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More than 16 000 Americans experience spinal cord injury (SCI), resulting in chronic disability and other secondary sequelae, each year. Improvements in acute medical management have increased life expectancy. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in this population, and seems to occur earlier in individuals with SCI compared with the general population. People with SCI experience a high burden of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors, including dyslipidemia and diabetes, and demonstrate anatomic, metabolic, and physiologic changes alongside stark reductions in physical activity after injury. They also experience multiple, complex barriers to care relating to disability and, in many cases, compounding effects of intersecting racial and socioeconomic health inequities. Given this combination of risk factors, some investigators have proposed that people with SCI are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, beyond that associated with traditional risk factors, and SCI could be considered a risk-enhancing factor, analogous to other risk-enhancing factors defined by the 2019 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Primary Prevention Guidelines. However, more research is needed in this population to clarify the role of traditional risk factors, novel risk factors, health care access, social determinants of health, and intersectionality of disability, race, and socioeconomic status. There is an urgent need for primary care physicians and cardiologists to have awareness of the importance of timely diagnosis and management of cardiac risk factors for people with SCI.
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Doenças Cardiovasculares , Sistema Cardiovascular , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal , Humanos , Doenças Cardiovasculares/diagnóstico , Doenças Cardiovasculares/epidemiologia , Doenças Cardiovasculares/etiologia , Fatores de Risco , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/complicações , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/diagnóstico , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/epidemiologia , Fatores de Risco de Doenças CardíacasRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Spinal cord injury (SCI) damages synaptic connections between corticospinal axons and motoneurons of many muscles, resulting in devastating paralysis. We hypothesized that strengthening corticospinal-motoneuronal synapses at multiple spinal cord levels through Hebbian plasticity (i.e., "neurons that fire together, wire together") promotes recovery of leg and arm function. METHODS: Twenty participants with chronic SCI were randomly assigned to receive 20 sessions of Hebbian or sham stimulation targeting corticospinal-motoneuronal synapses of multiple leg muscles followed by exercise. Based on the results from this study, in a follow-up prospective study, 11 more participants received 40 sessions of Hebbian stimulation targeting corticospinal-motoneuronal synapses of multiple arm and leg muscles followed by exercise. During Hebbian stimulation sessions, 180 paired pulses elicited corticospinal action potentials by magnetic (motor cortex) and/or electrical (thoracic spine) stimulation allowing volleys to arrive at the spinal cord 1-2 milliseconds before motoneurons were activated retrogradely via bilateral electrical stimulation (brachial plexus, ulnar, femoral, and common peroneal nerves) for biceps brachii, first dorsal interosseous, quadriceps femoris, and tibialis anterior muscles as needed. RESULTS: We found in our randomized study that participants receiving Hebbian stimulation improved their walking speed and corticospinal function to a greater extent than individuals receiving sham stimulation. In agreement, prospective study participants improved their grasping and walking, corticospinal function, and quality of life metrics, exhibiting greater improvements with more sessions that persisted 9-month post-therapy. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that multisite Hebbian stimulation, informed by the physiology of the corticospinal system, represents an effective strategy to promote functional recovery following SCI. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:1198-1213.
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Qualidade de Vida , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal , Humanos , Estudos Prospectivos , Tratos Piramidais , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/terapia , Medula Espinal , Neurônios Motores/fisiologia , Músculo Esquelético/fisiologia , Potencial Evocado Motor/fisiologia , Plasticidade Neuronal/fisiologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: A motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI) results in the loss of voluntary motor control below the point of injury. Some of these patients can regain partial motor function through inpatient rehabilitation; however, there is currently no biomarker to easily identify which patients have this potential. Evidence indicates that spasticity could be that marker. Patients with motor complete SCI who exhibit spasticity show preservation of descending motor pathways, the pathways necessary for motor signals to be carried from the brain to the target muscle. We hypothesized that the presence of spasticity predicts motor recovery after subacute motor complete SCI. METHODS: Spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale and pendulum test) and descending connectivity (motor evoked potentials) were tested in the rectus femoris muscle in patients with subacute motor complete (n = 36) and motor incomplete (n = 30) SCI. Motor recovery was assessed by using the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury and the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS). All measurements were taken at admission and discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. RESULTS: We found that motor complete SCI patients with spasticity improved in motor scores and showed AIS conversion to either motor or sensory incomplete. Conversely, patients without spasticity showed no changes in motor scores and AIS conversion. In incomplete SCI patients, motor scores improved and AIS conversion occurred regardless of spasticity. INTERPRETATION: These findings suggest that spasticity represents an easy-to-use clinical outcome that might help to predict motor recovery after severe SCI. This knowledge can improve inpatient rehabilitation effectiveness for motor complete SCI patients. ANN NEUROL 2023.
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Espasticidade Muscular , Recuperação de Função Fisiológica , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal , Humanos , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/fisiopatologia , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/complicações , Espasticidade Muscular/etiologia , Espasticidade Muscular/fisiopatologia , Recuperação de Função Fisiológica/fisiologia , Valor Preditivo dos TestesRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Diversity in medical school students is essential to ensure that future physicians can care for a range of patients from different backgrounds. However, disability is often overlooked and there are potential examples of discrimination in US medical schools. OBJECTIVE: To determine if students with disabilities are included in online recruitment, diversity equity and inclusion (DEI), or nondiscrimination materials for US allopathic medical schools. METHODS: In this descriptive study, the authors reviewed publicly available data from websites of the top ranked 51 US allopathic medical schools to assess inclusion of disability in recruitment efforts or antidiscrimination statements. RESULTS: The results showed that just under one third of these schools (31 %) mention disability within their DEI or published recruitment efforts. Most commonly (27.5 %), disability is mentioned in a general diversity statement. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that there is a need for greater inclusion of disability in US medical schools' recruitment efforts. This is essential to ensure that people with disabilities are not discriminated against in medical school applications and is one of many factors that will contribute to future physicians being prepared to care for patients with disabilities.
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OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of older (≥ 65 years of age) patients with a non-traumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) treated in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) between 2013 and 2018. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: IRFs in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: 93,631 IRF Medicare stays for patients with NTSCI. INTERVENTIONS: Not Applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Length of stay, self-care and mobility function, discharge destination. RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2018, the number of older (≥ 65 years of age) Medicare patients with a NTSCI treated in IRFs increased about 22.1 percent, from 14,149 to 17,275. In addition to the increase, patients' sociodemographic characteristics shifted to have a slightly higher percentage of patients aged 65-74 years, a slightly higher percentage of males, and slightly fewer patients who identified as Hispanic. There was also a trend of more patients in the higher acuity case-mix groups and comorbidities tiers, but the median length of stay remained 12 days across all years. The percent of patients discharged home or to a community-based setting varied from 73.7 to 75.2 without a trend, although discharge self-care and mobility function increased slightly across the years. CONCLUSIONS: Between 2013 and 2018, the number of Medicare patients with NTSCI treated in IRFs increased by more than 22 percent. While patient complexity increased, the median length of stay remained 12 days across the years. Discharge self-care and mobility function increased slightly, and the percent of patients discharged home ranged from 73.7 to 75.2 across the years.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants be breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months of age. However, there are few resources available on the effects a spinal cord injury (SCI) can have for breastfeeding mothers. It is difficult to find information to address the unique challenges women with SCI experience when planning or trying to breastfeed. Our international team, including women with SCI, health care providers, and SCI researchers, aims to address the information gap through the creation of this consumer guide. The purpose of this consumer guide is to share the most common issues women with SCI experience during breastfeeding and provide information, practical suggestions, recommendations, and key resources in lay language. General information about breastfeeding is available on the internet, in books, or from friends and health care providers. We do not intend to repeat nor replace general breastfeeding information or medical advice. Breastfeeding for mothers with SCI is complex and requires a team of health care providers with complementary expertise. Such a team may include family physician, obstetrician, physiatrist, neurologist, occupational and physical therapist, lactation consultant, midwife, and psychologist. We hope this consumer guide can serve as a quick reference guide for mothers with SCI planning of trying to breastfeed. This guide will also be helpful to health care providers as an educational tool.
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Aleitamento Materno , Mães , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal , Humanos , Feminino , Mães/psicologia , Recém-Nascido , LactenteRESUMO
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children be breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months of age. This recommendation may prove challenging for women with spinal cord injury (SCI) who face unique challenges and barriers to breastfeeding due to the impact of SCI on mobility and physiology. Tailored provision of care from health care professionals (HCPs) is important in helping women navigate these potential barriers. Yet, HCPs often lack the confidence and SCI-specific knowledge to meet the needs of mothers with SCI. An international panel of clinicians, researchers, consultants, and women with lived experience was formed to create an accessible resource that can address this gap. A comprehensive survey on breastfeeding complications, challenges, resources, and quality of life of mothers with SCI was conducted, along with an environmental scan to evaluate existing postpartum guidelines and assess their relevance and usability as recommendations for breastfeeding after SCI. Building on this work, this article provides evidence-based recommendations for HCPs, including but not limited to general practitioners, obstetricians, pediatricians, physiatrists, lactation consultants, nurses, midwives, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists who work with prospective and current mothers with SCI.
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Disreflexia Autonômica , Aleitamento Materno , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal , Humanos , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/complicações , Feminino , Disreflexia Autonômica/etiologia , Disreflexia Autonômica/terapia , Disreflexia Autonômica/fisiopatologia , Guias de Prática Clínica como Assunto , Mães/psicologia , Qualidade de Vida , AdultoRESUMO
Getting old is hard, but it beats the alternative. This commentary explores some of the challenges of aging with a physical disability and the considerations taken to prevent further functional decline or injury during the aging process.
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Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a complex disorder that can have a significant impact on the quality of life of a person with this syndrome. The diagnosis and treatment of CRPS are often difficult as there is no one confirmatory test and no one definitive treatment. Currently, the most widely accepted clinical diagnostic criteria are the Budapest criteria, which were developed by expert consensus. Though no one single treatment has been found to be universally effective, early detection and an interdisciplinary approach to treatment appear to be key in treating CRPS. This review aims to present up-to-date clinical information regarding the diagnosis and management of CRPS and highlight the potential issues with diagnosis in the neurological population. Ultimately, more research is needed to identify the exact etiology of CRPS in order to help target appropriate therapies. In addition, more randomized controlled trials need to be performed in order to test new therapies or combinations of therapies, including pharmacological, interventional, and behavioral therapies, to determine the best treatment options for this potentially debilitating disorder.
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Síndromes da Dor Regional Complexa/diagnóstico , Síndromes da Dor Regional Complexa/terapia , Qualidade de Vida , Síndromes da Dor Regional Complexa/fisiopatologia , Estimulação Encefálica Profunda/métodos , Humanos , Hiperalgesia/diagnóstico , Hiperalgesia/fisiopatologia , Hiperalgesia/terapia , Bloqueio Nervoso/métodos , Psicoterapia/métodos , Esteroides/uso terapêutico , Estimulação Elétrica Nervosa Transcutânea/métodosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) enhances lower extremity motor function in humans with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). AIH-induced spinal plasticity is inhibited by systemic inflammation in animal models. Since SCI is frequently associated with systemic inflammation in humans, we tested the hypothesis that pretreatment with the anti-inflammatory agent ibuprofen enhances the effects of AIH. METHODS: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover design was used. Nine adults (mean age 51.1 ± 13.1 years) with chronic motor-incomplete SCI (7.7 ± 6.3 years post-injury) received a single dose of ibuprofen (800â mg) or placebo, 90 minutes prior to AIH. For AIH, 9% O2 for 90 seconds was interspersed with 21% O2 for 60 seconds. Maximal voluntary ankle plantar flexion isometric torque was assessed prior to, and at 0, 30, and 60 minutes post-AIH. Surface electromyography (EMG) of plantar flexor muscles was also recorded. RESULTS: Torque increased significantly after AIH at 30 (P = 0.007; by â¼20%) and 60 (P < 0.001; by â¼30%) minutes post-AIH versus baseline. Ibuprofen did not augment the effects of AIH. EMG activity did not increase significantly after AIH; however, there was a significant association between increases in torque and EMG in both gastrocnemius (R2 = 0.17, P < 0.005) and soleus (R2 = 0.17, P < 0.005) muscles. CONCLUSIONS: AIH systematically increased lower extremity torque in individuals with chronic incomplete SCI, but there was no significant effect of ibuprofen pretreatment. Our study re-confirms the ability of AIH to enhance leg strength in persons with chronic incomplete SCI.