Browse the latest research summaries in the field of physiology for spinal cord injury patients and caregivers.
Showing 211-220 of 321 results
PLoS ONE, 2018 • August 31, 2018
This study examined the associations of anthropometric measurements of central adiposity to visceral adipose tissue and cardiometabolic disease risk factors in men with SCI and determine population-sp...
KEY FINDING: Seated/supine abdominal and waist circumferences were associated with MRI visceral fat cross-sectional area (VATCSA), VAT volume and CSA:TotalCSA.
The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2017 • March 1, 2017
A recent study showed weight loss in SCI patients, but the author argues that BMI alone is insufficient to assess health in this population due to changes in body composition. Body composition, partic...
KEY FINDING: Persons categorized as overweight or obese at baseline experienced overall weight loss over 1 year, while those initially characterized as underweight or of normal weight appeared to gain weight.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 2002 • February 1, 2002
Spinal cord injury induces significant adaptations in the muscular, skeletal, and neural systems. These adaptations can hinder rehabilitation efforts and future treatment options if not properly addre...
KEY FINDING: Paralyzed muscles transform to faster myosin types, increasing contractile speeds and fatigue.
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2004 • October 25, 2004
This study evaluated the effect of passive leg movements on blood circulation during tilt table testing in healthy adults. Two types of passive leg movements were tested: stepping and cycling. The res...
KEY FINDING: Passive stepping movements on the tilt stepper significantly reduced the occurrence of near-syncope or syncope compared to the traditional tilt table.
J Physiol, 2005 • October 20, 2005
This study compared muscle recruitment characteristics of intraspinal microstimulation (ISMS) and nerve cuff stimulation (NCS) in rats. The results showed that ISMS preferentially recruited fatigue-re...
KEY FINDING: ISMS preferentially recruits fatigue-resistant (FR) fibers compared to NCS, especially at higher stimulation amplitudes.
J Neurophysiol, 2006 • April 1, 2006
This study examined the effects of long-term neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training on musculoskeletal health in individuals with acute spinal cord injury (SCI). The primary outcomes wer...
KEY FINDING: Long-term NMES training resulted in significant improvements in plantar flexor muscle properties, including increased peak torque (+24%), torque-time integral (+27%), fatigue index (+50%), and torque rise time (+45%).
BMC Neurology, 2006 • March 15, 2006
This case report describes a 63-year-old woman who presented with progressive triplegia following a road traffic accident, initially raising suspicion for cervical spinal cord injury. However, further...
KEY FINDING: The patient's symptoms of progressive triplegia initially suggested cervical spinal cord injury, but detailed evaluation revealed a cerebrovascular etiology.
J Appl Physiol, 2006 • August 1, 2006
The study quantified postfatigue potentiation in acutely and chronically paralyzed soleus muscles and determined the effect of long-term electrical stimulation training on potentiation characteristics...
KEY FINDING: Chronically paralyzed muscles show significant postfatigue potentiation, while acutely paralyzed muscles do not.
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, 2006 • May 12, 2006
This study examined the dynamics of axonal recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats using spinal cord evoked potentials (SCEPs). Electrodes were implanted to stimulate and record electrical sig...
KEY FINDING: SCEP waveforms were significantly reduced or completely lost immediately after SCI. Partial recovery of SCEPs was observed in all injury groups over time.
J Appl Physiol, 2006 • November 1, 2006
The study compared torque feedback-controlled (FDBCK) electrical stimulation with classic open-loop constant-frequency (CONST) stimulation to improve muscle performance in chronically paralyzed muscle...
KEY FINDING: In fresh muscle, feedback-controlled stimulation offered minimal advantage in maintaining peak torque or mean torque over constant stimulation.