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Malik RN, Samejima S, Shackleton C, Miller T, Pedrocchi ALG, Rabchevsky AG, Moritz CT, Darrow D, Field-Fote EC, Guanziroli E, Ambrosini E, Molteni F, Gad P, Mushahwar VK, Sachdeva R, Krassioukov AV. REPORT-SCS: minimum reporting standards for spinal cord stimulation studies in spinal cord injury. J Neural Eng 2024; 21:016019. [PMID: 38271712 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ad2290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Objective.Electrical spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has emerged as a promising therapy for recovery of motor and autonomic dysfunctions following spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite the rise in studies using SCS for SCI complications, there are no standard guidelines for reporting SCS parameters in research publications, making it challenging to compare, interpret or reproduce reported effects across experimental studies.Approach.To develop guidelines for minimum reporting standards for SCS parameters in pre-clinical and clinical SCI research, we gathered an international panel of expert clinicians and scientists. Using a Delphi approach, we developed guideline items and surveyed the panel on their level of agreement for each item.Main results.There was strong agreement on 26 of the 29 items identified for establishing minimum reporting standards for SCS studies. The guidelines encompass three major SCS categories: hardware, configuration and current parameters, and the intervention.Significance.Standardized reporting of stimulation parameters will ensure that SCS studies can be easily analyzed, replicated, and interpreted by the scientific community, thereby expanding the SCS knowledge base and fostering transparency in reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raza N Malik
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Soshi Samejima
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Claire Shackleton
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tiev Miller
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alessandra Laura Giulia Pedrocchi
- Nearlab, Department di Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, and We-Cobot Laboratory, Polo Territoriale di Lecco, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Alexander G Rabchevsky
- Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Chet T Moritz
- Departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Rehabilitation Medicine, and Physiology & Biophysics, and the Center for Neurotechnology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - David Darrow
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Edelle C Field-Fote
- Shepherd Center, Crawford Research Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Emory University School of Medicine, Division of Physical Therapy, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Program in Applied Physiology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Eleonora Guanziroli
- Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Valduce Hospital, Costa Masnaga, Lecco, Italy
| | - Emilia Ambrosini
- Nearlab, Department di Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, and We-Cobot Laboratory, Polo Territoriale di Lecco, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Franco Molteni
- Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Valduce Hospital, Costa Masnaga, Lecco, Italy
| | - Parag Gad
- SpineX Inc., Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Vivian K Mushahwar
- Department of Medicine and Sensory Motor Adaptive Rehabilitation Technology (SMART) Network, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rahul Sachdeva
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Andrei V Krassioukov
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Spinal Cord Research Program, G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Fu X, Ma B, Zhou M, Cheng Y, Liu L, Kan S, Liu C, Zhao X, Feng S, Zhu H, Hu W, Jiang Z, Zhu R. Network pharmacology integrated with experimental validation to explore the therapeutic role and potential mechanism of Epimedium for spinal cord injury. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1074703. [PMID: 36793356 PMCID: PMC9922722 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1074703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Epimedium (EPI) is a common Chinese herb with neuroprotective effects against a variety of central nervous system disorders, especially spinal cord injury (SCI). In this study, we performed network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses to reveal the mechanism underlying EPI treatment of SCI, then validated its efficacy using animal models. Methods The active ingredients and targets of EPI were screened by Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) and their targets annotated on the UniProt platform. SCI-related targets were searched from OMIM, TTD, and GeneCards databases. We employed the STRING platform to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network then visualized the results using Cytoscape (3.8.2) software. We also subjected key EPI targets to ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, then docked the main active ingredients with the key targets. Finally, we established an SCI rat model to evaluate efficacy of EPI in treating SCI and validate the effects of different biofunctional modules predicted by network pharmacology. Results A total of 133 EPI targets were associated with SCI. GO terms and KEGG pathway enrichment results showed that EPI's effect in treating SCI was significantly associated with inflammatory response, oxidative stress and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Molecular docking results indicated that EPI's active ingredients have a high affinity for the key targets. Results from animal experiments revealed that EPI not only markedly improved Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores in SCI rats, but also significantly improved p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT ratio. Moreover, EPI treatment not only mediated a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) but also increased both superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH). However, this phenomenon was successfully reversed by LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor. Conclusion EPI improves behavioral performance in SCI rats through anti-oxidative stress, which may be mediated by activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rusen Zhu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
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Kuo CC, Tsai ST, Huang XL, Chen YC. Potential benefits of spinal cord stimulation treatment on quality of life for paralyzed patients with spinal cord injury. Tzu Chi Med J 2023. [DOI: 10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_102_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
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Tsai ST, Chen YC, Cheng HY, Lin CH, Lin HC, Yang CH, Liang CC, Chen SY. Spinal cord stimulation for spinal cord injury patients with paralysis: To regain walking and dignity. Tzu Chi Med J 2021; 33:29-33. [PMID: 33505875 PMCID: PMC7821832 DOI: 10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_53_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) usually leads to disconnection between traversing neuronal pathway. The impairment of neural circuitry and its ascending and descending pathway usually leave severe SCI patients with both motor disability and loss of sensory function. In addition to poor quality of life, SCI patients not only have disabling respiratory function, urinary retention, impaired sexual function, autonomic dysregulation but also medical refractory neuropathic pain in the long term. Some translational studies demonstrated that spinal networks possess a dynamic state of synaptic connection and excitability that can be facilitated by epidural spinal cord stimulation. In addition, preliminary human studies also confirmed that spinal cord stimulation enables stepping or standing in individuals with paraplegia as well. In this review, we examined the plausible interventional mechanisms underlying the effects of epidural spinal cord stimulation in animal studies. Following the success of translational research, chronic paralyzed subjects due to SCI, defined as motor complete status, regained their voluntary control and function of overground walking and even stepping for some. These progresses lead us into a new hope to help SCI patients to walk and regain their independent life again.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Tzung Tsai
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Chen
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yu Cheng
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsiang Lin
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Huan-Chen Lin
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chich-Haung Yang
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Chao Liang
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Yuan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
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Yin Q, Wang C, Yu J, Zhang Q. Quantitative assessment-based nursing intervention improves bowel function in patients with neurogenic bowel dysfunction after spinal cord injury: Study protocol for a randomized controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e23354. [PMID: 33371066 PMCID: PMC7748302 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000023354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neurogenic bowel dysfunction is a kind of familiar sequelae of the spinal cord injury (SCI), occurring in 70 to 80 percent of the SCI patients. The nursing intervention based on quantitative evaluation is to fully consider and assess the disease condition of patients, implement the personalized programs of nursing intervention, meet the patient's nursing needs to the maximum extent, improve the quality of nursing, and then facilitate the rehabilitation of patients. Our aim is to implement this program to evaluate the impact of this nursing intervention based on quantitative evaluation on the quality of life and bowel function in the neurogenic bowel dysfunction patients after SCI. METHODS The experiment is a randomized clinical research which will be implemented from May 2021 to October 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. The experiment was granted through the Research Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (No.100238765). Fifty neurogenic bowel dysfunction patients after SCI confirmed via the imaging are included in this study. The patients with the history of bowel diseases or patients who are unwilling to cooperate with the evaluation will be excluded. The primary outcomes are bowel function recovery and satisfaction of the patients. The secondary outcomes are quality of life evaluated by SF-36 questionnaire. The questionnaire involves physical pain, role physiology, physiological functions, social functions, vitality, general health, mental health and role-motional. RESULTS Comparison of clinical parameters between the 2 groups will be shown in Table 1. CONCLUSION Nursing intervention based on the quantitative evaluation can improve the quality of life and recovery of intestinal function for the neurogenic intestinal dysfunction patients after SCI. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER researchregistry6143.
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Walter M, Ruiz I, Squair JW, Rios LAS, Averbeck MA, Krassioukov AV. Prevalence of self-reported complications associated with intermittent catheterization in wheelchair athletes with spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord 2020; 59:1018-1025. [PMID: 33051562 PMCID: PMC8397616 DOI: 10.1038/s41393-020-00565-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES To identify the prevalence of complications associated with intermittent catheterization in wheelchair athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING International and national sporting events. METHODS A total 130 competitive wheelchair athletes living with SCI completed a self-reported questionnaire during international or national sporting events. The questionnaire collected information regarding demographics, injury characteristics, method of bladder emptying, and complications related to intermittent catheterization. RESULTS Overall, 84% (109/130) of wheelchair athletes used intermittent catheterization. Within this group, 77% of athletes (84/109) experienced at least one complication associated with intermittent catheterization. Twenty-seven percent (29/109) sustained urethral injuries and 63% (69/109) had at least one episode of urinary tract infection during the last 12 months. Almost one-fourth of male athletes (22/95, 23%) had a history of inflammation / infection of genital organs associated with intermittent catheterization. CONCLUSIONS Here we report a high prevalence of self-reported complications associated with intermittent catheterization in wheelchair athletes with SCI. Considering their potential impact on lower urinary tract function, athletic performance, and health, further studies are needed to assess the role of preventative strategies to reduce complications related to intermittent catheterization in wheelchair athletes with SCI. SPONSORSHIP Coloplast Brazil and Instituto Lado a Lado pela Vida (a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization based in São Paulo) and Wellspect provided funding for this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Walter
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), Canada.,Department of Urology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ian Ruiz
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), Canada
| | - Jordan W Squair
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), Canada
| | - Luis A S Rios
- Department of Urology, IAMSPE Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil.,Videourodynamic Unit, Albert Einstein Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcio A Averbeck
- Department of Urology, Moinhos de Vento Hospital, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Andrei V Krassioukov
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia (BC), Canada. .,Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada. .,G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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McIntyre A, Marrocco SL, McRae SA, Sleeth L, Hitzig S, Jaglal S, Linassi G, Munce S, Wolfe DL. A Scoping Review of Self-Management Interventions Following Spinal Cord Injury. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil 2020; 26:36-63. [PMID: 32095066 PMCID: PMC7015175 DOI: 10.1310/sci2601-36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To conduct a scoping review to identify what components of self-management are embedded in self-management interventions for spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: In accordance with the approach and stages outlined by Arksey and O'Malley (2005), a comprehensive literature search was conducted using five databases. Study characteristics were extracted from included articles, and intervention descriptions were coded using Practical Reviews in Self-Management Support (PRISMS) (Pearce et al, 2016), Barlow et al (2002), and Lorig and Holman's (2003) taxonomy. Results: A total of 112 studies were included representing 102 unique self-management programs. The majority of the programs took an individual approach (52.0%) as opposed to a group (27.4%) or mixed approach (17.6%). While most of the programs covered general information, some provided specific symptom management. Peers were the most common tutor delivering the program material. The most common Barlow components included symptom management (n = 44; 43.1%), information about condition/treatment (n = 34; 33.3%), and coping (n = 33; 32.4%). The most common PRISMS components were information about condition and management (n = 85; 83.3%), training/rehearsal for psychological strategies (n = 52; 51.0%), and lifestyle advice and support (n = 52; 51.0%). The most common Lorig components were taking action (n = 62; 60.8%), resource utilization (n = 57; 55.9%), and self-tailoring (n = 55; 53.9%). Conclusion: Applying self-management concepts to complex conditions such as SCI is only in the earliest stages of development. Despite having studied the topic from a broad perspective, this review reflects an ongoing program of research that links to an initiative to continue refining and testing self-management interventions in SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda McIntyre
- Lawson Health Research Institute, Parkwood Institute, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Lindsay Sleeth
- Lawson Health Research Institute, Parkwood Institute, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sander Hitzig
- St. John's Rehab Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Susan Jaglal
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gary Linassi
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Sarah Munce
- Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto
| | - Dalton L. Wolfe
- Lawson Health Research Institute, Parkwood Institute, Ontario, Canada
- Health Sciences, Western University, Ontario, Canada
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Jung IY, Mo KI, Leigh JH. Effect of intravesical botulinum toxin injection on symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia in a patient with chronic spinal cord injury: a case report. J Spinal Cord Med 2019; 42:806-809. [PMID: 28486884 PMCID: PMC6830299 DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2017.1322738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Context: There are few treatment options for managing autonomic dysreflexia in patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). According to some studies, intravesical botulinum toxin for SCI patients with autonomic dysreflexia has a preventive effect on symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia. However, the usefulness of an intravesical botulinum toxin injection has never been reported for autonomic dysreflexia in an adult patient with chronic cervical SCI, although there has been for one pediatric patient.Findings: A 62-year-old man with chronic cervical SCI had neurogenic bladder due to C6-7 SCI since sustaining a fall in 1980. He presented with an intermittent headache and severe hypertension because of persistent autonomic dysreflexia. His symptoms did not improve with conservative management, and he could not undergo an operation to resect the lung cancer because of his uncontrolled blood pressure. To control his fluctuating blood pressure, he was taken to an operating room to receive an intravesical botulinum toxin injection for refractory bladder spasms. Subsequently, his blood pressure was controlled, and then the lung mass could be surgically removed. His improved condition lasted for more than 6 months.Conclusion: This case suggests that botulinum toxin is a logical treatment option for autonomic dysreflexia as well as neurogenic detrusor overactivity in patients with chronic SCI. Dedicated research is warranted to assess the efficacy of an intravesical botulinum toxin injection, as it was used successfully to stop the symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia in our patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Il-Young Jung
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyo Ik Mo
- Department of Urology, Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service Incheon Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja-Ho Leigh
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Republic of Korea,Correspondence to: Ja-Ho Leigh, MD, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 56 Dongsu-ro, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, 21458, Republic of Korea.
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Abstract
Over the past 10 years, our team has attended numerous Paralympic games and International Paralympic Committee (IPC)-sanctioned events where we have accumulated the largest data set to date from elite athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI). This empirical evidence has allowed us to address critical questions related to health and athletic performance in these incredibly medically complex individuals. Namely, does autonomic function influence performance? Can we account for this with the present sport classification? How can we prevent the doping practice of self-inducing life-threatening episodes of hypertension to improve performance (termed "boosting")? How does extremely high participation in routine upper-body wheelchair exercise impact cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease risk? Is it possible to improve the sport classification to level the playing field between athletes with and without autonomic dysfunction? Herein, we will narratively address these questions, and provide our perspective on future directions and recommendations moving forward. Our extensive clinical experience and comprehensive dataset suggest preserved autonomic function is critical for elite performance. We will explore how an easy-to-execute test may be able to predict which individuals are most likely to develop autonomic dysfunctions that may negatively affect their health and performance. We also will evaluate the possibility that a level playing field may be even more difficult to establish than once thought, considering the importance of not only voluntary movement to performance, but also autonomic function. Finally, we also will discuss new changes in screening guidelines at Rio to assess the occurrence of boosting, which is a banned practice by the IPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron A Phillips
- 1 International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jordan W Squair
- 1 International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada .,2 MD/PhD Training Program, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Andrei V Krassioukov
- 1 International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada .,3 Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada .,4 GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Health Authority, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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