Relationship of occupational therapy inpatient rehabilitation interventions and patient characteristics to outcomes following spinal cord injury: The SCIRehab Project

Background/objective

Describe associations of occupational therapy (OT) interventions delivered during inpatient spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation and patient characteristics with outcomes at the time of discharge and 1-year post-injury.

Methods

Occupational therapists at six inpatient rehabilitation centers documented detailed information about treatment provided. Least squares regression modeling was used to predict outcomes at discharge and 1-year injury anniversary for a 75% subset; models were validated with the remaining 25%. Functional outcomes for injury subgroups (motor complete low tetraplegia and motor complete paraplegia) also were examined.

Results

OT treatment variables explain a small amount of variation in Functional Independence Measure (FIM) outcomes for the full sample and significantly more in two functionally homogeneous subgroups. For patients with motor complete paraplegia, more time spent in clothing management and hygiene related to toileting was a strong predictor of higher scores on the lower body items of the self-care component of the discharge motor FIM. Among patients with motor complete low tetraplegia, higher scores for the FIM lower body self-care items were associated with more time spent on lower body dressing, manual wheelchair mobility training, and bathing training. Active patient participation during OT treatment sessions also was predictive of FIM and other outcomes.

Conclusion

OT treatments add to explained variance (in addition to patient characteristics) for multiple outcomes. The impact of OT treatment on functional outcomes is more evident when examining more homogeneous patient groupings and outcomes specific to the groupings.

Note

This is the third of nine articles in the SCIRehab series.     

Neurological and functional recovery after thoracic spinal cord injury

Objective

To describe neurological and functional outcomes after traumatic paraplegia.

Design

Retrospective analysis of longitudinal database.

Setting

Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems.

Participants

Six hundred sixty-one subjects enrolled in the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems database, injured between 2000 and 2011, with initial neurological level of injury from T2–12. Two hundred sixty-five subjects had second neurological exams and 400 subjects had Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores ≥6 months after injury.

Outcome Measures

American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade, sensory level (SL), lower extremity motor scores (LEMS), and FIM.

Results

At baseline, 73% of subjects were AIS A, and among them, 15.5% converted to motor incomplete. The mean SL increase for subjects with an AIS A grade was 0.33 ± 0.21; 86% remained within two levels of baseline. Subjects with low thoracic paraplegia (T10–12) demonstrated greater LEMS gain than high paraplegia (T2–9), and also had higher 1-year FIM scores, which had not been noted in earlier reports. Better FIM scores were also correlated with better AIS grades, younger age and increase in AIS grade. Ability to walk at 1 year was associated with low thoracic injury, higher initial LEMS, incomplete injury and increase in AIS grade.

Conclusion

Little neurological recovery is seen in persons with complete thoracic SCI, especially with levels above T10. Persons who are older at the time of injury have poorer functional recovery than younger persons. Conversion to a better AIS grade is associated with improvement in self-care and mobility at 1 year.     

Psychosocial outcomes among youth with spinal cord injury by neurological impairment

Objective

Examine psychosocial outcomes of youth with spinal cord injury (SCI) as a function of neurological level (paraplegia/tetraplegia) and severity (American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS)).

Design

Survey research.

Setting

Three pediatric SCI specialty centers in the USA.

Participants

Youth with SCI ages 5–18 with neurological impairment classifications of: tetraplegia AIS ABC (tetraplegia ABC), paraplegia AIS ABC (paraplegia ABC), or AIS D.

Outcome Measures

Children''s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Revised Children''s Manifest Anxiety Scale, and Children''s Depression Inventory.

Results

Three hundred and forty youth participated; 57% were male; 60% were Caucasian, 21% Hispanic, 7% African-American, 2% Native American, and 3% reported “other”. Their mean age was 8.15 years (standard deviation (SD) = 5.84) at injury and 13.18 years (SD = 3.87) at interview. Ninety-six youth (28%) had tetraplegia ABC injuries, 191 (56%) paraplegia ABC injuries, and 53 (16%) AIS D injuries. Neurological impairment was significantly related to participation and quality of life (QOL). Specifically, youth with paraplegia ABC and AIS D injuries participated in more activities than youth with tetraplegia ABC (P = 0.002; P = 0.018, respectively) and youth with paraplegia ABC participated more often than youth with tetraplegia ABC (P = 0.006). Youth with paraplegia ABC reported higher social QOL than youth with tetraplegia ABC (P = 0.001) and AIS D injuries (P = 0.002). Groups did not differ regarding mental health.

Conclusion

Interventions should target youth with tetraplegia ABC, as they may need support in terms of participation, and both youth with tetraplegia ABC and AIS D injuries in terms of social integration.     

Description of sensory preservation in children and adolescents with incomplete spinal cord injury

Background/objective

This cross-sectional, multicenter cohort study describes patterns of preserved sensation in persons with American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) B (sensory incomplete, or SI) and AIS C/D (motor incomplete, or MI).

Methods

A total of 93 subjects with incomplete spinal injuries (58 with tetraplegia and 35 with paraplegia) were included for analysis. Sensation was based on the International Standards for Neurological Classification of SCI (ISNCSCI).

Results

In the 44 subjects with AIS B (SI), some light touch (LT) was present in 35% of dermatomes below the neurological level and pin prick (PP) in 8%. In contrast, in the 49 subjects with AIS C/D (MI), LT was present in 77% of dermatomes and PP in 27%. AIS C/D (MI) subjects with tetraplegia had more dermatomes with preserved sensation than those with paraplegia. When reviewing areas at highest risk for pressure sores, only 4 of 22 (19%) of subjects with AIS B (SI)/tetraplegia had any preserved LT or PP sensation in the periscapular region (dermatomes T1–T6). In the buttocks region (S3 and S4–S5), sensation was preserved in fewer than 50% of patients with either tetraplegia or paraplegia.

Conclusions

(1) Sensory sparing below the neurologic injury was found to be surprisingly sparse in patients classified as AIS B (SI) (35% LT and 8% PP). Sparing was considerably better in patients who were AIS C/D (MI) (77% LT and 27% PP). (2) Preserved sensation in the periscapular region was very low in subjects with tetraplegia (19%) and was also low in the buttocks, with fewer than half of those classified as AIS B (SI) with either tetraplegia or paraplegia reporting sensation.     

Effect of choice of recovery patterns on handrim kinetics in manual wheelchair users with paraplegia and tetraplegia

Background

Impact forces experienced by the upper limb at the beginning of each wheelchair propulsion (WCP) cycle are among the highest forces experienced by wheelchair users.

Objective

To determine whether the magnitude of hand/forearm velocity prior to impact and effectiveness of rim impact force are dependent on the type of hand trajectory pattern chosen by the user during WCP. Avoiding patterns that inherently cause higher impact force and have lower effectiveness can be another step towards preserving upper limb function in wheelchair users.

Methods

Kinematic (50 Hz) and kinetic (2500 Hz) data were collected on 34 wheelchair users (16 with paraplegia and 18 with tetraplegia); all participants had motor complete spinal cord injuries ASIA A or B. The four-hand trajectory patterns were analyzed based on velocity prior to contact, peak impact force and the effectiveness of force at impact.

Results

A high correlation was found between the impact force and the relative velocity of the hand with respect to the wheel (P < 0.05). The wheelchair users with paraplegia were found to have higher effectiveness of force at impact as compared to the users with tetraplegia (P < 0.05). No significant differences in the impact force magnitudes were found between the four observed hand trajectory patterns.

Conclusion

The overall force effectiveness tended to be associated with the injury level of the user and was found to be independent of the hand trajectory patterns.     

Relationship of speech-language pathology inpatient rehabilitation interventions and patient characteristics to outcomes following spinal cord injury: The SCIRehab Project

Background/objective

Describe associations of patient characteristics and speech–language pathology (SLP) interventions provided during impatient rehabilitation for spinal cord injury (SCI) to outcomes at discharge and 1-year post-injury.

Methods

Speech–language pathologists at six inpatient rehabilitation centers documented details of treatment provided. Least squares regression modeling was used to predict outcomes at discharge and 1-year injury anniversary. Cognitive, participation, and mood outcomes for a subsample of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and cognitive-communication limitations (CCLs) were examined.

Results

SLP treatment factors explain a small amount of variation in cognitive Functional Independence Measure (FIM), participation, and mood. Variation explained by treatment factors for cognitive outcomes at the time of discharge increased when the patient group was more homogeneous (patients with TBI and CCLs). More time in SLP cognitive-communication interventions had a negative relationship, while longer length of stay was positive. The added explanatory power was not seen for similar outcomes at 1-year post-injury.

Conclusion

Patients with SCI who have the greatest need for interventions to address cognitive limitations due to TBI receive the most SLP cognitive-communication treatment and show the greatest amount of improvement during rehabilitation. Their cognitive functioning remained impaired at discharge; this likely accounts for the consistent finding that more hours of SLP cognitive-communication treatment is associated with lower cognitive FIM scores at discharge. Future research on individuals with dual SCI and TBI should include more comprehensive assessment of individual differences in cognitive performance in order to better examine the complex relationships between SLP treatments and outcomes.

Note

This is the fifth of nine articles in this SCIRehab series.     

Long-term outcomes of adults with pediatric-onset spinal cord injuries as a function of neurological impairment

Objective

To identify outcomes of participation, life satisfaction, and medical complications as a function of impairment in adults with pediatric-onset spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods

Study participants were adults who sustained SCI at age 18 years or younger and were interviewed at age 24 years or older (M = 26.9, SD = 3.5). The telephone interview included a questionnaire and several standardized measures: FIM^® instrument (FIM^®), Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART), SF-12^® Health Survey, and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Using the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury and the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS), subjects were grouped into four impairment categories: C1–C4 ABC, C5–C8 ABC, T1–L4 ABC, and AIS D.

Results

Of the 410 participants, 62% were male, 54% had tetraplegia, 70% had AIS A lesions, and average age at injury was 14 years (SD = 4.3). Of the 407 subjects who had complete neurological information, 59 had C1–C4 ABC, 140 had C5–C8 ABC, 168 had T1–L4 ABC, and 40 had AIS D lesions. The outcomes were delineated for education, employment, independent living and driving, marriage, participation, medical complications, health-related quality of life, and global life satisfaction, in addition to the ASIA motor score and FIM^® motor scores, for each of the four impairment groups.

Conclusions

This information should help focus interventions that facilitate positive outcomes in relationship to the severity of impairment. In addition, these data can provide a level of expectation about long-term outcomes for newly injured children and their parents.     

Motor and Gait Improvement in Patients With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury Induced by High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Objective:

To assess the effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on lower extremities motor score (LEMS) and gait in patients with motor incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI).

Method:

The prospective longitudinal randomized, double-blind study assessed 17 SCI patients ASIA D. We assessed LEMS, modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), 10-m walking test (10MWT), Walking Index for SCI (WISCI II) scale, step length, cadence, and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test at baseline, after the last of 15 daily sessions of rTMS and 2 weeks later. Patients were randomized to active rTMS or sham stimulation. Three patients from the initial group of 10 randomized to sham stimulation entered the active rTMS group after a 3-week washout period. Therefore a total of 10 patients completed each study condition. Both groups were homogeneous for age, gender, time since injury, etiology, and ASIA scale. Active rTMS consisted of 15 days of daily sessions of 20 trains of 40 pulses at 20 Hz and an intensity of 90% of resting motor threshold. rTMS was applied with a double cone coil to the leg motor area.

Results:

There was a significant improvement in LEMS in the active group (28.4 at baseline and 33.2 after stimulation; P = .004) but not in the sham group (29.6 at baseline, and 30.9 after stimulation; P = .6). The active group also showed significant improvements in the MAS, 10MWT, cadence, step length, and TUG, and these improvements were maintained 2 weeks later. Following sham stimulation, significant improvement was found only for step length and TUG. No significant changes were observed in the WISCI II scale in either group.

Conclusion:

High-frequency rTMS over the leg motor area can improve LEMS, spasticity, and gait in patients with motor incomplete SCI.     

Reproducibility and effect of posture on impulse oscillation parameters in persons with spinal cord injury

Background

The impulse oscillation system (IOS) offers significant value in the assessment of airway dynamics in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) because of minimal patient effort but measurement reproducibility in SCI is unknown.

Objective

To evaluate between-day reproducibility and the effect of posture on airway resistance [respiratory resistances at 5 Hz (R5) and 20 Hz (R20)] in subjects with tetraplegia, paraplegia and able-bodied controls.

Methods

Ten subjects with tetraplegia, 10 subjects with paraplegia and 11 able-bodied individuals were evaluated using IOS. Three 30 second trials were obtained in each while in the seated and supine position on Day 1, and repeated on Day 2.

Results

The within-day coefficient of variation (CV%) for R5 and R20 were comparable in the 3 study groups in the seated and supine positions. Compared to controls, the between-day CV% for the combined data was higher in subjects with tetraplegia and paraplegia for R5 seated, and was higher in subjects with tetraplegia for R5 supine.

Conclusions

IOS has applicability to the study of within-day respiratory resistance in SCI. However, performing longer-term studies in subjects with tetraplegia and paraplegia may be problematic because of the greater variability for R5 when compared to able-bodied individuals.     

Comparison of Respiratory Muscle Training Methods in Individuals With Motor Complete Tetraplegia

Objective:

To compare the effects of inspiratory resistance training (IRT) and isocapnic hyperpnea (IH) versus incentive spirometry (placebo) on respiratory function, voice, and quality of life in individuals with motor complete tetraplegia.

Methods:

In this randomized controlled trial, 24 individuals with traumatic, motor complete (AIS A) tetraplegia (C5-C8), 6 to 8 months post injury, were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups. They completed either 90 repetitions of IRT, 10 minutes of IH, or 16 repetitions of placebo training in 32 supervised training sessions over 8 weeks. Before and after the training period, the following tests were performed: bodyplethysmography, inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength, subjective breathing parameters using the visual analogue scale (VAS), voice measurements, and an adapted SF-12 quality of life questionnaire. A Friedman test and Cohen’s effect sizes for IRT and IH versus placebo were calculated for differences between pre- and posttraining values.

Results:

Compared to placebo training, IRT showed high effect sizes for inspiratory muscle strength (d = 1.19), VAS values of “cleaning the nose” (d = 0.99), and the physical component of subjective quality of life (d = 0.84). IH compared to placebo training showed only medium and low effect sizes. The Friedman analysis showed a significant effect for IRT versus placebo on inspiratory muscle strength (P = .030). Neither all other parameters of respiratory function nor voice measurements, subjective breathing parameters, or quality of life were significantly improved by one of the tested training methods.

Conclusion:

In individuals with motor complete tetraplegia, inspiratory muscle strength can be improved by IRT. Therefore, IRT is advantageous compared to IH for this group of patients and during the first year post injury.     

Relationship of therapeutic recreation inpatient rehabilitation interventions and patient characteristics to outcomes following spinal cord injury: The SCIRehab project

Objective

To investigate associations of therapeutic recreation (TR) interventions during inpatient rehabilitation for patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) with functional, participation, and quality of life outcomes.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, data were obtained from systematic recording of TR services by certified TR specialists, chart review, and patient interview.

Results

TR interventions, including exposure to community settings and leisure activities, add to the variance explained (in addition to the strong predictors of injury classification, admission motor Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and other patient characteristics) in outcomes at the time of rehabilitation discharge (FIM, discharge to home) and at the 1-year injury anniversary (FIM, working or being in school, residing at home, and societal participation as measured by the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART)). They also are associated with less rehospitalization and less pressure development after discharge. In addition, more time spent in specific TR activities during rehabilitation is associated with more participation in the same type of activities at the 1-year injury anniversary.

Conclusion(s)

Greater participation in TR-led leisure skill and community activities during rehabilitation is a positive predictor of multiple outcomes at rehabilitation discharge and the 1-year injury anniversary demonstrating that TR activities are associated with a return to a productive and healthy life after SCI. Further research should focus on the impact of TR on longer-term outcomes to determine whether relationships continue or change as persons continue to adapt to their life after SCI.

Note

This is the fourth of nine articles in the SCIRehab series.     

Outcomes of social work and case management services during inpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation: The SCIRehab project

Objective

To investigate associations of social work/case management (SW/CM) services during inpatient rehabilitation following spinal cord injury (SCI) and patient characteristics with outcomes.

Design

Prospective observational cohort of individuals with SCI receiving inpatient rehabilitation.

Setting

Six inpatient rehabilitation centers.

Participants

1032 individuals with traumatic SCI.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main outcome measure(s)

Type of residence at the time of rehabilitation discharge. Employment/school status, presence of a pressure ulcer, Patient History Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART) subscales, and rehospitalization at 1-year post-injury.

Results

The intensity of specific SW/CM services is associated with multiple outcomes examined. More sessions dedicated to discharge planning for a home discharge and financial planning were associated positively with more discharge to home, while more sessions focused on planning for discharge to a location other than home, e.g. nursing home or long-term acute care facilities, have negative associations with societal participation outcomes (CHART Social Integration, Occupation, and Mobility scores) as well as with residing at home at the time of the 1-year injury anniversary.

Conclusion(s)

The intensity and type of SW/CM services are associated with outcomes at rehabilitation discharge and at 1-year post-injury. Discharge to home may require assistance from SW/CM in the area of discharge planning and financial planning, while discharge to non-home residence demands directed SW/CM services for such placement.

Note

This is the eighth of nine articles of this SCIRehab series.     

Mortality in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury: descriptive analysis of 62 deceased subjects

Study design

Retrospective study.

Objective

To investigate the causes of death in patients who were ≤50 years at the time of traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI).

Setting

Convenience sample of a tertiary rehabilitation center.

Methods

All deceased patients with tSCI who survived a minimum of 10 years post-injury, were included. In addition, causes of death were compared between subjects surviving <10 years and ≥10 years. Neurological assessments were performed according to the American Spinal Injury Association scale. Data on causes of death were analyzed using the ICD-10 classifications. Differences were calculated using the Mann–Whitney and chi-square tests.

Results

A total of 100 patients, with 38 and 62 surviving <10 and ≥10 years, respectively, were included. No significant differences in causes of death were identified between these two groups. In patients surviving ≥10 years, paraplegia was associated with a higher life expectancy compared with tetraplegia, 34 and 25 years (p = 0.008), respectively, and the leading causes of death were septicemia (n = 14), ischemic heart disease (n = 10), neoplasms (n = 9), cerebrovascular diseases (n = 5), and other forms of heart diseases (n = 5). Septicemia, influenza/pneumonia, and suicide were the leading causes of death in tetraplegics, whereas ischemic heart disease, neoplasms, and septicemia were the leading causes of death in paraplegia.

Conclusion

Our monocentric study showed that in 62 deceased patients with SCI, the leading causes of death were septicemia, cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms, and cerebrovascular diseases. In addition, no significant differences were identified between causes of death among patients surviving <10 years and ≥10 years post-injury.     

Toronto Rehabilitation Institute–Hand Function Test: Assessment of Gross Motor Function in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury

Purpose:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the interrater reliability, construct validity, and sensitivity of Toronto Rehabilitation Institute–Hand Function Test (TRI-HFT), within an interventional randomized control trial.

Method:

Twenty-one participants with subacute C4 to C7 spinal cord injury (SCI) were recruited. Based on randomization, participants were allocated to either the functional electrical stimulation therapy group or the conventional occupational therapy group. Baseline and follow-up assessments of participants were videotaped. For testing interrater reliability, videotaped images were transferred to DVDs that were later observed by 2 observers. Construct validity was determined by comparing total scores on TRI-HFT to self-care subscore components of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) and FIM. To establish sensitivity of TRI-HFT, we compared pre- and posttreatment scores on all 3 measures (ie, TRI-HFT, FIM, and SCIM).

Results:

TRI-HFT was found to have high interrater reliability with an intercorrelation coefficient (ICC) of 0.98. Moderate to strong correlations were found between TRI-HFT total scores and self-care components of FIM and SCIM for both hands individually post therapy. Due to a floor effect of the FIM and SCIM, there was weak correlation between pretherapy scores of the said measures and TRI-HFT. TRI-HFT was found to be highly sensitive in determining difference in function pre and post therapy.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated that the TRI-HFT is a reliable and sensitive measure to assess unilateral hand gross motor function in persons with tetraplegia, with moderate to strong construct validity.     

Patient characteristics that affect the outcome of total hip arthroplasty: a review

Objective

To review the literature regarding patient factors pertinent to the outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Data sources

MEDLINE from 1966 onward (key words “hip prosthesis” and “treatment outcome”) and literature previously known to the authors and cited in papers from all sources.

Study selection

All identified studies were included provided the methodology permitted assessment of the effect of patient factors and a clear outcome was defined (either prosthesis survival or specific functional outcomes).

Data extraction

The patient factors, methods and outcomes described in each paper were summarized on a data extraction form.

Data synthesis

All data were reviewed by one author. This process was repeated by a second author, and the findings were reviewed by the remaining 2 authors to verify the findings. The best functional outcomes and prosthesis survival rates were reported among patients who were between 45 and 75 years of age, weighed less than 70 kg, had strong social support, had a higher educational level, had better preoperative functional status and had no comorbid disease.

Conclusion

Important research remains to be done to examine the magnitude and interaction of patient factors on the outcome of THA.     

Functional electrical stimulation as a component of activity-based restorative therapy may preserve function in persons with multiple sclerosis

Objective

To examine the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling on disability progression in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Design

Retrospective cohort, 40 participants with mean follow-up of 15 months.

Setting

International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, a rehabilitation referral center.

Participants

Forty consecutive persons with MS undergoing rehabilitation from 2007 to 2011, with at least two evaluations based on the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI).

Interventions

FES cycling as part of activity-based restorative therapy interventions.

Outcome measures

Change in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and ISNCSCI motor, light touch, and pin prick scores from baseline to latest evaluation.

Results

In 71% of patients, activity-based rehabilitation included FES cycling. There was no disability progression on the EDSS. Lower extremity motor scores improved or stabilized in 75% of patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS), 71.4% with secondary progressive MS (SPMS), and 54.5% with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS). Among patients with improved or stabilized lower extremity motor function, PPMS recorded a mean 9% improvement, SPMS 3% and RRMS 6%. In PPMS, use of FES showed trend towards improvement in motor scores (P = 0.070).

Conclusions

FES as part of activity-based rehabilitation may help preserve or improve neurological function in patients with MS.     

Relationship of patient characteristics and rehabilitation services to outcomes following spinal cord injury: The SCIRehab Project

Background/objective

To examine associations of patient characteristics along with treatment quantity delivered by seven clinical disciplines during inpatient spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation with outcomes at rehabilitation discharge and 1-year post-injury.

Methods

Six inpatient SCI rehabilitation centers enrolled 1376 patients during the 5-year SCIRehab study. Clinicians delivering standard care documented details of treatment. Outcome data were derived from SCI Model Systems Form I and II and a project-specific interview conducted at approximately 1-year post-injury. Regression modeling was used to predict outcomes; models were cross-validated by examining relative shrinkage of the original model R² using 75% of the dataset to the R² for the same outcome using a validation subsample.

Results

Patient characteristics are strong predictors of outcome; treatment duration adds slightly more predictive power. More time in physical therapy was associated positively with motor Functional Independence Measure at discharge and the 1-year anniversary, CHART Physical Independence, Social Integration, and Mobility dimensions, and smaller likelihood of rehospitalization after discharge and reporting of pressure ulcer at the interview. More time in therapeutic recreation also had multiple similar positive associations. Time spent in other disciplines had fewer and mixed relationships. Seven models validated well, two validated moderately well, and four validated poorly.

Conclusion

Patient characteristics explain a large proportion of variation in multiple outcomes after inpatient rehabilitation. The total amount of treatment received during rehabilitation from each of seven disciplines explains little additional variance. Reasons for this and the phenomenon that sometimes more hours of service predict poorer outcome, need additional study.

Note

This is the first of nine articles in the SCIRehab series.     

Therapists' Roles in Pressure Ulcer Management in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

Background:

Among veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI), severe pressure ulcers (PrU) are treated by interdisciplinary rehabilitation teams in SCI units.

Method:

Cross-sectional survey administered to therapists attending a conference of the Therapy Leadership Council in SCI.

Participants:

Respondents included physical therapists (PTs; n  =  24) and occupational therapists (OTs; n  =  15).

Main Outcome Measurements:

Wound care practices as indicated by 75% or more of participants as “usual practice.”

Results:

In general, therapist involvement with wound care was initiated by physician order (eg, electrical stimulation) or postsurgery protocols. “Usual practice” after tissue healing included progressive range of motion; initial remobilization (first sitting after wound healing); progression of sitting time including assessment of skin tolerance; instruction in pressure relief maneuvers/techniques; and instruction in safe transfers. Practices in prevention of a new ulcer included education and evaluation of seating posture/positioning.

Conclusions:

Results indicate that centers may delegate responsibilities for management of ulcers differentially by discipline. A limitation was that we were unable to determine whether these centers were the same or different for OT and PT respondents. Although sample size was small and some sites had multiple respondents, the survey showed a growing role for OTs and PTs in PrU treatment. Because 75% of each discipline reported that there were usual practices, including patient education and remobilization protocols, this area requires further study to determine the clinical outcomes in terms of preventing PrUs and recurrence.     

Factors Associated With Oral Problems Among Adults With Spinal Cord Injury

Objective:

To explore factors associated with self-reported current oral (tooth and gum) problems and oral pain in the past 12 months among adults with spinal cord injury.

Methods:

An online oral health survey on the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association website. Respondents were 192 adult residents of the US who identified themselves as having spinal cord injury at least 1 year before the survey date.

Results:

Approximately 47% of respondents reported having oral problems at the time of the survey, and 42% reported experiencing oral pain in the 12 months before the survey date. Multiple predictor analyses (controlling for age, gender, income, and dental insurance) indicated that current oral problems were positively associated with dry mouth symptoms, financial barriers to dental care access, smoking, and paraplegia. Oral pain experienced in the past 12 months was positively associated with dry mouth symptoms, financial barriers to dental care access, minority race, and paraplegia.

Conclusions:

Adults with spinal cord injury reported a high prevalence of oral problems and oral pain. Those with paraplegia were more likely to report problems than those with tetraplegia. Because dry mouth and smoking were significantly associated with these problems, patient education from both dental and medical providers should emphasize awareness of the side effects of xerostomia-causing medications, dry mouth management, and smoking cessation. Findings also indicate unmet needs for low-cost preventive and treatment dental services for this vulnerable population.