can differentiate persons with SCI according to their functional ability. The results suggest that SCI affects individuals’ health more than ageing alone does, thereby reducing the functional ability and independence of persons with SCI over time.

Rehabilitation of the canine patient following spinal cord injury: a practical guide

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Cheryl Corral
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Spinal Injury ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Practical Guide ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Physical Therapies

This article forms part of a series exploring the rehabilitation of the canine shoulder, elbow, back, hip and stifle following injury or disease. Discussed here are different rehabilitation techniques used to address neurological deficits, pain and weakness following spinal injury, including physical therapies, electrotherapies and acupuncture.

Resilient Coping Types in People With Spinal Cord Injury: Latent Class Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 003435522199073
Author(s):  
Chungyi Chiu ◽  
Jessica Brooks ◽  
Alicia Jones ◽  
Kortney Wilcher ◽  
Sa Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Class Analysis ◽  
Multivariate Tests ◽  
Cord Injury

Resilience is central to living well with a spinal cord injury (SCI). To provide a timely, targeted, and individualized intervention supporting resilience, it is necessary to assess an individual’s resilience level and characteristics of resilience on an ongoing basis. We aimed to validate the different types of resilient coping among people with SCI (PwSCI), using the Connor–Davidson resilience scale, and to identify the relationships between resilience and other psychosocial factors among the types of resilient coping. We recruited 93 PwSCI, who took the self-report measures of resilience, depression, life satisfaction, and spirituality. Using latent class analysis, we found three types: (a) goal-pursuing, bouncing-back, and persevering, named GP; (b) uncertainty about coping with setbacks, named UC; and (c) loss of resilient coping, named LOSS. The multivariate tests indicated that the three types differed on a linear combination of resilience, depression, and life satisfaction, with a large effect size. We discussed the three types of resilient coping and the implications for psychosocial interventions. We also recommended that rehabilitation clinicians examine PwSCI’s resilience levels and types of resilience during initial and follow-up visits. In doing so, PwSCI will have timely, targeted supports for developing and/or re-building their resilience.

Influence of severity and level of injury on the occurrence of complications during the subacute and chronic stage of traumatic spinal cord injury: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Charlotte Y. Adegeest ◽  
Jort A. N. van Gent ◽  
Janneke M. Stolwijk-Swüste ◽  
Marcel W. M. Post ◽  
William P. Vandertop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Spinal Injury ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Autonomic Dysreflexia ◽  
Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Chronic Stage ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Meta Analyses

OBJECTIVE Secondary health conditions (SHCs) are long-term complications that frequently occur due to traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) and can negatively affect quality of life in this patient population. This study provides an overview of the associations between the severity and level of injury and the occurrence of SHCs in tSCI. METHODS A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Embase that retrieved 44 studies on the influence of severity and/or level of injury on the occurrence of SHCs in the subacute and chronic phase of tSCI (from 3 months after trauma). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. RESULTS In the majority of studies, patients with motor-complete tSCI (American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] Impairment Scale [AIS] grade A or B) had a significantly increased occurrence of SHCs in comparison to patients with motor-incomplete tSCI (AIS grade C or D), such as respiratory and urogenital complications, musculoskeletal disorders, pressure ulcers, and autonomic dysreflexia. In contrast, an increased prevalence of pain was seen in patients with motor-incomplete injuries. In addition, higher rates of pulmonary infections, spasticity, and autonomic dysreflexia were observed in patients with tetraplegia. Patients with paraplegia more commonly suffered from hypertension, venous thromboembolism, and pain. CONCLUSIONS This review suggests that patients with a motor-complete tSCI have an increased risk of developing SHCs during the subacute and chronic stage of tSCI in comparison with patients with motor-incomplete tSCI. Future studies should examine whether systematic monitoring during rehabilitation and the subacute and chronic phase in patients with motor-complete tSCI could lead to early detection and potential prevention of SHCs in this population.

Poster 29 Is Self-Report of Co-Morbid Traumatic Brain Injury Valid in People with Recent Spinal Cord Injury?

PM&R ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. S101-S101
Author(s):  
Debbie Tan ◽  
Jeanne M. Hoffman ◽  
Darren C. Lee ◽  
Charles Bombardier
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cord Injury
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document