The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of wheelchair ergometer training on spinal cord-injured paraplegics. Eleven male paraplegics with a mean age of 30.9 years (range, 20 to 49 years) participated in the wheelchair ergometer training for the period of 5 weeks. The mean peak heart rate, the mean peak systolic blood pressure and the mean time required for 100m wheelchair propelling at resistance level 1 were significantly decreased at the end of 5 weeks of training as compared with those at pre-training. There was no statistically significant difference in pulmonary function test at pre- and post-training. The peak torque of shoulder flexor and the total work of shoulder flexor and extensor at 180 degrees/sec after training were increased more significantly than those prior to the training. In accordance with the findings as revealed above, it is deemed that the endurance and strength of the upper body and the cardiac fitness for spinal cord-injured paraplegics may be improved by the wheelchair ergometer exercise
Adult ; *Exercise Therapy ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age ; Paraplegia/etiology/*rehabilitation ; Spinal Cord Injuries/complications/*rehabilitation ; *Wheelchairs

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the beneficial effects of application of a self-designed reciprocating gait orthosis (RGO) combined with comprehensive rehabilitation training on bladder and bowel function in paraplegic patients sustaining spinal cord injuries (SCI).

METHODSTwelve paraplegic patients with complete spinal cord injury at the levels between T(4) and L(1) received the RGO with a comprehensive rehabilitation exercise program carried out before and after fixing. Cold water and colon excretion tests were performed before and 3 months after application of the RGO, and the bladder volume, residue bladder volume, and bladder and bowel pressures were measured in these patients.

RESULTSThe 12 paraplegic patients all showed positive results in cold water test before and after RGO application. Before RGO application, 11 of these patients were positive for urine bacteria and only 1 patient was still positive 3 months after the application. The bladder volume and bowel pressure of the patients were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the residue volume and pressure of the bladder were significantly reduced 3 months after RGO application (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONRGO combined with comprehensive rehabilitation training can effectively improve the bladder and bowel function and the quality of life of patients with complete spinal cord injury, suggesting much clinical value for its extensive application.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthotic Devices ; Paraplegia ; etiology ; physiopathology ; rehabilitation ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; complications ; Urinary Bladder ; physiopathology ; Walkers ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the clinical efficacy on neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury (SCD between the matrix needling technique combined with rehabilitation training and rehabilitation training in the patients.

METHODSSixty patients of SCI neurogenic bladder were randomized into an observation group (29 cases) and a control group (31 cases). In the control group, the conventional rehabilitation therapy, the intermittent catheterization and bladder function training were adopted, once every day, for 4 weeks totally. In the observation group, on the basic treatment of the rehabilitation as the control group, the matrix needling technique and acupuncture at sanyin points were applied. The treatment of 8 days made one session, at the interval of 2 days, continuously for 3 sessions, meaning 4 weeks totally. The bladder function score, residual urine volume and bladder capacity were compared before and after treatment in the two groups.

RESULTSThe bladder function score was reduced after treatment as compared with that before treatment in either group (both P<0. 05). The score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group after treatment (P<0. 05). No matter which spinal segment was injured, the residual urine volume after treatment was reduced as compared with that before treatment and the bladder capacity was increased (P<0. 05). The residual urine volume in the observation group was less than that in the control group after treatment and the bladder capacity was more increased (P< 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe conventional rehabilitation program in combination with the matrix needling technique and acupuncture at sanyin points achieve the significant efficacy on SCI neurogenic bladder.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder ; physiopathology ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic ; etiology ; physiopathology ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Urination ; Young Adult

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and subsequent pulmonary embolism (PE) remain significant causes of morbidity, mortality in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Since incidence of DVT after SCI in Korean population has not been much studied, we retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 185 SCI patients admitted for acute rehabilitation unit to investigate the incidence of DVT. Color Doppler ultrasonography was performed to screen for the occurrence of DVT at the time of initial presentation to acute rehabilitation unit. Primary study outcome was the incidence of DVT. Possible risk factors for DVT including the epidemiologic characteristics, completeness of motor paralysis, cause of injury, spasticity, surgery, and active cancer were analyzed. The incidence of DVT after SCI was 27.6%. In multiple logistic regression analysis, absence of spasticity was a significant independent risk factor (P<0.05) for occurrence of DVT. Symptomatic pulmonary embolism was evident in 7 patients without an episode of sudden death. Therefore, it is concluded that the incidence of DVT after SCI in Korean patients is comparable with that in Western populations. This result suggests that pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis should be considered in Korean patients with SCI.
Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paralysis/etiology ; Pulmonary Embolism/epidemiology/etiology ; Rehabilitation Centers ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Spinal Cord Injuries/*complications ; Venous Thrombosis/*epidemiology/etiology/ultrasonography ; Young Adult