Predictors of Cardiopulmonary Hospitalization in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Waddimba AC, Jain NB, Stolzmann K, Gagnon DR, Burgess JF, Kazis LE, Garshick E. Predictors of cardiopulmonary hospitalization in chronic spinal cord injury.

Objective

To investigate longitudinal risk factors of hospitalization for circulatory and pulmonary diseases among veterans with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Circulatory and respiratory system illnesses are leading causes of death in patients with chronic SCI, yet risk factors for related hospitalizations have not been characterized.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts.

Participants/Data Sources

Veterans (N=309) greater than or equal to 1 year post-SCI from the VA Boston Chronic SCI cohort who completed a health questionnaire and underwent spirometry at study entry. Baseline data were linked to 1996 through 2003 hospitalization records from the VA National Patient Care Database.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Cardiopulmonary hospital admissions, the predictors of which were assessed by multivariate Cox regression.

Results

Of 1478 admissions observed, 143 were a result of cardiopulmonary (77 circulatory and 66 respiratory) illnesses. Independent predictors were greater age (3% increase/y), hypertension, and the lowest body mass index quintile (<22.4kg/m²). A greater percentage-predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second was associated with reduced risk. SCI level and completeness of injury were not statistically significant after adjusting for these risk factors.

Conclusions

Cardiopulmonary hospitalization risk in persons with chronic SCI is related to greater age and medical factors that, if recognized, may result in strategies for reducing future hospitalizations.     

Shoulder ultrasound abnormalities, physical examination findings, and pain in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury

Brose SW, Boninger ML, Fullerton B, McCann T, Collinger JL, Impink BG, Dyson-Hudson TA. Shoulder ultrasound abnormalities, physical examination findings, and pain in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.

Objectives

To investigate the presence of ultrasound (US) abnormalities in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) using a quantitative Ultrasound Shoulder Pathology Rating Scale (USPRS). To investigate physical examination (PE) findings using a quantitative Physical Examination of the Shoulder Scale (PESS), and to obtain data about pain and other subject characteristics such as age, years with SCI, and weight.

Design

Case series.

Setting

National Veterans' Wheelchair Games 2005 and 2006.

Participants

Volunteer sample of manual wheelchair users with SCI participating in the National Veterans' Wheelchair Games.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Presence of relationships between US findings, PE findings, pain, and subject characteristics.

Results

The USPRS correlated with age, duration of SCI, and weight (all P<.01), and showed a positive trend with the total Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI) score (r=.258, P=.073). Several US findings related to presence of PE findings for specific structures. The PESS score correlated with the WUSPI (r=.679, P<.001) and duration of SCI (P<.05). The presence of untreated shoulder pain that curtailed activity was noted in 24.5% of subjects, and this was related to increased WUSPI scores (P=.002).

Conclusions

PE and US abnormalities are common in manual wheelchair users with SCI. The USPRS and PESS demonstrated evidence for external validity and hold promise as research tools. Untreated shoulder pain is common in manual wheelchair users with SCI, and further investigation of this pain is indicated.     

A Comparison of Functional Electrical and Magnetic Stimulation for Propelled Cycling of Paretic Patients

Szecsi J, Schiller M, Straube A, Gerling D. A comparison of functional electrical and magnetic stimulation for propelled cycling of paretic patients.

Objective

To compare isometric torque and cycling power, smoothness and symmetry using repetitive functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) in patients with paretic legs with preserved sensibility and in patients without sensibility.

Design

Repeated-measures design.

Setting

Laboratory setting.

Participants

Eleven subjects with complete spinal cord injury (SCI) and 29 subjects with chronic hemiparesis (16.6±5.5mo poststroke) volunteered.

Interventions

Using a tricycle testbed, participants were exposed to isometric measurements and ergometric cycling experiments, performed during both 20Hz FMS and FES stimulation. Subjects with hemiparesis and with complete SCI were stimulated at maximally tolerable level and maximal intensity, respectively.

Main Outcome Measures

Maximal isometric pedaling torque and mean ergometric power, smoothness, and symmetry were recorded for voluntary, FES, and FMS conditions.

Results

Two different patterns of the efficacy of FMS were identified. (1) Patients with complete SCI did not benefit (less torque and power was evoked with FMS than with FES, P<.003 and 10⁻⁴ respectively). (2) Patients with hemiplegia and preserved sensibility could improve their torque output (P<.05), smoothness, and symmetry of pedaling (P<.05) with FMS more than with FES.

Conclusions

FMS is a potential alternative to surface FES of the large thigh musculature in stimulation-supported cycling of patients with partially or completely preserved sensibility.     

A Multivariate Examination of Temporal Changes in Berg Balance Scale Items for Patients With ASIA Impairment Scale C and D Spinal Cord Injuries

Datta S, Lorenz DJ, Morrison S, Ardolino E, Harkema SJ. A multivariate examination of temporal changes in Berg Balance Scale items for patients with ASIA Impairment Scale C and D spinal cord injuries.

Objective

To provide a multivariate examination of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) as a first step in developing a balance tool for the SCI population.

Design

Observational cohort.

Setting

The NeuroRecovery Network (NRN), a specialized network of treatment centers providing standardized, activity-based therapy for patients with SCI.

Participants

Patients (N=97) with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale C or D SCI who were enrolled in the NRN between March 1, 2005, and June 12, 2007.

Interventions

All enrolled patients received 3 to 5 locomotor training sessions a week, according to NRN protocol, and were periodically evaluated for progress on functional outcome measurements.

Main Outcome Measures

Scores on the items of the BBS, six-minute walk test distances, ten-meter walk test speeds, and scores on the SCI Functional Ambulation Index. Temporal rates of change of the BBS items were examined with a principal components and correlation analysis.

Results

The first principal component accounted for nearly half of the overall variability in the BBS, correlated well with rates of change in functional mobility measures, and had good stability in its composition as verified by a resampling analysis. Further analysis showed that the composition of the first principal component varied with the patient's level of recovery.

Conclusions

The BBS captures a significant amount of information about balance recovery in persons with SCI and may be a good foundation for a balance tool. However, the utility of BBS items may be dependent on a patient's level of recovery. A dynamic balance instrument for the SCI population may be needed.     

Paraplegia after aortic aneurysm repair versus traumatic spinal cord injury: functional outcome, complications, and therapy intensity of inpatient rehabilitation

Yokoyama O, Sakuma F, Itoh R, Sashika H. Paraplegia after aortic aneurysm repair versus traumatic spinal cord injury: functional outcome, complications, and therapy intensity of inpatient rehabilitation.

Objective

To compare outcomes, complications, and therapy intensity of inpatient rehabilitation in patients with paraplegia caused by spinal cord injury associated with aortic aneurysm repair (SCI-AA) versus patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design

Case-controlled study.

Setting

SCI unit in a rehabilitation center.

Participants

Seventeen patients with SCI-AA and 17 patients with traumatic SCI.

Intervention

Standard rehabilitation therapy for SCI.

Main Outcome Measures

Length of stay (LOS) in acute and rehabilitation hospitals; FIM instrument scores; FIM change; FIM efficiency; complications; therapy intensity; and ambulatory state and return to community at discharge.

Results

No significant differences were noted in acute and rehabilitation LOS and admission FIM scores. Discharge FIM scores, FIM change, and FIM efficiencies were significantly lower in the SCI-AA group, which had many complications related to AA and SCI. Intensity of rehabilitation sports therapy in the SCI-AA group was significantly lower than that of the traumatic SCI group, but total therapy intensity did not differ significantly. Both had similar rates of return to ambulatory state and discharge to the community.

Conclusions

SCI-AA patients had many complications that interfered with rehabilitation therapy, and could not achieve functional gains comparable to those with traumatic SCI. However, both groups achieved comparable success with return to ambulatory state and discharge to the community.     

Leisure Time Physical Activity in a Population-Based Sample of People With Spinal Cord Injury Part II: Activity Types, Intensities, and Durations

Martin Ginis KA, Arbour-Nicitopoulos KP, Latimer AE, Buchholz AC, Bray SR, Craven BC, Hayes KC, Hicks AL, McColl M, Potter PJ, Smith K, Wolfe DL. Leisure time physical activity in a population-based sample of people with spinal cord injury part II: activity types, intensities, and durations.

Objective

To describe the types, intensities, and average duration of leisure time physical activities (LTPAs) performed by people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design

Cross-sectional telephone survey.

Setting

General community.

Participants

Men and women with SCI (N=347) who reported engaging in LTPA over the previous 3 days.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Mean minutes a day of LTPA performed at mild, moderate, and heavy intensities; proportion of respondents performing specific types of LTPA.

Results

Participants reported a mean ± SD of 55.15±59.05min/d of LTPA at a mild intensity or greater. Median LTPA was 33.33min/d. More activity was done at a moderate intensity (mean ± SD, 25.49±42.11min/d) than mild (mean ± SD, 19.14±37.77min/d) or heavy intensities (mean ± SD, 10.52±22.17min/d). Most participants reported mild (54%) or moderate intensity LTPA (68%), while a minority reported heavy intensity LTPA (43%). The 3 most frequently reported types of LTPA were resistance training (33%), aerobic exercise (25%), and wheeling (24%). Craftsmanship (mean ± SD, 83.79±96.00min/d) and sports activities (mean ± SD, 60.86±59.76 min/d) were performed for the longest durations.

Conclusions

There is considerable variability in daily LTPA among active people with SCI and variability across different types of LTPA in terms of typical durations and intensities. This information can be used to help people with chronic SCI become more active by highlighting activities that meet individual abilities, needs, and desires.     

Menopause Characteristics and Subjective Symptoms in Women With and Without Spinal Cord Injury

Kalpakjian CZ, Quint EH, Bushnik T, Rodriguez GM, Terrill MS. Menopause characteristics and subjective symptoms in women with and without spinal cord injury.

Objective

To examine menopause transition characteristics and symptom bother in women with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design

Prospective cohort (4 data collection periods across 4 years).

Setting

Community.

Participants

Women (n=62) with SCI (injury levels C6-T12, nonambulatory, >36mo postinjury; 86.1% retention) and women without SCI (n=66; 92.9% retention) with intact ovaries, not using hormone therapy, and between the ages of 45 and 60 years volunteered. A total of 505 observations were collected and analyzed.

Interventions

None.

Main Outcome Measures

Age at final menstrual period (FMP), transitions through menopause status classifications, and menopause symptom bother (vasomotor, somatic, psychologic symptoms).

Results

The number of women transitioning through a menopause status classification over the course of the study did not significantly vary by group (P=.263), nor did age at FMP (P=.643). Women with SCI experienced greater bother of somatic symptoms (a subscale, P<.001), bladder infections (P<.001), and diminished sexual arousal (P=.012). Women without SCI had significantly greater bother of vasomotor symptoms (P=.020). There were no significant group by menopause status interactions; main effects for menopause status were significant only for vasomotor symptoms and vaginal dryness.

Conclusions

Results suggested that women with SCI experience greater symptom bother in certain areas, but that patterns of symptom bother across menopause, transition through menopause, and age at FMP are similar to those of their peers. Larger studies are needed to examine menopause outcomes with respect to level of injury and completeness of injury. These findings provide a framework that women with SCI and their health care providers can use to address the menopause transition and highlight the importance of multidisciplinary involvement to maximize health and well being during this transition.     

Measuring fatigue in persons with spinal cord injury

Anton HA, Miller WC, Townson AF. Measuring fatigue in persons with spinal cord injury.

Objective

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design

A 2-week methodologic study was conducted to assess the internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity of the FSS.

Setting

A tertiary spinal cord rehabilitation facility.

Participants

Forty-eight community-living subjects at least 1 year post-SCI with American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade A or B SCI and no medical conditions causing fatigue. The sample was predominantly male (n=31 [65%]) with tetraplegia (n=26 [54%]) and ASIA grade A injuries (n=30 [63%]). The average duration since injury was 14.9 years.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

The ASIA Impairment Scale, the FSS, a visual analog scale for fatigue (VAS-F), the vitality scale of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

Results

Mean FSS score ± standard deviation at baseline was 4.4±1.4, with 54% (n=26) scoring greater than 4. The internal consistency of the FSS was excellent (Cronbach α=.89). Two-week test-retest reliability was adequate (intraclass correlation coefficient, .84; 95% confidence interval, .74-.90). The magnitude of the relationship was as hypothesized for the VAS-F (r=.67) and CES-D (r=.58) and lower than hypothesized for the vitality subscore (r=−.48) of the SF-36.

Conclusions

The FSS has acceptable reliability with regard to internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity in persons with motor complete SCI.     

Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry of the Distal Femur May Be More Reliable than the Proximal Tibia in Spinal Cord Injury

Morse LR, Lazzari AA, Battaglino R, Stolzmann KL, Matthess KR, Gagnon DR, Davis SA, Garshick E. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry of the distal femur may be more reliable than the proximal tibia in spinal cord injury.

Objective

To evaluate the precision of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scanning at 2 skeletal sites at the knee (proximal femur and distal tibia) in people with SCI.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Participants

Subjects (N=20) with chronic SCI.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Precision as determined by root mean square coefficient of variation (RMS-CV) and root mean square standard deviation (RMS-SD).

Results

At the distal femur the root RMS-CV was 3.01% and the RMS-SD was 0.025g/cm². At the proximal tibia the RMS-CV was 5.91% and the RMS-SD was 0.030g/cm².

Conclusions

Precision at the distal femur is greater than at the proximal tibia and we recommend it as the preferred site for the longitudinal assessment of bone mineral density at the knee in chronic SCI.     

Leisure Time Physical Activity in a Population-Based Sample of People With Spinal Cord Injury Part I: Demographic and Injury-Related Correlates

Martin Ginis KA, Latimer AE, Arbour-Nicitopoulos KP, Buchholz AC, Bray SR, Craven BC, Hayes KC, Hicks AL, McColl M, Potter PJ, Smith K, Wolfe DL. Leisure time physical activity in a population-based sample of people with spinal cord injury part I: demographic and injury-related correlates.

Objectives

To estimate the number of minutes a day of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) performed by people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) and to identify the demographic and injury-related characteristics associated with LTPA in a population-based sample of people with chronic SCI.

Design

Cross-sectional telephone survey.

Setting

General community.

Participants

Men and women with SCI (N=695).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

The number of minutes/day of LTPA performed at a mild intensity or greater.

Results

Respondents reported mean minutes ± SD of 27.14±49.36 of LTPA/d; however, 50% reported no LTPA whatsoever. In a multiple regression analysis, sex, age, years postinjury, injury severity, and primary mode of mobility each emerged as a unique predictor of LTPA. Multiple correspondence analysis indicated that being a man over the age of 34 years and greater than 11 years postinjury was associated with inactivity, while being a manual wheelchair user and having motor complete paraplegia were associated with the highest level of daily LTPA.

Conclusions

Daily LTPA levels are generally low in people with SCI. Women, older adults, people with less recent injuries, people with more severe injuries, and users of power wheelchairs and gait aids are general subgroups that may require special attention and resources to overcome unique barriers to LTPA. Specific subgroups may also require targeted interventions.     

Asymptomatic median mononeuropathy among men with chronic paraplegia

Liang H-W, Wang Y-H, Pan S-L, Wang TG, Huang T-S. Asymptomatic median mononeuropathy among men with chronic paraplegia.

Objectives

To compare electrophysiologic abnormalities of the median nerve in asymptomatic paraplegic subjects and able-bodied controls and to examine the influence of personal factors on these parameters.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

University hospital.

Participants

Forty-seven men with paraplegia and 36 able-bodied controls underwent nerve conduction studies on both upper limbs. All were free of hand numbness in the past month, diabetic mellitus, or neuromusculoskeletal injuries to the upper limbs.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measure

Nerve conduction studies of the bilateral median and ulnar nerves.

Results

Although the 2 groups were of comparable age and had a similar body mass index (BMI), the subjects with paraplegia had a significantly higher proportion of asymptomatic median mononeuropathy than the controls (25.5% vs 5.6%, P=.02). The spinal cord injury (SCI) group had a prolonged median distal latency and a slowed digit-wrist sensory nerve conduction velocity. Multivariate general linear model analysis showed that prolonged motor and sensory latencies of the median nerve were associated with the SCI group and with greater BMI.

Conclusions

The asymptomatic subjects with paraplegia had a significantly higher frequency of median mononeuropathy than the able-bodied controls. There was also an association between BMI and distal latency of the median nerve.     

Longitudinal Changes in Physical Capacity Over 20 Years in Athletes With Spinal Cord Injury

Shiba S, Okawa H, Uenishi H, Koike Y, Yamauchi K, Asayama K, Nakamura T, Tajima F. Longitudinal changes in physical capacity over 20 years in athletes with spinal cord injury.

Objective

To investigate the longitudinal changes in physical capacity over 20 years in athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design

Longitudinal study (20-y follow-up).

Setting

Laboratory setting.

Participants

Persons with SCI (N=7).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Maximum oxygen consumption V?o₂max) measured in 1986-1988 and in 2006.

Results

Subjects with SCI maintained stable V?o₂max in 2006. Six of the 7 continued various wheelchair sports activities, while 1 person quit sports activities 1 year after the baseline study. The latter person showed reduced V?o₂max by 53%, while 2 persons who continued strenuous wheelchair sports activities showed increased V?o₂max by 43% and 45% after 20 years.

Conclusion

The results indicated that physical capacity reflected the level of sports activity in subjects with SCI who maintained sports activities.     

Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Balance in Persons With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Beauchamp MK, O'Hoski S, Goldstein RS, Brooks D. Effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on balance in persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objectives

To describe within-subject effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on balance in persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to determine whether any observed changes in balance were associated with change in exercise tolerance or health-related quality of life.

Design

Single-arm longitudinal study.

Setting

Inpatient PR center.

Participants

Subjects with COPD (N=29; mean ± SD age, 69.8±10.3y; forced expiratory volume in 1 second, 46.3%±22.3% predicted; 59% men [n=17]).

Interventions

A standardized 6-week multidisciplinary PR program (exercise training, breathing exercises, education, and psychologic support).

Main Outcome Measures

Balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. Exercise tolerance was determined from the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and health-related quality of life from the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ).

Results

Subjects showed small improvements in BBS (2.8±2.8 points; P<.001) and TUG (−1.5±2.4s; P=.003) scores, but not in ABC scores (4.8±15.4 points; P>.05). There was a weak relationship between change in BBS and change in CRQ scores (r=.40; P=.045) and no relationship with change in 6MWT.

Conclusions

PR contributed to minor improvements in balance and had no effect on balance confidence in subjects with COPD. Further work is warranted to determine the optimal intervention for improving balance in this population.     

Differential Performance of SF-36 Items in Healthy Adults With and Without Functional Limitations

Horner-Johnson W, Krahn GL, Suzuki R, Peterson JJ, Roid G, Hall T, the RRTC Expert Panel on Health Measurement. Differential performance of SF-36 items in healthy adults with and without functional limitations.

Objective

To determine whether Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) items show differential item functioning among healthy adults with various types of functional limitations as compared with a healthy sample with no identified limitations.

Design

Survey responses were analyzed by using partial correlations.

Setting

General community.

Participants

Participants (N=206) included (1) adults with spinal cord injury (SCI), (2) adults who were deaf or hard of hearing, (3) adults who were legally blind, (4) adults with psychiatric or emotional conditions, and (5) adults with no reported functional limitations. Participants were screened to ensure the absence of substantial health problems.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measure

SF-36.

Results

Partial correlations showed a significant negative correlation, indicating differential item functioning (ie, apparent bias) for people with SCI on all 10 SF-36 Physical Functioning items. For people who were blind, 5 items showed a significant negative correlation. Two items had significant negative correlations for the deaf/hard-of-hearing group. One item showed significant negative performance for people with mental health conditions.

Conclusions

Our data indicated a possibility for measurement bias caused by the blending of health and function concepts in the SF-36.     

Evaluation of an innovative methodology to recruit research participants with spinal cord injury through durable medical equipment suppliers

Krahn G, McCarthy M, Westwood D, Powers L. Evaluation of an innovative methodology to recruit research participants with spinal cord injury through durable medical equipment suppliers.

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness, strengths, and limitations of an innovative research method to recruit persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design

A pilot study for feasibility.

Setting

Community-based durable medical equipment suppliers (DMESs) in the states of Oregon, Washington, and New York.

Participants

Three DMESs participated and successfully distributed surveys to 591 customers with International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision, codes reflecting SCI. Of these, 316 people completed surveys, with 270 identifying SCI among their disabling conditions.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

The effort required to solicit recruitment assistance from DMESs, survey response rate, verification of SCI by self-report, and comparability of sample demographics to those of other SCI research samples from both the United States and other countries.

Results

A moderate level of effort was required to solicit recruitment assistance from DMESs. The survey had a 53% response rate, and 85% of respondents verified that they had an SCI by self-report. Sample demographics were generally similar to those of comparable research samples but with more single and unemployed persons responding and with longer duration of SCI.

Conclusions

This method of recruitment has the potential to address limitations of other recruitment methods but presents its own challenges with implementation. Potential sampling bias is discussed.     

The effectiveness of progressively increasing stimulation frequency and intensity to maintain paralyzed muscle force during repetitive activation in persons with spinal cord injury

Chou L-W, Lee SC, Johnston TE, Binder-Macleod SA. The effectiveness of progressively increasing stimulation frequency and intensity to maintain paralyzed muscle force during repetitive activation in persons with spinal cord injury.

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of progressively increasing stimulation intensity, progressively increasing frequency, or progressively increasing both frequency and intensity on paralyzed quadriceps femoris muscle force maintenance during repetitive activation.

Design

Factorial design with different stimulation protocols as independent variables.

Setting

A muscle performance laboratory.

Participants

People (N=8) with spinal cord injury (SCI) (age, 14.63±1.77y).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measure

Number of contractions when the peak force was 90% or more of a subject's maximal twitch force.

Results

The protocol involving progressively increasing stimulation intensity and then frequency generated more successful contractions (189.88±53.33) than progressively increasing the frequency followed by intensity (122.75±26.56 contractions). Regardless of the order, progressively increasing both intensity and frequency generated more successful contractions than progressively increasing intensity (97 contractions) or frequency (62 contractions) alone.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that during repetitive electric activation, progressively increasing both stimulation frequency and intensity can produce more successful contractions than progressively increasing only frequency or intensity. These findings can help researchers and clinicians design more effective stimulation protocols for persons with SCI during functional electric stimulation applications.     

Determinants of utilization of physical rehabilitation services for persons with chronic and disabling conditions: an exploratory study

Elrod CS, DeJong G. Determinants of utilization of physical rehabilitation services for persons with chronic and disabling conditions: an exploratory study.

Objective

To determine which variables influence the receipt of physical rehabilitation services (ie, physical, occupational, speech therapy) for a population of people with chronic and disabling conditions.

Design

A convenience sample of 502 adults with cerebral palsy (CP), multiple sclerosis (MS), and spinal cord injury (SCI), drawn from diverse parts of the United States.

Setting

Respondents were surveyed in the general community.

Participants

Persons (91% under the age of 65y) with CP, MS, or SCI who responded to the 1999 component of a national longitudinal survey.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Self-reported need for physical rehabilitation services. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine variables that influenced utilization of services.

Results

Some 53% of respondents did not receive self-reported needed physical rehabilitation services. Respondents who had Medicaid were more likely than those with Medicare or private insurance to receive physical rehabilitation services. Respondents having a lower household income and poorer health were less likely to receive services.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that health care funding sources provide widely disparate coverage for physical rehabilitation services to persons with 3 specific chronic and disabling conditions. Policy-makers and health plan administrators should re-evaluate their coverage of physical rehabilitation services designed to enhance quality of life and reduce the burden of lost independence.     

Obesity influences transitional states of disability in older adults with knee pain

Rejeski WJ, Ip EH, Marsh AP, Zhang Q, Miller ME. Obesity influences transitional states of disability in older adults with knee pain.

Objectives

This study employed relatively new statistical methods to understand how many states are needed to describe disability in older adults with knee pain, describe the relative probability of transitioning between states over time, and examine whether obesity influences the probability of transitioning between states.

Design

Prospective epidemiologic study of older adults with knee pain.

Setting

Community.

Participants

The participants, 245 women and 235 men, were 65 years or older, had chronic knee pain on most days, and had difficulty with at least 1 mobility-related activity caused by knee pain.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measure

The primary instrument, the Pepper Assessment Tool for Disability, evaluated self-reported difficulty with mobility, basic activities of daily living (ADLs), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

Results

The Hidden Markov Model yielded 6 states reflecting changes in mobility, ADLs, and IADLs. There is evidence that loss in more demanding mobility-related activities such as stair climbing is an early sign for the onset of disability and that functional deficits in the lower extremities are critical to the early loss of ADLs. Overall the trend is for older adults to experience greater progression than regression and for obesity to be important in understanding severe states of disability.

Conclusions

These data provide a strong rationale for characterizing disability on a continuum and underscore the fluid nature of disability in older adults. As expected, lower-extremity function plays a key role in the disablement process; obesity is also particularly relevant to understanding severe states of disability.     

Gram-negative intravascular catheter-related bacteremia in patients with spinal cord injury

Hussain R, Cevallos ME, Darouiche RO, Trautner BW. Gram-negative intravascular catheter-related bacteremia in patients with spinal cord injury.

Objective

To determine whether the prevalence of gram-negative catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is higher in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) than in patients without SCI.

Design

Retrospective chart review from August 1998 to August 2006.

Setting

A Veterans Affairs medical center, which serves as a tertiary care medical center to over 500 veterans with SCI and is the primary source of health care for veterans in southeast Texas.

Participants

All hospitalized patients who had an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code for bacteremia associated with their hospital stay.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measure

The proportion of CRBSI caused by gram-negative organisms in the SCI patients to the proportion of CRBSI caused by gram-negative organisms in the non-SCI patients.

Results

Eight (42%) of 19 episodes of CRBSI in the SCI were caused by a gram-negative organism as compared with 4 (11%) of 36 infections in the non-SCI group (P<.01). Factors associated with having a gram-negative organism rather than a gram-positive organism as the causative agent of CRBSI were SCI, femoral catheter site, prolonged hospitalization, decubitus ulcer, and urinary catheter.

Conclusions

In our medical center, patients with SCI who develop CRBSI are more likely to have an infection with a gram-negative organism than are patients without SCI. This knowledge may guide initial empirical therapy of suspected bloodstream infection.     

Issues and challenges for development of a sustainable service model for people with spinal cord injury living in rural regions

Middleton JW, McCormick M, Engel S, Rutkowski SB, Cameron ID, Harradine P, Johnson JL, Andrews D. Issues and challenges for development of a sustainable service model for people with spinal cord injury living in rural regions.

Objective

To develop and implement a service model for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) living in rural regions.

Design

Service development, pilot evaluation study.

Setting

Regional and remote areas of the state of New South Wales, Australia.

Participants

Persons with SCI, caregivers, and health professionals.

Intervention

Phase 1 included initial needs analysis, followed by education and resource development tailored to needs of rural health professionals, caregivers, and persons with SCI. Phase 2 included coordination, professional support, and network development by part-time rural key worker and metropolitan-based project officer, documenting health- and service-related issues.

Main Outcome Measures

Self-perception of confidence as a result of education as well as reported issues, adverse health events, and barriers to service provision.

Results

Clinician confidence in managing people with SCI improved after education. Various health-related, environmental, and psychosocial issues were reported. Limited availability of resources and health infrastructure, particularly in more isolated or smaller towns, challenged service provision. Rural key workers played a central role in supporting local clinicians and service providers, improving communication and service coordination between rural health professionals and metropolitan SCI services.

Conclusion

Education and support for rural workforce that may be limited in numbers and capacity, and a model facilitating communication and coordination between services, are essential for improving health outcomes of rural people with SCI.