Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation improves postural stability in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Widespread demyelination in the central nervous system can lead to progressive sensorimotor impairments following multiple sclerosis, with compromised postural stability during standing being a common consequence. As such, clinical strategies are needed to improve postural stability following multiple sclerosis. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the effect of non-invasive transcutaneous spinal stimulation on postural stability during upright standing in individuals with multiple sclerosis. METHODS: Center of pressure displacement and electromyograms from the soleus and tibialis anterior were recorded in seven individuals with multiple sclerosis during standing without and with transcutaneous spinal stimulation. Center of pressure and muscle activity measures were calculated and compared between no stimulation and transcutaneous spinal stimulation conditions. The relationship between the center of pressure displacement and electromyograms was quantified using cross-correlation analysis. RESULTS: For transcutaneous spinal stimulation, postural stability was significantly improved during standing with eyes closed: the time- and frequency-domain measures obtained from the anterior-posterior center of pressure fluctuation decreased and increased, respectively, and the tibialis anterior activity was lower compared to no stimulation. Conversely, no differences were found between no stimulation and transcutaneous spinal stimulation when standing with eyes open. CONCLUSION: Following multiple sclerosis, transcutaneous spinal stimulation improved postural stability during standing with eyes closed, presumably by catalyzing proprioceptive function. Future work should confirm underlying mechanisms and explore the clinical value of transcutaneous spinal stimulation for individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Impact of StatLock securing device on symptomatic catheter-related urinary tract infection: a prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of using the StatLock securing device on symptomatic catheter-related urinary tract infection (UTI). METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial, adult patients with spinal cord injury or dysfunction because of multiple sclerosis were randomized to have their indwelling bladder catheters secured in place by using the StatLock device (experimental group) versus preexisting methods (control group that included tape, Velcro strap, CathSecure, or none). Patients were monitored for the development of symptomatic UTI within the subsequent period of 8 weeks. RESULTS: Of a total of 127 enrolled patients, 118 (60 in the experimental group and 58 in the control group) were evaluable. The 2 groups of evaluable patients were comparable in terms of clinical characteristics and risk factors for infection. Symptomatic UTI was diagnosed in 8 of 60 (13.3%) patients in the experimental group versus 14 of 58 (24.1%) patients in the control group (P = .16; RR = 0.55, 95% confidence interval: 0.25-1.22). CONCLUSION: Although the trial size precluded the demonstration of statistically significant differences, the finding of a 45% reduction in the rate of symptomatic UTI in patients who received the StatLock securing device is clinically relevant and prompts further investigations.

Rehabilitation of postcardiac surgery stroke patients. Progress, outcomes, and comparisons with other stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the demographics, progress, and functional outcomes of all postcardiac surgery stroke patients admitted to the rehabilitation unit of an acute, tertiary general hospital over a 5-yr period and to compare this cohort with an age-matched control group of other stroke patients admitted during the same period. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of 47 postcardiac surgery stroke and a matched control group of other stroke patients admitted to the rehabilitation unit. RESULTS: The mean age of the postcardiac surgery stroke patients was 70.80 +/- 8.37 yr, with 60% of patients being male. Their average length of stay on the rehabilitation unit was 15.64 +/- 11.96 days. Mean admit FIM total score was 65.64 +/- 16.33, with a discharge FIM total score of 86.77 +/- 18.93. Mean admit FIM motor score was 41.47 +/- 9.45, with a discharge FIM motor of 60.74 +/- 13.20. The other stroke group had significantly greater admit FIM total (P = 0.03), admit motor (P = 0.001), and discharge motor (P = 0.025) scores. FIM efficiency and motor and cognitive gains were comparable between the two groups. Length of stay on the rehabilitation unit was approximately 2 days less (P = 0.224) for the other stroke cohort. Ultimately, 39 (83%) of the postcardiac surgery stroke patients were discharged to the community compared with 45 (96%) of the other stroke patients (P = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of postcardiac surgery stroke patients successfully completed a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program. They had lower admit FIM total scores and admit and discharge FIM motor scores than the other stroke group and were almost as likely to ultimately return to the community.