The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) and MIP in individuals with spinal cord injury. We evaluated 26 patients with spinal cord injury. Mean FVC in those with tetraplegia was 52 +/- 19% of predicted, compared with 78 +/- 23% of predicted in those with paraplegia (p < 0.05). In contrast, the percentage of predicted SNIP was lower in those...

OBJECTIVE This study investigated the immediate effects of repetitive neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)-assisted grasp-and-release activities on the hand of patients with tetraplegia. METHOD Three participants with C-5-C-6 tetraplegia underwent grasp training with sequential application of NMES to wrist extensors, finger flexors, and finger extensors to assist participants in graspi...

This study investigated the effects of one year of regular wheelchair rugby training on thoracoabdominal mobility of subjects with tetraplegia. Seven male subjects, tetraplegic level C5-C7 were analyzed before and after a year of training in wheelchair rugby the three-dimensional kinematic analysis of thoracoabdominal mobility of four regions: superior thorax (ST), inferior thorax (IT),superior...

This article briefly discusses several measurement tools for evaluating the upper limb of persons with tetraplegia. Muscle strength testing and electrodiagnostics are discussed as they relate to technique and usefulness for clinical trials. Standardized measures of hand function are reviewed; their limitations for clinical trials during acute spinal cord injury (SCI) care are acknowledged and t...

The rehabilitation robotics MASTER program was developed by the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and evaluated by the APPROCHE Rehabilitation centers. The aim of this program is to increase the autonomy and quality of life of persons with tetraplegia in domestic and vocational environments. Taking advantage of its experience in nuclear robotics, the CEA has supported studies dealing with t...

This report presents a case of widespread intramedullary giant cell ependymoma arising from the central canal of the C4 segment of the spinal cord in a 28-year-old man admitted to hospital with tetraplegia and signs of increased intracranial pressure, eight months after surgical spinal cervical decompression without tetraplegia improvement. Magnetic resonance imaging and autopsy revealed a tumo...

Passive forces play a large role in hand function after tetraplegia. Most individuals with tetraplegia choose not to undergo surgical reconstruction of hand function and, therefore, depend on the passive properties of their musculoskeletal system to perform functional tasks. Knowledge of the levels of force needed to perform many of these tasks is lacking. Understanding the mechanics of produci...

The pattern of motor paralysis that commonly follows C6 tetraplegia creates an increased demand on upper limb function . The present investigation documented shoulder motion and muscular activity during planar motions and four activities of daily living (ADLs) in 15 men with spinal cord injuries (SCI) resulting in C6 tetraplegia. Three-dimensional (3-D) shoulder motion was recorded using a VICO...