Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Sep 2012
Cardiovascular status of individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury from 7 NeuroRecovery Network rehabilitation centers.
To examine cardiovascular (CV) health in a large cohort of individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). The CV health parameters of patients were compared based on American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS), neurologic level, sex, central cord syndrome, age, time since injury, Neuromuscular Recovery Scale, and total AIS motor score. ⋯ Resting CV parameters of blood pressure and heart rate are affected by position, age, and neurologic level. OH is more prevalent in cervical injuries, those with lower resting blood pressures and who are lower functioning. Results from this study provide reference for CV parameters for individuals with incomplete SCI. Future research is needed on the impact of exercise on CV parameters.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Sep 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEffects of a multifactorial falls prevention program for people with stroke returning home after rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial.
To determine whether a multifactorial falls prevention program reduces falls in people with stroke at risk of recurrent falls and whether this program leads to improvements in gait, balance, strength, and fall-related efficacy. ⋯ This multifactorial falls prevention program was not effective in reducing falls in people with stroke who are at risk of falls nor was it more effective than usual care in improving gait, balance, and strength in people with stroke. Further research is required to identify effective interventions for this high-risk group.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Sep 2012
Multicenter StudyRelationship between ASIA examination and functional outcomes in the NeuroRecovery Network Locomotor Training Program.
To determine the effects of locomotor training on: (1) the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury examination; (2) locomotion (gait speed, distance); (3) balance; and (4) functional gait speed stratifications after chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). ⋯ Locomotor training improves gait speed to levels sufficient for independent in-home or community ambulation after chronic motor incomplete SCI. Changes in lower extremity motor and sensory scores do not capture the full extent of functional recovery, nor predict responsiveness to locomotor training. Functional classification based on gait speed may provide an effective measure of treatment efficacy or functional improvement after incomplete SCI.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Sep 2012
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialAssessment of functional improvement without compensation reduces variability of outcome measures after human spinal cord injury.
To develop a scale (Neuromuscular Recovery Scale [NRS]) for classification of functional motor recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) based on preinjury movement patterns that would reduce variability of the populations' level of function within each class, because assessment of functional improvement after SCI is problematic as a result of high variability of the populations' level of function and the insensitivity to change within the available outcome measures. ⋯ Assessment with the NRS provides a classification for functional motor recovery without compensation, which reduces variability in performance and improvements for individuals with injuries classified as AIS grades C and D.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Sep 2012
Multicenter StudyDynamic longitudinal evaluation of the utility of the Berg Balance Scale in individuals with motor incomplete spinal cord injury.
To examine the utility of the Berg Balance Scale among patients with motor incomplete spinal cord injuries (SCIs), to determine how the utility of the Berg Balance Scale changes over time with activity-based therapy, and to identify differences in scale utility across patient groups defined by status of recovery. ⋯ The utility of the Berg Balance Scale in patients with motor incomplete SCI in early and advanced phases of recovery is limited. Specific item utility changes as patients recover. Thus, a more comprehensive and dynamic instrument is necessary to adequately measure balance across the spectrum of patients with motor incomplete SCI.