Strengthening and optimal movements for painful shoulders (STOMPS) in chronic spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial

Handrim kinetics and quantitative ultrasound parameters for assessment of subacromial impingement in wheelchair users with pediatric-onset spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

Most manual wheelchair users with pediatric-onset spinal cord injury (SCI) will experience shoulder pain or pathology at some point in their life. However, guidelines for preservation of the upper limb in children with SCI are limited.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What are the relationships between manual wheelchair handrim kinetics and quantitative ultrasound parameters related to subacromial impingement in individuals with pediatric-onset SCI?

METHODS

Subacromial impingement risk factors including supraspinatus tendon thickness (SST), acromiohumeral distance (AHD), and occupation ratio (OR; SST/AHD) were measured with ultrasound in 11 manual wheelchair users with pediatric-onset SCI. Handrim kinetics were acquired during the stroke cycle, including peak resultant force (FR), peak rate of rise of resultant force (ROR) and fractional effective force (FEF). Variability of handrim kinetics was computed using the coefficient of variation and linear regression was performed to assess correlations between handrim metrics and quantitative ultrasound parameters.

RESULTS

Peak resultant force significantly increased 1.4 % and variability of FEF significantly decreased 8.0 % for every 0.1 cm increase in AHD. FEF decreased 3.5 % for every 0.1 cm increase in SST. Variability of peak resultant force significantly increased 3.6 % and variability of peak ROR of resultant force significantly increased 7.3 % for every 0.1 cm increase in SST. FEF variability significantly decreased 11.6 % for every 0.1 cm increase in SST. Peak ROR significantly decreased 1.54 % with every 10 % increase in OR. FEF variability significantly decreased 1.5 % with every 10 % increase in OR.

SIGNIFICANCE

This is the first study to investigate relationships among handrim kinetics and shoulder structure in manual wheelchair users with pediatric-onset SCI. Associations were identified between subacromial impingement risk factors and magnitude and variability of wheelchair handrim kinetics. These results indicate the critical need to further explore the relationships among wheelchair handrim kinetics, shoulder joint dynamics, and shoulder pathology in manual wheelchair users with pediatric-onset SCI.

Effectiveness of Exercise Programs for Alleviation of Upper Body Pain in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review

(1) Background: Upper body pain, particularly in the limbs and shoulders, is a common symptom among patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and wheelchair users. Despite the focus on resistance muscle training as a suitable intervention for SCI individuals, findings across different populations and conditions have been inconsistent. (2) Methods: We conducted a systematic review to elucidate the correlations among exercise interventions, muscle strength enhancement, and pain reduction. A comprehensive literature search was performed using the keywords "spinal cord injury," "pain," "exercise," "disability," "paraplegia," and "tetraplegia" across the DBpia, EMBASE, PubMed, and Science Direct databases. (3) Results: From 191 identified articles, 13 studies (1 from Korea and 12 from other countries) were selected for analysis. The results indicate that exercise interventions are effective in reducing pain in patients with SCI, with a particular emphasis on alleviating shoulder pain. (4) Conclusion: Exercise is essential for pain reduction in patients with SCI, especially those experiencing shoulder pain. However, there is a notable lack of experimental research focusing primarily on pain. The development of appropriate measurement instruments is crucial for the prevention and relief of pain in this patient population.

Models of care for musculoskeletal shoulder pain in spinal cord injury: A scoping review

CONTEXT

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a neurological condition that significantly impacts a person's lifestyle, health and well-being. Many individuals with SCI experience secondary musculoskeletal shoulder pain. This scoping review examines the current research on the diagnosis and management of shoulder pain in SCI.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this Scoping Review was (1) to chart peer-reviewed literature regarding the diagnosis and management of shoulder pain as it relates to SCI and (2) identify gaps in this body of literature to inform future research priorities.

METHODS

Six electronic databases were searched from inception until April 2022. In addition, reviewers scanned the reference lists of identified articles. Articles from peer-reviewed sources that reported diagnostic or management procedures for musculoskeletal shoulder conditions within the SCI population were considered and 1679 articles were identified. Title and abstract screening, full text review, and data extraction were undertaken by two independent reviewers.

RESULTS

Eighty seven articles were included, covering diagnosis or management of shoulder pain in SCI.

CONCLUSION

Whilst the most commonly reported diagnostic procedures and management strategies reflect contemporary practice for shoulder pain, the entire body of literature demonstrates inconsistencies in methodologies. In places, the literature continues to perceive value in procedures inconsistent with best practice. These findings encourage researchers to pursue the development of robust models of care for musculoskeletal shoulder pain in SCI using a collaborative and integrated approach, combining best practice for musculoskeletal shoulder pain alongside clinical expertise in the management of SCI.

Effect of Exercise on Mental Health and Health-related Quality of Life in Adults With Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of exercise interventions on mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with SCI.

DATA SOURCES

We searched Embase, CINAHL, Medline, PsychINFO, and SPORTDiscus from inception to September 2023.

STUDY SELECTION

We included randomized controlled trials that (1) involved participants ≥18 years old with a SCI; (2) administered an exercise intervention; and (3) measured subjective well-being, psychological well-being, social well-being, and/or HRQoL as outcomes. We reported standardized means differences (d) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), assessed the risk of bias by using the Revised Cochrane Risk-of-bias Tool for Randomized Trials (RoB 2), and the certainty of the evidence using GRADE.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Nineteen studies (797 participants, mean age <65 years in every study) were included. Exercise improved overall well-being (d=0.494; 95% CI 0.268, 0.720; low certainty evidence), subjective well-being (d=0.543; 95% CI 0.270, 0.816; low certainty evidence), psychological well-being (d=0.499; 95% CI 0.193, 0.805; low certainty evidence), social well-being (d=0.452; 95% CI 0.151, 0.752; low certainty evidence), and HRQoL (d=0.323; 95% CI 0.072, 0.574; low certainty evidence). Four serious adverse events probably attributable to the interventions were reported in 3 studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Exercise interventions can improve well-being and HRQoL in adults with SCI <65 years of age. Additional research is needed to determine effectiveness in adults ≥65 years of age.

Effect of adaptive sports on quality of life in individuals with disabilities who use wheelchairs: a mixed-methods systematic review

PURPOSE

Adaptive sports participation has been shown to improve quality of life (QoL) in individual with disabilities. However, inconsistent results in various domains of QoL exist in the literature. The objective of this mixed-methods systematic review is to identify and synthesize evidence from quantitative and qualitative studies on the effect of adaptive sports on QoL in individuals with disabilities who use wheelchairs for mobility.

METHODS

A systematic literature review of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research on the effect of adaptive sports on QoL was conducted on five databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Medline, and PubMed). Quality appraisal was conducted by two authors by using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

RESULTS

This review identified 4 key findings from 41 studies, including 31 quantitative and 10 qualitative studies. First, individuals with disabilities using wheelchairs for mobility who actively engaged in adaptive sports tend to report higher QoL scores compared with those who were inactive or did not participate. Second, the relationship between the duration of regular participation in adaptive sports and QoL scores exhibited inconsistent results. Third, a multi-component adaptive sports program demonstrates the potential to further improve QoL scores. Last, qualitative investigations reveal that participation in adaptive sports positively influences various domains of well-being in wheelchair users, including encompassing physical and emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, material well-being, personal development, self-determination, and social inclusion.

CONCLUSION

This review provides a comprehensive relationship between adaptive sports participation and QoL of wheelchair users. This study identifies the value of multi-component interventions and demonstrates the diverse positive influences of adaptive sports on well-being.

Development of a pain self-management intervention framework for people with spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

 Pain is the most common reason for medical visits to primary health care practitioners. Pain self-management interventions are encouraged and there is no known self-management intervention framework available that clinicians and people with spinal cord injury (PWSCI) can use to guide treatment selection.

AIM

 This study aimed to develop a pain self-management intervention framework for PWSCI.

SETTING

 Online and facilitated in Gauteng, South Africa.

METHODS

 A three-round modified e-Delphi method was used to reach an 80% consensus among a 21-expert panel. Fifty-nine interventions were distributed via REDCap and a final online audio meeting was held to either include or exclude interventions in the final framework. SPSS v27 was used to analyse descriptive data and content analysis was used for qualitative responses.

RESULTS

 The final developed pain self-management framework consists of 56 interventions and includes interventions from multiple health professions to encompass medical, psychological, therapeutic and social interventions. Interventions are also specified for nociceptive and/or neuropathic pain and grouped according to the biopsychosocial model.

CONCLUSION

 The interprofessional framework may be used as a guideline for PWSCI to alleviate pain, as well as assist health professionals in clinical decision-making, by providing them with the freedom to choose acceptable and adequate interventions that may be appropriate to treat the affected individual's pain.Contribution: Pain management is a basic need at the primary healthcare level and PWSCI need access to the broad range of interventions available to manage their pain. The framework highlights the variety of appropriate interventions to guide both health professionals and PWSCI with pain relief options.

Perspectives of inpatient rehabilitation clinicians on the state of manual wheelchair training: a qualitative analysis

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to identify clinician knowledge regarding manual wheelchair (MWC) training in an inpatient rehabilitation (IPR) setting, identify current MWC education provided to new manual wheelchair users (MWUs), and determine how MWC training resources can be developed or modified to promote use among IPR clinicians.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 licenced IPR clinicians who work with MWUs. Using a traditional qualitative research design, researchers completed open, data-driven coding of interview transcripts. Overarching themes were determined through content analysis.

RESULTS

Participants included 12 physical therapists, six occupational therapists, one physical therapy assistant, and one occupational therapy assistant. Five themes emerged from the interviews: (1) clinician knowledge, education, and experience (2) current training content (3) training environment, (4) desired programme components (5) barriers to implementation. Participants reported receiving minimal education in school and from their employers on training MWUs. While clinicians expressed the importance of MWU education, they used varying training approaches with little standardization. Participants identified that training protocols for IPR are beneficial if they are quick, straightforward, and flexible.

CONCLUSIONS

While MWC training occurs during IPR stays, it appears to be inconsistent across facilities, clinicians, and patients, with varying degrees of adherence to evidence-based practices. This is likely due to limited feasibility and awareness of existing MWC training resources. Clinician input gathered from these interviews provides information for how to best integrate MWC training programmes into the rehabilitative process. Findings may inform the development and assessment of more clinically feasible MWC training protocols. Implications for RehabilitationNew manual wheelchair users must learn numerous wheelchair-related skills in order to participate in everyday life activities.Manual wheelchair education for new users during inpatient rehabilitation is often inconsistent across facilities, clinicians, and patients, with varying degrees of adherence to existing evidence-based practices.Systematic challenges often act as a barrier to the implementation of more comprehensive, structured manual wheelchair training protocols.Manual wheelchair training resources must be concise, flexible, customisable, and easy to follow in order to promote increased implementation among inpatient rehabilitation clinicians.

The Role of Exercise in the Alleviation of Neuropathic Pain Following Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of exercise in neuropathic pain following traumatic spinal cord injuries.

METHODS

The search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science by the end of 2022. Two independent researchers included the articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A standardized mean difference was calculated for each data and they were pooled to calculate an overall effect size. To assess the heterogeneity between studies, I2 and chi-square tests were utilized. In the case of heterogeneity, meta-regression was performed to identify the potential source.

RESULTS

Fifteen preclinical studies were included. Meta-analysis demonstrated that exercise significantly improves mechanical allodynia (standardized mean difference [SMD], -1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.16 to -1.02; p < 0.001; I2 = 90.37%), thermal hyperalgesia (SMD, 1.95; 95% CI, 0.96-2.94; p < 0.001), and cold allodynia (SMD, -2.92; 95% CI, -4.4 to -1.43; p < 0.001). The improvement in mechanical allodynia is significantly more in animals with a compression model of SCI (meta-regression coefficient, -1.33; 95% CI, -1.84 to -0.57; p < 0.001) and in mild SCI (p < 0.001). Additionally, the improvement was more prominent if the training was started 7 to 8 days postinjury (coefficient, -2.54; 95% CI, -3.85 to -1.23; p < 0.001) and was continued every day (coefficient, -1.99; 95% CI, -3.07 to -0.9; p < 0.001). Likewise, voluntary exercise demonstrated a significantly more effect size (coefficient, -1.45; 95% CI, -2.67 to -0.23; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Exercise is effective in the amelioration of neuropathic pain. This effect in mechanical allodynia is more prominent if voluntary, continuous training is initiated in the subacute phase of mild SCI.

Physiotherapy Methods Applied in the Prevention of Functional Loss Associated with Human T-Lymphotropic Virus 1 Infection: An Overview

To achieve the objective of this study, we conducted a narrative review on physical therapeutic modalities applied to prevent functional losses associated with human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) infections to promote health education and viable and accessible alternatives in the development of health education technology adapted to the home environment. This study comprised a qualitative stage of theoretical development to construct a digital booklet with an observational basis based on studies that reiterate themes about educational technologies as tools to conduct a home protocol of guided exercises without the direct supervision of professional physical therapists. Results indicate a lack of research on the development of health education technologies to assist patients with HTLV-1 without tropical spastic paraparesis or HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). We believe that this narrative review can initiate a theoretical framework to conduct a home exercise program aimed at people with HTLV-1 who have subtle symptoms, and also at people without the clinical definition of HAM/TSP, helping to train human resources for care and research on the subject and increase scientific production in physical therapy.

A Systematic Review of the Interventions for Management of Pain in Patients After Spinal Cord Injury

Chronic pain is a very common problem in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) as it affects 80% of these patients, which negatively affects their quality of life. Despite many advantages that exist in the management of any type of pain (neuropathic, nociceptive, mixed) in these patients, there is no cure, and the analgesic effect of some treatments is inadequate. This study aims to conduct an evidence-based systematic review regarding the various interventions used for the management of pain after SCI. The PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and Cochrane Library databases were searched from 1969 to 2023. The risk of bias was assessed using the PEDro scoring system. A total of 57 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. Among the different interventions at present, 18 studies examined the role of oral medications, 11 studies examined the role of minimally invasive methods (injection and infusion), 16 studies investigated physiotherapy and alternative treatments, and 12 studies examined the role of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) in the management of pain in patients after SCI. Gabapentin and pregabalin are very effective in managing chronic neuropathic pain after SCI, and pregabalin also seems to reduce anxiety and sleep disturbances in the patients. It is noteworthy that lamotrigine, valproate, and carbamazepine do not have an analgesic effect, but mirogabalin is a novel and promising drug. Antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors) did not reduce the pain of the patients, although some studies showed an efficacy of amitriptyline especially in depressed patients and tramadol should be considered short-term with caution. Also, tDCS and rTMS reduced pain. Moreover, botulinum toxin type A, lidocaine, ketamine, and intrathecal baclofen significantly reduced pain intensity, although the sample of the studies was small. Physiotherapy and alternative treatments seem to relieve pain, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation had the greatest reduction of pain intensity. In conclusion, several pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical methods exist, which can reduce pain in patients after SCI. The type of intervention can be considered by the physician depending on the patients' preference, age, medical history, type of pain, and associated symptoms. However, more studies with greater samples and with better methodological quality should be conducted.

Efficacy of aquatic therapy in people with spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis. Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a pathological condition that provokes the loss of one or more body functions due to an injury to the spinal cord as a result of trauma or disease. Hydrotherapy plays a key role in the rehabilitation of neurological patients due to the properties of water environments.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of hydrotherapy in patients who suffer from SCIs.

METHODS

We searched 5 different databases: CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro for studies to include. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English were considered. To evaluate the risk of bias, Jadad and PEDro scales were used.

RESULTS

Eleven Randomized Controlled Trials were included, and 3 articles remained to be analyzed. According to the evaluation through Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, one study had a high level of quality. The remaining 2 studies achieved a score indicative of a low level of quality. A total of 71 individuals with SCI were included in the studies; age and level of injury varied in each study. The outcome measures used in the studies were: Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Ashworth scale, CardioTouch 3000 s in sitting position and Quark CPET.

CONCLUSION

The aquatic environment provides a rehabilitation tool able to facilitate movement, physical and cardiovascular exercise, resistance training, and body relaxation.

Blinding and sham control methods in trials of physical, psychological, and self-management interventions for pain (article II): a meta-analysis relating methods to trial results

ABSTRACT

Sham interventions in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of physical, psychological, and self-management (PPS) therapies for pain are highly variable in design and believed to contribute to poor internal validity. However, it has not been formally tested whether the extent to which sham controls resemble the treatment under investigation consistently affects trial outcomes, such as effect sizes, differential attrition, participant expectancy, and blinding effectiveness. Placebo- or sham-controlled RCTs of PPS interventions of clinical pain populations were searched in 12 databases. The similarity of control interventions to the experimental treatment was rated across 25 features. Meta-regression analyses assessed putative links between employed control interventions, observed effect sizes in pain-related outcomes, attrition, and blinding success. The sample included 198 unique control interventions, dominated by manual therapy and chronic musculoskeletal pain research. Meta-analyses indicated small-to-moderate benefits of active treatments over control interventions, across subgroups of manual therapies, exercise, and rehabilitation, and psychological intervention trials. Multiple meta-regression modelling demonstrated that similarity between sham control and tested interventions predicted variability in pain-related outcomes, attrition, and blinding effectiveness. Influential variables were differences relating to the extent of intervention exposure, participant experience, and treatment environments. The results support the supposed link between blinding methods and effect sizes, based on a large and systematically sourced overview of methods. However, challenges to effective blinding are complex and often difficult to discern from trial reports. Nonetheless, these insights have the potential to change trial design, conduct, and reporting and will inform guideline development.

Perceptions of a self-guided web-based exercise programme for shoulder pain after spinal cord injury: A qualitative study

STUDY DESIGN

Qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES

The benefits of exercise to reduce shoulder pain in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) are well documented. Digital health interventions offer a potential solution to overcome barriers to access rehabilitation support for exercise. The aim of this project was to gain people's perspectives to inform the development of a self-guided web-based exercise intervention. Shoulder Pain Intervention delivered over the interNet (SPIN) is a self-guided web-based intervention to prescribe, monitor, and progress evidence-based exercises for people living with SCI and shoulder pain.

SETTING

Community in Auckland, New Zealand.

METHODS

The Person-Based Approach was used as the framework. Using an Interpretive Descriptive methodology, data were collected in individual and focus group interviews, exploring participants' perceptions of this intervention idea. Data were analysed using conventional content analysis.

RESULTS

Sixteen participants took part and asked Is it right for me?. This had three main sub-themes. Should I use it?, whether I believe it will work for me right now; Can I use it?, whether I can operate the intervention competently and confidently and Will I use it?, whether it will be responsive to my unique needs, and keep me coming back.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants expressed their expectations and tipping points when considering using an intervention like this. These findings will inform and guide design and development of an acceptable technology-based intervention to increase the likelihood of engagement with a self-guided web-based exercise programme. The model developed from these themes could be used to inform future self-guided intervention development.

Real-Time Muscle Activity and Joint Range of Motion Monitor to Improve Shoulder Pain Rehabilitation in Wheelchair Basketball Players: A Non-Randomized Clinical Study

Wheelchair basketball (WB) involves sports gestures that expose the shoulder to high biomechanical stress and frequently lead to shoulder pain (SP). Due to their physical peculiarities and sporting performance, these athletes require specific rehabilitation programs that are as fast, personalized and effective as possible. However, there are few studies specifically dedicated to these purposes. Surface electromyography (sEMG) seems a promising tool for better customization and achieving more targeted rehabilitation results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of sEMG to monitor SP rehabilitation outcomes in WB players. Thirty-three athletes were enrolled in this non-randomized clinical study and divided into two groups. Both groups underwent a shoulder rehabilitation protocol, but only the experimental group was monitored in real time with sEMG on the shoulders. At enrollment (T0), at the end of 4 weeks of the rehabilitation program (T1), and 8 weeks after T1 (T2), the following outcome measures were collected: Wheelchair User’s Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI), 20 m straight line test, shoulder abduction range of motion (ROM). There was a statistically significant difference for WUSPI and ROM scores in the comparison between groups (p < 0.001), and for all outcomes in the comparison between times and in the interaction between time and group (p < 0.001). Therefore, the experimental group showed a better improvement at all detection times compared to the control group. sEMG seems a useful tool for improving the monitoring of SP rehabilitation outcomes in WB players. This monitoring speeds up and improves the rehabilitative results, limiting the risk of sport abandonment and increasing the possibility for people with disabilities to quickly return to practice physical activity.

¿CÓMO PREVENIR EL DOLOR DE HOMBRO EN BALONCESTO EN SILLA DE RUEDAS?

Las lesiones del hombro suponen un problema en el baloncesto en silla de ruedas (BSR). El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la eficacia de un programa de ejercicio para el dolor del hombro en jugadoras de máximo nivel de BSR para tras 12 semanas de intervención a lo largo del proceso preparatorio de una competición internacional. Participaron 13 jugadoras de BSR de la Pre-Selección Española Femenina (edad 26.6 ±6.1 años), respondiendo a un cuestionario de DH antes y después del programa de ejercicio, evaluando también el rango de movimiento (RM) y aplicando pruebas funcionales. El DH se redujo significativamente después de la intervención (Z=-2.93, p?0.05, d=0.67), pero sin cambios significativos ni en las pruebas funcionales (p?0.05) ni en el RM (p?0.05). El programa de ejercicio resultó efectivo para la reducción del DH durante el proceso de preparación, lo que influyó de manera positiva en rendimiento deportivo de las jugadoras.

The effects of active upper-limb versus passive lower-limb exercise on quality of life among individuals with motor-complete spinal cord injury

STUDY DESIGN

Multi-centre randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES

(1) compare the effects of arm-cycle ergometry (ACET) and body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on quality of life (QOL) and intermediary variables in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI); (2) examine correlations between baseline measures, and changes in physical activity, QOL, and intermediaries.

SETTING

Hospital-based research institutes (Vancouver, Toronto) and University-based exercise program (Hamilton).

METHODS

35 participants with motor-complete SCI above T6 completed baseline assessments of physical activity, life satisfaction, independence, autonomy, positive and negative affect, and pain. Twenty-eight participants were randomized to 72 sessions of ACET (n = 14) or BWSTT (n = 14) with measures repeated following 36 sessions, 72 sessions, and 6-months post-intervention.

RESULTS

Neither intervention significantly impacted QOL. Pain was reduced in ACET compared to BWSTT (interaction effect p = 0.022) and was significantly less at 72 sessions vs. baseline in the ACET group (p = 0.009). At baseline, QOL was positively correlated with independence, autonomy, and positive affect and negatively correlated with negative affect (all p < 0.05). Following BWSTT, changes in moderate-vigorous physical activity correlated with changes in QOL (r = 0.87, p = 0.010). Following ACET, changes in autonomy and independence were positively correlated with changes in QOL (both r > 0.64, p < 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to previous studies, there was no benefit of either intervention on measures of QOL. The social context of exercise may be important for improving QOL. However, individuals may benefit more from active (ACET) than passive (BWSTT) exercise modalities through reduced pain. Exercise interventions that improve autonomy and independence may lead to improvements in QOL.

Mobility Disability and Exercise: Health Outcomes of an Accessible Community-Based Center

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine how support and guidance provided by trained professionals during a 12-week, community-based transition exercise program, impact health outcomes and continued engagement in physical activity for persons with a mobility disability (PwMD).

Design

A single arm pre-post design was used.

Setting

Accessible community-based health and wellness center.

Participants

The study included 244 PwMD using a mobility device.

Interventions

Participants completed a 12-week transition exercise program provided through an accessible community facility that provided education and support to complete endurance and strength related exercises as well as programming to encourage transition to self-directed engagement in exercise.

Main Outcome Measures

Bodyweight, BMI, pain, perceived exertion, speed, and distance during cardiovascular fitness testing, and strength were measured pre and post exercise program. The number of participants that signed up for a monthly membership after the program was also monitored.

Results

For the total group, average pain reported over previous 30 days decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.01), current daily pain decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.05), perceived exertion at the end of the 9-min endurance test decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.05), and the four upper extremity strength exercises showed large, significant strength gains (p &lt; 0.01) after the program. There was no significant change in bodyweight, BMI, or speed and distance completed during endurance testing. At the completion of the program, 76% of participants enrolled in a monthly membership at the facility with the intentions to continue to exercise regularly.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that an accessible community-based exercise program, with a transitional component supported by trained professionals, can support the exercise goals of PwMD and improve strength, decrease pain, and may promote regular exercise adoption for PwMD.

Comparing the usability of a virtual reality manual wheelchair simulator in two display conditions

Virtual reality (VR) simulators can help train manual wheelchair skills. Transfer of skills from the virtual to the real world may depend on the sense of presence, or of being “in” the virtual environment.

Ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injection for the treatment of recalcitrant rotator cuff disease in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury: A pilot study

Context/Objective: Wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) have a high risk of developing shoulder pain, caused by rotator cuff disease. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a potential treatment after conservative treatments fail and prior to surgical intervention; however, it has not been tested in wheelchair users who have recalcitrant shoulder pain associated with rotator cuff disease. The objective of this pilot project was to test the safety and potential treatment effect of an ultrasound-guided PRP injection for shoulder pain in the aforementioned population.Design: Prospective, quasi-experimental.Setting: Clinical research center.Participants: Six wheelchair users with SCI (3 paraplegia, 3 tetraplegia) who had chronic shoulder pain due to rotator cuff disease (presence of anterior shoulder pain, positive physical examination tests for rotator cuff disease, and tendinopathy demonstrated by ultrasound) and failed at least six months of conservative treatment.Interventions: Ultrasound-guided PRP injection into pathological shoulder tendons, targeting the supraspinatus. Subjects were provided a standardized stretching and strengthening program and were followed for 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks post-intervention with outcomes collected at each time-point.Outcome Measures: Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI); pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS); physical and ultrasound examinations for supraspinatus tendinopathy; 5-point patient global impression of change (PGIC).Results: WUSPI (69.9%, P < 0.001), NRS (49.6%, P < 0.01), and physical exam scores (35.7%, P < 0.01) decreased 24 weeks after treatment. Participants reported overall improvement in their status as a result of the treatment. No adverse events were noted, and no changes in ultrasound markers for tendinopathy were observed.Conclusion: A single, ultrasound-guided PRP injection into the supraspinatus tendon, followed by a stretching and strengthening exercise program, was safe and provided improvements in shoulder pain outcome measures in this sample for 24 weeks. Lack of blinding, short-term follow-up, and a suitable control group warrant a larger randomized controlled trial.Trial Registration: NCT01355549.

The effectiveness of community-based upper body exercise programs in persons with chronic paraplegia and manual wheelchair users: A systematic review

Context: Physical activity has been beneficial to health, functional independence and quality of life in individuals with spinal cord injury. However, there is no consensus concerning the effects of community-based upper-body exercise for people with paraplegia who use a manual wheelchair.Objective: Conduct a systematic review of evidence of upper-body exercise effects able to be developed in a community-setting, on both functional independence and quality of life, for individuals with chronic paraplegia who use a manual wheelchair.Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Ebsco, SportDiscus and Web of Science databases were browsed, searching for studies that combined words as paraplegia, exercise, functional independence and quality of life and their synonyms, published from January/1998 to December/2018 in English. PEDro scale and the Cochrane tool analyzed methodological quality and risk of bias, respectively.Results: Four studies were selected out of 4004. Studies conducted aerobic arm-ergometer and resistance training predominantly at home. Upper-limb functionality and wheelchair propulsion assessed functional independence, but only the first presented positive effects after resistance training. Resistance and aerobic arm-ergometer training seemed to improve health-related and subjective quality of life.Conclusion: Studies have shown low methodological quality and high risk of bias. Aerobic arm-ergometer and resistance training were the most upper-body exercises used. Resistance training improved functional independence while both types of exercise induced positive effects on quality of life. Future studies with uniform and high-quality methodology should be conducted with exercise in community-dwelling people with paraplegia who use a manual wheelchair.

National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop: Physical Activity and Health for Wheelchair Users

Health benefits of physical activity are well recognized in the general population for reducing the risk of chronic health conditions. Less is known about the effects of physical activity on people currently using or who may use wheeled mobility devices in the future, specifically individuals with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injury who are at increased likelihood for use of a wheeled mobility device. On December 1-3, 2020, the National Institutes of Health convened the Pathways to Prevention workshop: "Can Physical Activity Improve the Health of Wheelchair Users?" to consider the available scientific evidence on the clinical benefits and harms of physical activity for people currently using or who may use wheeled mobility devices in the future, with the aim of developing recommendations to fill gaps in the evidence base. A multidisciplinary team of content area experts developed the agenda and an evidence-based practice center prepared the evidence report. An independent panel, selected by the National Institutes of Health, attended the workshop; convened to develop recommendations on the basis of the systematic review, presentations, and public comments received during the workshop; and revised recommendations based on public comments received. This final report summarizes the panel's findings and identifies current gaps in knowledge. The panel made recommendations for new research efforts, including novel methods and new research infrastructure to improve the evidence base about the effects of physical activity on people currently using or who may use wheeled mobility devices in the future.

Musculoskeletal Pain Due to Wheelchair Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Wheelchair users are at a high risk of experiencing non-neuropathic pain of musculoskeletal origin as a result of being wheelchair-bound. The aim of this systematic review was to establish the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in wheelchair users that is attributable to wheelchair use, and to describe the different pain syndromes and discuss risk factors and management options.

METHODS

After a systematic MEDLINE search, we identified 40 papers eligible for inclusion.

RESULTS

The pooled prevalence of musculoskeletal pain at any location was 50% (95% CI 33-67%). The most common pain syndrome was shoulder pain (pooled prevalence 44%, 95% CI 36-52%). Wheelchair users were 5.8 times as likely to suffer from shoulder pain as controls (95% CI 2.7-12.2, p < 0.0001). Other pain syndromes included neck, elbow, wrist, hand and low back pain. Older age and increased duration of wheelchair use were the most significant determinants of pain in wheelchair users.

CONCLUSIONS

Musculoskeletal pain as a result of wheelchair use is very common amongst wheelchair users. Management of pain should follow national and international guidelines. Optimal adjustment of seating position may prevent pain, and is important to be taken into consideration.

Management of spinal cord injury-related pain using complementary alternative medicine: a scoping review protocol

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review will identify complementary alternative medicine methods used to manage spinal cord injury-related pain.

INTRODUCTION

Spinal cord injury-related pain is common, with a third of individuals experiencing severe pain. Conventional interventions are well documented, however, pain relief remains elusive for people with spinal cord injuries. Although complementary alternative medicine is available to alleviate various health problems, little is known about the complementary alternative medicine methods used to manage pain in people with spinal cord injuries.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

This review will consider all studies on complementary alternative medicine treatment methods used by adults with spinal cord injury to treat their associated pain. The concept of interest in this study is complementary alternative medicine. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies, text and opinion papers as well as systematic reviews will be included in this review.

METHODS

A three-step search strategy, consisting of an initial limited search, a full search, and a screening of the reference lists of all included articles will be undertaken. Key information sources to be searched include CINAHL, Cochrane Library, JBI Evidence Synthesis, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, DynaMed, Natural Medicines, HerbMed, Open Dissertations, and OpenGrey. All titles and abstracts of identified citations will be screened and then uploaded to a reference management program. The full text of studies potentially meeting the inclusion criteria will be assessed in detail, and relevant data will be extracted and reported in tabular format, in line with the objectives and scope of the review.

A pilot study to evaluate micro-fragmented adipose tissue injection under ultrasound guidance for the treatment of refractory rotator cuff disease in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury

CONTEXT/OBJECTIVES

Wheelchair users with chronic shoulder pain have few options after conservative treatments fail. This pilot study's purpose was to establish safety and treatment effects of micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) injections under ultrasound guidance for treatment of refractory shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff disease in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) to prepare for a larger trial.

DESIGN

Pilot clinical trial.

SETTING

Rehabilitation hospital outpatient clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

Ten wheelchair users with chronic SCI who had moderate-to-severe shoulder pain caused by refractory rotator cuff disease (diagnosed via ultrasound) for greater than 6 months.

INTERVENTIONS

Ultrasound-guided injections of MFAT into the pathologic rotator cuff tendons and other abnormal shoulder structures (e.g. acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joints; subacromial bursa).

OUTCOME MEASURES

6- and 12-month changes in 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS); Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI); Brief Pain Inventory pain interference items (BPI-I7); Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC); ultrasound and physical exams; and adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no significant adverse events throughout the study period. WUSPI, NRS, and BPI-I7 scores were significantly lower 6 and 12 months post-procedure (P < .05). Of those who remained in the trial, clinically meaningful changes (≥30% decrease) in WUSPI, NRS, and BPI-I7 scores were observed in 77.8%, 77.8%, and 66.7% of participants, respectively. All but one participant reported improvement in clinical status. MFAT injection under ultrasound guidance is potentially a safe and efficacious treatment for refractory shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff disease in wheelchair users with SCI. A larger, randomized controlled trial has been initiated.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03167138.

Treatment of shoulder pain in people with spinal cord injury who use manual wheelchairs: a systematic review and meta-analysis

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis OBJECTIVES: The objective was to summarise prior research regarding the efficacy of active physiotherapy interventions and prevention strategies on shoulder pain, decreased physical function and quality of life in people with a spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in CENTRAL, EMBASE (via Ovid), CINAHL and MEDLINE (via Ovid). Randomised controlled trials investigating effects of active physiotherapy interventions on shoulder pain, physical function and quality of life were included. Further, prospective cohort studies investigating effects of active physiotherapy interventions in prevention of shoulder pain and reduced physical function were included. Mean difference (MD) for pain (15 items on a 0-10 scale) and standardised mean difference (SMD) for physical function were summarised in a random effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Four studies on treatment (totalling 167 participants), and no studies on prevention were included. Significant and clinically meaningful improvements on shoulder pain (MD 19.06, 95% CI 5.72-32.40; I² = 65%) (scale 0-150) and physical function (SMD 0.61, 95% CI 0.27-0.94; I² = 0%) were found for active physiotherapy interventions. Only one study included quality of life, making meta-analysis inappropriate.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence from a sparse number of studies supports active physiotherapy interventions to decrease shoulder pain and increase physical function in people with SCI who use a manual wheelchair. No studies met the criteria for prevention, highlighting a lack of research investigating prevention of shoulder pain and decreased physical function and quality of life.

Relationship between pain, fatigue, and physical activity levels during a technology-based physical activity intervention

Objective: The majority of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience chronic pain. Chronic pain can be difficult to manage because of variability in the underlying pain mechanisms. More insight regarding the relationship between pain and physical activity (PA) is necessary to understand pain responses during PA. The objective of this study is to explore possible relationships between PA levels and secondary conditions including pain and fatigue.Design: Prospective cohort analysis of a pilot study.Setting: Community.Participants: Twenty individuals with SCI took part in the study, and sixteen completed the study.Interventions: Mobile-health (mHealth) based PA intervention for two-months during the three-month study.Outcome measures: Chronic Pain Grade Scale (CPGS) questionnaire, The Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and PA levels measured by the mHealth system.Results: A positive linear relationship was found between light-intensity PA and task-specific pain. However, the relationship between moderate-intensity PA and pain interference was best represented by a curvilinear relationship (polynomial regression of second order). Light-intensity PA showed positive, linear correlation with fatigue at baseline. Moderate-intensity PA was not associated with fatigue during any phase of the study.Conclusion: Our results indicated that PA was associated with chronic pain, and the relationship differed based on intensity and amount of PA performed. Further research is necessary to refine PA recommendations for individuals with SCI who experience chronic pain.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03773692.

Shoulder Pain Prevention Program for Manual Wheelchair Users With Paraplegia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives: To compare prevalence of shoulder pain (SP) onset over 3 years for individuals with paraplegia from spinal cord injury who participate in one of two shoulder pain prevention program (SPPP) formats with that of a similar population without intervention, and to compare exercise adherence between two SPPP formats. Methods: The randomized clinical trial (compared to historical controls) included a volunteer sample of 100 individuals without SP at study entry. Eighty-seven participants returned for assessments at 18 and 36 months after study entry. Control group included 220 volunteers from a 3-year observational study with identical inclusion criteria. SPPPs included shoulder home exercises and recommendations to improve mobility techniques that are effective in reducing existing SP in this population. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either one instruction session and a refresher session 4 weeks later with a physical therapist or a 4-week series of 2-hour group classes taught by a physical therapist and peer mentor. Prevalence of SP onset at 18 and 36 months and self-reported average weekly exercise frequency were the main outcome measures. Results: SP onset was identical in the two SPPPs but was significantly lower at 18 and 36 months in both groups (11% and 24%) compared to controls (27% and 40%, p < .05). Self-reported average weekly exercise frequency was similar between intervention groups but was significantly lower during the first 4 months in participants who developed SP compared to those without pain (2.12 ± 1.0 vs. 3.01 ± 1.13, p < .05). Conclusion: SPPPs reduced SP onset prevalence regardless of instruction format. Exercise adherence was important to the outcome of shoulder pain.

Treatments that are perceived to be helpful for non-neuropathic pain after traumatic spinal cord injury: a multicenter cross-sectional survey

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to identify the treatments that people with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) used for their non-neuropathic pains (nonNeuPs) and how they subjectively rated the helpfulness of those treatments.

SETTING

Six centers from the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems.

METHODS

Three hundred ninety one individuals who were at least 1-year post-traumatic SCI were enrolled. A telephone survey was conducted for pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments utilized in the last 12 months for each participant's three worst pains and the perceived helpfulness of each treatment for each pain.

RESULTS

One hundred ninety (49%) participants reported at least one nonNeuP (Spinal Cord Injury Pain Instrument score < 2) in the previous 7 days. NSAIDs/aspirin, acetaminophen, opioids, and cannabinoids were the most commonly used and helpful pharmacologic treatments for overall nonNeuP locations (helpful in 77-89% of treated pains). Body position adjustment, passive exercise, massage, resistive exercise, and heat therapy were reported as the most commonly used non-pharmacological treatments for nonNeuPs. Heat therapy, aerobic exercise, massage, and body position adjustment were the most helpful non-pharmacological treatments for overall nonNeuP locations (helpful in 71-80% of treated pains). Perceived helpfulness of treatments varied by pain locations, which may be due to different mechanisms underlying pains in different locations.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of the study may help guide clinicians in selecting pain-specific treatments for nonNeuPs. The self-reported helpfulness of heat therapy, exercise, and massage suggests a possible direction for clinical trials investigating these treatments of nonNeuP while limiting the side effects accompanying pharmacologic treatments.

A Primary Care Provider's Guide to Shoulder Pain After Spinal Cord Injury

Shoulder pain is a common occurrence after spinal cord injury (SCI) and can have significant negative effects on health and function as many individuals with SCI are reliant on their upper extremities for mobility and self-care activities. Shoulder pain after SCI can be caused by acute injury or chronic pathology, but it is most often related to overuse injuries of the rotator cuff. Both acute strain and chronic overuse shoulder injuries in persons with SCI typically result from increased weight bearing on the upper extremities during transfers, weight-relief raises, and wheelchair propulsion, which are often performed in poor postural alignment owing to strength deficits. This article discusses management of patients with SCI who present with shoulder pain from the perspective of primary care physicians including evaluation and diagnostic procedures, interventions appropriate for both acute and chronic shoulder pain, and strategies for prevention.

Electromyography-Driven Exergaming in Wheelchairs on a Mobile Platform: Bench and Pilot Testing of the WOW-Mobile Fitness System

BACKGROUND

Implementing exercises in the form of video games, otherwise known as exergaming, has gained recent attention as a way to combat health issues resulting from sedentary lifestyles. However, these exergaming apps have not been developed for exercises that can be performed in wheelchairs, and they tend to rely on whole-body movements.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to develop a mobile phone app that implements electromyography (EMG)-driven exergaming, to test the feasibility of using this app to enable people in wheelchairs to perform exergames independently and flexibly in their own home, and to assess the perceived usefulness and usability of this mobile health system.

METHODS

We developed an Android mobile phone app (Workout on Wheels, WOW-Mobile) that senses upper limb muscle activity (EMG) from wireless body-worn sensors to drive 3 different video games that implement upper limb exercises designed for people in wheelchairs. Cloud server recordings of EMG enabled long-term monitoring and feedback as well as multiplayer gaming. Bench testing of data transmission and power consumption were tested. Pilot testing was conducted on 4 individuals with spinal cord injury. Each had a WOW-Mobile system at home for 8 weeks. We measured the minutes for which the app was used and the exergames were played, and we integrated EMG as a measure of energy expended. We also conducted a perceived usefulness and usability questionnaire.

RESULTS

Bench test results revealed that the app meets performance specifications to enable real-time gaming, cloud storage of data, and live cloud server transmission for multiplayer gaming. The EMG sampling rate of 64 samples per second, in combination with zero-loss data communication with the cloud server within a 10-m range, provided seamless control over the app exergames and allowed for offline data analysis. Each participant successfully used the WOW-Mobile system at home for 8 weeks, using the app for an average of 146 (range 89-267) minutes per week with the system, actively exergaming for an average of 53% of that time (39%-59%). Energy expenditure, as measured by integrated EMG, was found to be directly proportional to the time spent on the app (Pearson correlation coefficient, r=0.57-0.86, depending on the game). Of the 4 participants, 2 did not exercise regularly before the study; these 2 participants increased from reportedly exercising close to 0 minutes per week to exergaming 58 and 158 minutes on average using the WOW-Mobile fitness system. The perceived usefulness of WOW-Mobile in motivating participants to exercise averaged 4.5 on a 5-point Likert scale and averaged 5 for the 3 participants with thoracic level injuries. The mean overall ease of use score was 4.25 out of 5.

CONCLUSIONS

Mobile app exergames driven by EMG have promising potential for encouraging and facilitating fitness for individuals in wheelchairs who have maintained arm and hand mobility.

Pain and its impact on functioning and disability in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury: a protocol for a mixed-methods study

INTRODUCTION

Approximately 80% of people with spinal cord injury experience clinically significant chronic pain. Pain (whether musculoskeletal or neuropathic) is consistently rated as one of the most difficult problems to manage and negatively affects the individual's physical, psychological and social functioning and increases the risk of pain medication misuse and poor mental health. The aim of this study is to therefore determine the presence of pain and its impact on functioning and disability as well as to develop a framework for self-management of pain for South African manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Community-dwelling participants with spinal cord injury will be invited to participate in this three-phase study. Phase 1 will use a quantitative, correlational design to determine factors related to pain such as pectoralis minor length, scapular dyskinesis, wheelchair functioning, physical quality of life, community reintegration and pain medication misuse. Demographic determinants of pain such as age, gender, type of occupation, completeness of injury and neurological level of injury will also be investigated. Participants with pain identified in phase 1 will be invited to partake in a qualitative descriptive and contextually designed phase 2 to explore their lived experience of pain through in-depth interviews. The results of phases 1 and 2 will then be used with the assistance from experts to develop a framework for self-management of pain using a modified Delphi study. Data analysis will include descriptive and inferential statistics (quantitative data) and thematic content analysis (qualitative data).

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Approval for this study is granted by the Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee of the University of the Pretoria (approval number 125/2018). This study is registered with the South African National Health Research Database (reference GP201806005). This study's findings will be shared in academic conferences and published in scientific peer-reviewed journals.

Effect of wheelchair-modified rowing exercise on cardiometabolic risk factors in spinal cord injured wheelchair users: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are a growing concern for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Physical inactivity contributes to cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality in the SCI population. However, previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the effects of exercise on cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with SCI. This discrepancy could be influenced by insufficient exercise stimuli. Recent guidelines recommend 30 min of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic exercise, three times per week, for improvement in cardiometabolic health in individuals with SCI. However, to date, no studies have implemented an exercise intervention matching the new recommendations to examine the effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to determine the effects of 12 weeks of wheelchair user-modified upper-body rowing exercise on both traditional (constituents of the metabolic syndrome) and novel (eg, vascular structure and function) cardiometabolic risk factors in manual wheelchair users with SCI.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A randomised controlled trial will compare 12 weeks of upper-body rowing exercise, 30 min three times per week, with a control group continuing their normal lifestyle. Outcome measurements will be performed immediately before (baseline), after 6 weeks (halfway), 12 weeks of training (post) and 6 months after the termination of the intervention period (follow-up). Outcomes will include inflammatory (eg, C reactive protein) and metabolic biomarkers determined from venous blood (with serum fasting insulin as primary outcome), body composition, arterial blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness level, brachial artery vascular structure and function and autonomic nervous system function.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This trial is reported to the Danish Data Protection Agency (J.nr. 2019-899/10-0406) and approved by the Committees on Health Research Ethics in The North Denmark Region on 12 December 2019 (J.nr. N-20190053). The principal investigator will collect written informed consent from all participants prior to inclusion. Irrespective of study outcomes, the results will be submitted to peer-reviewed scientific journals for publication.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04390087.

Physical activity interventions, chronic pain, and subjective well-being among persons with spinal cord injury: a systematic scoping review

STUDY DESIGN

Scoping review of experimental and quasi-experimental studies.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically synthesize research testing the effects of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) interventions on chronic pain and subjective well-being (SWB) among adults with spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS

Literature searches were conducted using multiple databases (Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, Medline, PsychINFO and SPORTDiscus) to identify studies involving persons with SCI that measured and reported the effects of LTPA interventions on both chronic pain and at least one measure of SWB (e.g., affect, life satisfaction, satisfaction with various life domains). Relevant data were extracted from the studies and synthesized.

RESULTS

A total of 3494 articles were screened. Fifteen published articles, consisting of 12 different studies met the review inclusion criteria. Four different patterns of findings were observed regarding the effect of LTPA on chronic pain and SWB outcomes: (1) increased chronic pain, decreased SWB (1 article); (2) decreased chronic pain, improved SWB (12 articles); (3) increased chronic pain, improved SWB (1 article); and (4) unchanged levels of pain, improved SWB (1 article).

CONCLUSIONS

Results of most articles included in this scoping review suggest that LTPA interventions can reduce chronic pain and improve SWB for persons with SCI. Further research is needed to identify the mechanisms by which LTPA affects pain and SWB, in order to formulate LTPA prescriptions that maximize improvements in these outcomes.

Shoulder impairment and pain of individuals with newly acquired spinal cord injury compared to uninjured peers

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study.

OBJECTIVES

Shoulder pain prevalence is high in those with spinal cord injury (SCI) and is associated with decreased function, participation restrictions and decreased quality of life. Limited evidence exists regarding physical impairments of newly acquired SCI. The current study compared musculoskeletal factors at rehabilitation initiation in individuals with newly acquired SCI to uninjured individuals. We hypothesized no impairment differences of shoulder pain, strength, mobility, muscle extensibility, or rotator cuff integrity would exist between groups.

SETTING

Multi-site laboratory setting.

METHODS

Thirty-five individuals with newly acquired SCI and age and gender-matched controls without SCI (n = 34) participated. Musculoskeletal Pain Survey, shoulder range of motion (ROM), strength, pectoralis minor muscle extensibility (PM) and tissue integrity [Ultrasound Pathology Rating Scale (USPRS)] were obtained.

RESULTS

Higher pain was reported by individuals experiencing new SCI along with lower strength across all bilateral measures, reduced elevation, external rotation, and horizontal adduction ROM, with large effect sizes. PM bilateral extensibility was reduced compared to controls, with moderate between group effect size; however, no USPRS score difference existed.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided the first comprehensive clinical description for individuals with newly acquired SCI. In comparison to matched uninjured controls, participants with new SCI reported greater shoulder pain with impairments in mobility, strength, and extensibility. The identified early clinical impairments aligned with progressive impairment including further pain development and persistence. Awareness and modification of these early clinical impairments may lead to improved long-term outcomes, improving the overall health and well-being of individuals with newly acquired SCI.

SPONSORSHIP

Spinal Cord Injury Research Program Investigator-Initiated Research Award under Award No. W81XWH-17-1-0476.

Effects of Home Exercises on Shoulder Pain and Pathology in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to replicate findings that a home exercise program intervention improved shoulder pain and function and to assess changes in supraspinatus tendon pathology associated with the home exercise program in persons with chronic spinal cord injury.

DESIGN

The study is a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Individuals with spinal cord injury of at least 1 yr and chronic shoulder pain of moderate or greater average intensity were enrolled. Participants were randomized to a 12-wk home exercise program consisting of strengthening and stretching exercises or to an education-only control group, with immediate postintervention and 4-wk postintervention (16 wks) follow-ups. The main outcome measures were self-report measures of shoulder pain and impairment, the Physical Examination of the Shoulder Scale, quantitative ultrasound metrics of the supraspinatus tendon, and the Ultrasound Shoulder Pathology Rating Scale.

RESULTS

Thirty-two participants were randomized to home exercise program or education-only control condition. The mean ± SD age was 44.8 ± 12.5; 81.3% were male; 65.6% had motor complete paraplegia. Using a per-protocol, within-group analysis method, significant differences were observed between baseline and postintervention for the home exercise program group for the least pain intensity (P = 0.02), number of days with shoulder pain (P = 0.042), Physical Examination of the Shoulder Scale scores (dominant side, P = 0.036; nondominant side, P = 0.008), the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (P = 0.028), and the Patient Global Impression of Change (P = 0.015). The education-only control condition group demonstrated significant changes in average unpleasantness of shoulder pain after the intervention period (P = 0.049). Comparisons in changes from baseline between groups showed that the home exercise program group had greater improvements in nondominant-side Physical Examination of the Shoulder Scale scores and global impression of change, whereas the education-only control condition group had greater improvements in depressive symptoms.For quantitative ultrasound measures, no significant changes were found with within-group analyses for the home exercise program group, although the education-only control condition group demonstrated a decrease in tendon width in the nondominant-side supraspinatus tendon (P = 0.036). Comparison of changes between groups suggests that the education-only control condition group had a greater increase in dominant shoulder supraspinatus tendon ultrasound contrast at the end of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in several measures of shoulder pain and function occurred after the home exercise program intervention, although the magnitude of changes was only significantly greater than those of the education-only control condition group for two measures. Significant changes in supraspinatus pathology were not detected with quantitative ultrasound metrics.

A tele-health intervention to increase physical fitness in people with spinal cord injury and cardiometabolic disease or risk factors: a pilot randomized controlled trial

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES

We used a single-blind parallel-group design to test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a telehealth-based physical activity counseling intervention to increase physical fitness in people with SCI.

SETTING

Seattle, Washington, United States.

METHODS

We recruited under-active, manual wheelchair-using adults at least 1-year post-SCI who had at least two cardiometabolic risk factors/diseases. Participants underwent baseline tests of peak cardiorespiratory fitness; lipids, glucose and insulin; muscle and fat mass; self-reported physical activity, depression, pain and other factors. Participants were assigned 1:1 to treatment vs. usual care (UC) control conditions via concealed computerized randomization. Treatment was delivered via telephone and adapted from the 16-session Diabetes Prevention Program. All baseline tests were repeated at 6 months. Prespecified feasibility goals were to recruit at least nine participants/quarter and retain 85% with complete fitness testing at 6 months. Prespecified efficacy goals were to demonstrate at least a medium treatment effect size (0.50) on fitness, self-reported physical activity, and other outcomes.

RESULTS

Seven participants were randomized to treatment, 8 to UC over 15 months. Maximum recruitment was only 5.4 participants/quarter. Thirteen (87%) of participants were retained. The effects of treatment on fitness and most cardiometabolic risk factors did not meet expectations, whereas the effects on self-reported physical activity, depression, and pain did meet expectations.

CONCLUSIONS

The study did not meet key efficacy and feasibility objectives, yet there were some promising effects on self-report measures and lessons to be learned for designing future trials.

Association of musculoskeletal pain, fear-avoidance factors, and quality of life in active manual wheelchair users with SCI: A pilot study

Objective: Limited evidence examines the association of psychological factors, such as fear of movement and pain catastrophizing, with musculoskeletal pain patterns in active manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI). This study investigated the relationship among musculoskeletal pain, fear avoidance factors, quality of life (QoL), activity and duration of injury in individuals with SCI. Design: Cross-sectional correlational. Setting: Community setting. Participants: Twenty-six individuals with SCI (age = 42 ± 14 years, duration manual wheelchair use = 17 ± 13 years, work/school/volunteer hours/week = 31 ± 14; recreation/sports hours/week 10 ± 12). Outcome Measures: Demographics and self-report measures including the Musculoskeletal Pain Survey (MPS), Wheelchair Users Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Fear of Pain (FPQ), Subjective Quality of Life Questionnaire (SQoL), and the Social Interaction Inventory (SII). Spearman's rho (ρ) assessed correlation among measures. Results: Strong association existed between age and duration of injury (ρ = 0.66, P < 0.001). SQoL offered a strong, direct correlation with age (ρ = 0.63, P = 0.01), duration of injury (ρ = 0.70, P = 0.001), and strong, inverse relationship with MPStotal (ρ = -0.66, P = 0.003) and MPS shoulder subscore (ρ = -0.64, P = 0.004). WUSPI demonstrated strong, inverse association with self-reported work hours (ρ = -0.52, P = 0.02) and a strong, direct relationship to PCS (ρ = 0.79, P = <0001). PCS demonstrated a strong, inverse relationship to work/school/volunteer hours (ρ = 0.71, P < 0.001) and strong association to TSK-11_total (ρ = 0.61, P = 0.001). A moderate, inverse relationship was identified for recreational/sports hours and FPQ (ρ = 0.48, P = 0.03). Conclusion: This cyclical relationship of musculoskeletal pain, reduced activity, and maladaptive psychological factors allude to interdependence of factors, supporting the multidisciplinary approach to care.

A pragmatic randomized controlled trial testing the effects of the international scientific SCI exercise guidelines on SCI chronic pain: protocol for the EPIC-SCI trial

STUDY DESIGN

Protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (the Exercise guideline Promotion and Implementation in Chronic SCI [EPIC-SCI] Trial).

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

To test if home-/community-based exercise, prescribed according to the international SCI exercise guidelines, significantly reduces chronic bodily pain in adults with SCI.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES

To investigate: (1) the effects of exercise on musculoskeletal and neuropathic chronic pain; (2) if reduced inflammation and increased descending inhibitory control are viable pathways by which exercise reduces pain; (3) the effects of chronic pain reductions on subjective well-being; and (4) efficiency of a home-/community-based exercise intervention.

SETTING

Exercise in home-/community-based settings; assessments in university-based laboratories in British Columbia, Canada.

METHOD

Eighty-four adults with chronic SCI, reporting chronic musculoskeletal or neuropathic pain, and not meeting the current SCI exercise guidelines, will be recruited and randomized to a 6-month Exercise or Wait-List Control condition. Exercise will occur in home/community settings and will be supported through behavioral counseling. All measures will be taken at baseline, 3-months and 6-months. Analyses will consist of linear mixed effect models, multiple regression analyses and a cost-utility analysis. The economic evaluation will examine the incremental costs and health benefits generated by the intervention compared with usual care.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The University of British Columbia Clinical Research Ethics Board approved the protocol (#H19-01650). Using an integrated knowledge translation approach, stakeholders will be engaged throughout the trial and will co-create and disseminate evidence-based recommendations and messages regarding the use of exercise to manage SCI chronic pain.

Start-up propulsion biomechanics changes with fatiguing activity in persons with spinal cord injury

Objective: Shoulder pathology is a common condition in wheelchair users that can considerably impact quality of life. Shoulder muscles are prone to fatigue, but it is unclear how fatigue affects start-up propulsion biomechanics. This study determines acute changes in start-up wheelchair propulsion biomechanics at the end of a fatiguing propulsion protocol. Design: Quasi-experimental one-group pretest-postest design. Setting: Biomechanics laboratory. Participants: Twenty-six wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (age: 35.5 ± 9.8 years, sex: 73% males and 73% with a paraplegia). Interventions: Protocol of 15 min including maximum voluntary propulsion, right- and left turns, full stops, start-up propulsion, and rests. Outcome measures: Maximum resultant force, maximum rate of rise of applied force, mean velocity, mean fraction of effective force, and mean contact time at the beginning and end of the protocol during start-up propulsion. Results: There was a significant reduction in maximum resultant force (P < 0.001) and mean velocity (P < 0.001) at the end of the protocol. Also, contact time was reduced in the first stroke of start-up propulsion (P < 0.001). Finally, propelling with a shorter contact time was associated with a greater reduction in performance (maximum velocity) at the end of the protocol. Conclusion: There are clear changes in overground propulsion biomechanics at the end of a fatiguing propulsion protocol. While reduced forces could protect the shoulder, these reduced forces come with shorter contact times and lower velocity. Investigating changes in start-up propulsion biomechanics with fatigue could provide insight into injury risk.

Managing shoulder pain in manual wheelchair users: a scoping review of conservative treatment interventions

Objective:

To review the literature that has explored conservative treatments for the management of shoulder pain in manual wheelchair users.

Methods:

Five databases were systematically searched in february 2020 for terms related to shoulder pain and manual wheelchair use. Articles were screened and included if they investigated the conservative treatment of shoulder pain in wheelchair users. Participants’ physical characteristics, experimental design and primary and secondary outcome measures were extracted from studies. Studies were grouped according to treatment type to identify gaps in the literature and guide future research.

Results:

The initial search identified 407 articles, of which 21 studies met the inclusion criteria. Exercise-based treatment interventions were most prevalent (n = 12). A variety of exercise modalities were employed such as strengthening and stretching (n = 7), ergometer training (n = 3), Pilates classes (n = 1) and functional electrical stimulation (n = 1). Only three studies supplemented exercise with an additional treatment type. The Wheelchair Users Shoulder Pain Index was used by 18 studies as the primary measure of shoulder pain. Only seven of these included an objective measure of shoulder function. Participant characteristics varied among studies, and physical activity levels were frequently not reported.

Conclusions:

Despite the high prevalence of shoulder pain in manual wheelchair users, the number of studies to have explored conservative treatment types is low. Exercise is the most commonly used treatment, which is encouraging as physical inactivity can exacerbate other health conditions. Few studies have adopted interdisciplinary treatment strategies or included objective secondary measures to better understand the mechanisms of pain.

Therapeutic Interventions to Improve Mobility with Spinal Cord Injury Related Upper Motor Neuron Syndromes

Mobility is essential for quality of life and social participation. Some individuals with spinal cord injury have sufficient residual lower extremity motor control to walk. Improving walking function incorporates practice and training, and assistive devices or stimulation to augment function and balance. Overground robotic exoskeletons may have the potential to transform upright mobility in the future. Most individuals with spinal cord injury use a wheelchair for at least some of their mobility needs. Wheelchair skills training can open up new possibilities for participation. Regardless of the means of mobility, developing habits that protect joint health are essential for optimal lifelong mobility.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Trunk Musculature and Intervertebral Discs in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury with Thoracolumbar Vertebral Fractures: A Prospective Study

Study Design

This study is a prospective clinical study.

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of trunk musculature and intervertebral discs by using magnetic resonance imaging in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) with thoracic and lumbar fractures.

Overview of Literature

Muscle atrophy is an immediate consequence of SCI and is associated with secondary complications. At present, there are limited clinical data on muscle and disc responses to fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine.

Methods

A total of 51 patients with a mean age of 31.75±10.42 years who suffered traumatic SCI were included in this study. Complete neurological examinations (American Spinal Injury Association grading) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed at the time of admission and at 3–6 months after injury to study the neurological status and disc and trunk parameters. The type of management (operative or conservative) was decided on the basis of clinical, radiological, and MRI evaluations, and a robust rehabilitation program was initiated.

Results

Disc parameters including disc angle, skin angle, cross-sectional area (CSA), and disc height and trunk parameters (mean trunk width, mean trunk depth, and CSA of the lumbar muscles) decreased significantly (p <0.001) during the first 3 months after SCI. However, improvements were observed in disc and muscle parameters at the 6-month follow-up, but these parameters did not return to normal levels. Neither initial neurological status (complete vs. incomplete) nor type of management (operative vs. conservative) had a significant effect on these parameters.

Conclusions

Spinal trauma leads to alterations in the morphology of the vertebral column, spinal cord, intervertebral discs, and paraspinal muscles in the initial phase of injury. The extent of these changes may determine the initial neurological deficit and subsequent recovery. Although this study did not identify any statistically significant effect of neurological status or management strategy on these parameters, rehabilitation was found to result in the improvement of these parameters in the later phase of recovery. Future studies are required to evaluate the exact causes of these alterations and the potential benefits of rehabilitation strategies and to minimize these changes.

The effects of 10,000 voluntary contractions over 8 weeks on the strength of very weak muscles in people with spinal cord injury: a randomised controlled trial

Study design

A multi-centred, single-blinded randomised controlled trial.

Objectives

To determine the effect of 10,000 voluntary contractions over 8 weeks on the strength of very weak muscles in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Settings

Seven hospitals in Australia and Asia.

Methods

One hundred and twenty people with recent SCI undergoing inpatient rehabilitation were randomised to either a Treatment or Control Group. One major muscle group from an upper or lower limb was selected if the muscle had grade 1 or grade 2 strength on a standard six-point manual muscle test. Participants allocated to the Treatment Group performed 10,000 isolated contractions of the selected muscle group, as well as usual care in 48 sessions over 8 weeks. Participants allocated to the Control Group received usual care alone. Participants were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks by a blinded assessor. The primary outcome was voluntary muscle strength on a 13-point manual muscle test. There were three secondary outcomes capturing therapists’ and participants’ perceptions of strength and function.

Results

The mean between-group difference of voluntary strength at 8 weeks was 0.4/13 points (95% confidence interval −0.5 to 1.4) in favour of the Treatment Group. There were no notable between-group differences on any secondary outcome.

Conclusion

Ten thousand isolated contractions of very weak muscles in people with SCI over 8 weeks has either no or a very small effect on voluntary strength.

Development of a self-guided web-based exercise intervention (SPIN) to treat shoulder pain in people living with spinal cord injury: protocol of a mixed methods study

INTRODUCTION

Chronic shoulder pain is common after spinal cord injury (SCI) and limits community mobility. This leads to loss of independence and reduced quality of life. Evidence suggests that exercises can help reduce shoulder pain. However, cost, expertise and transport barriers frequently limit access to treatment services. The objective of this study is to develop an evidence-based, acceptable, usable and persuasive self-guided web-based exercise intervention to treat shoulder pain in people living with SCI.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

An iterative and phased person-based approach (PBA) will capture users' perspectives on usability and acceptability to develop guiding principles that will shape the design of the intervention. The intervention will be based on key elements identified through participant input and from evidence identified through systematic and narrative reviews, to ensure the intervention addresses participants' needs and increase the likelihood of uptake. The prototype will be iteratively refined through focus groups and think-aloud sessions. Review data will be synthesised drawing on systematic and narrative review conventions. Qualitative data will be analysed using conventional content analysis (planning phase) and directed content analysis (development phase) to inform intervention design and refinement.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval has been granted by the Auckland University of Technology Ethics Committee (AUTEC) in Auckland, New Zealand. The results of the study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at relevant national and international conferences. A summary of findings will be presented to key stakeholder groups. We will progress to a definitive trial should the findings from this intervention development study indicate the intervention is acceptable and usable.

Effect of a Home-based Exercise Program on Shoulder Pain and Range of Motion in Elite Wheelchair Basketball Players: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of a 10 week shoulder home based exercise program (SHEP) on shoulder pain (SP) and range of motion (ROM) in a group of elite wheelchair basketball (WB) players. A convenience sample of elite WB players (n = 36, 15 males and 21 females), mean age of 26 years (SD 7.6, range 15–45)) were assigned to either an exercise or a control group, according to the use of the wheelchair during daily activities. The shoulder pain index for wheelchair basketball players (SPI-WB), functional tests and ROM were measured at baseline and after a 10 week intervention. In the analysis of the SPI-WB scores, for the exercise and control groups separately, there were no significant reductions of SPI-WB scores after intervention. Related to the analysis between groups after 10 weeks of intervention, there were no significant differences in changes between the exercise and control groups (Z = 0.840, p > 0.05, r = 0.743). In this regard, there was a significant change after the intervention for shoulder extension ROM (Z = 2.81, p ≤ 0.05, r = 0.249). Shoulder Pain did not increase along the 10 weeks of the SHEP development in WB players who reported SP before the intervention program. However, in those players who started the intervention without SP, as no increase in SP was observed and players were free of injury. An exercise program could be a tool to maintain shoulder health and prevent injuries in elite WB players.

Autologous, micro-fragmented adipose tissue as a treatment for chronic shoulder pain in a wheelchair using individual with spinal cord injury: a case report

Introduction

Shoulder pain is common in persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), with a prevalence reported as high as 70%. Current treatment of shoulder pain includes conservative measures such as physical therapy, pain medications, patient education, injections, and assistive devices. When conservative treatments fail, shoulder surgery is often the next option. Unfortunately, outcomes after shoulder surgery in persons with SCI are limited and conflicting.

Case presentation

This is a case of a 54-year-old right-handed male with T10 complete SCI (duration of injury = 10 years) who had a complaint of right-sided shoulder pain for 3 years. The individual used a manual wheelchair as his primary means of mobility and was an avid weight-lifter. Physical examination and MRI demonstrated a rotator cuff tear and degenerative changes of the acromioclavicular joint. He was previously managed conservatively with physical therapy and intermittent corticosteroid injections but failed to improve. He was enrolled in an IRB approved study and underwent an ultrasound-guided injection with autologous, micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) and ultimately received improvements in pain and function that were maintained a year after treatment.

Discussion

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of treatment of chronic refractory shoulder pain in a person with SCI using MFAT. Complete relief from pain was maintained at the 1-year follow-up. Injection of MFAT under ultrasound guidance is an effective and promising treatment for chronic refractory shoulder pain in upper limb-dependent persons with SCI and warrants further research.

Shoulder Rehabilitation Protocol and Equipment Fit Recommendations for the Wheelchair Sport Athlete With Shoulder Pain

Shoulder injuries in wheelchair sport athletes is the most commonly reported injury site and can directly impact not only sport performance, but everyday function and mobility. There is abundant research on shoulder rehabilitation for able bodied athletes, but minimal specifically related to wheelchair sport athletes. The purpose of this paper is to outline an exercise protocol and wheelchair sport equipment fit guidelines based off current research and expert opinion. Further research is needed on the effectiveness of a wheelchair athlete specific shoulder rehabilitation protocol, and biomechanical analysis of ideal wheelchair sport equipment fit to reduce shoulder injury and optimize performance.

Pain profiles in a community dwelling population following spinal cord injury: a national survey

CONTEXT

While as many as 60% of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) develop chronic pain, limited data currently exists on the prevalence and profile of pain post-SCI in community dwelling populations.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional population survey.

SETTING

Primary care.

PARTICIPANTS

Community dwelling adults with SCI.

METHODS

Following ethical approval members registered to a national SCI database (n=1,574) were surveyed. The survey included demographic and SCI characteristics items, the International Spinal Cord Injury Pain Basic Data Set (version 1) the Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire (interview) and questions relating to health care utilisation. Data were entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 20) Significance was set P < 0.05 for between group comparisons.

RESULTS

In total 643 (41%) surveys were returned with 458 (71%) respondents experiencing pain in the previous week. Neuropathic pain (NP) was indicated in 236 (37%) of responses and nociceptive pain in 206 (32%) Common treatments for pain included medications n=347 (76%) massage n=133 (29%) and heat n=115 (25%). Respondents with NP reported higher pain intensities and increased healthcare service utilisation (P= < 0.001) when compared to those with nociceptive pain presentations. A higher proportion of females than males reported pain (P = 0.003) and NP (P = 0.001) and those unemployed presented with greater NP profiles compared with those in education or employment (P = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Pain, in particular NP post SCI interferes with daily life, increases health service utilisation and remains refractory to current management strategies. Increased availability of multi-disciplinary pain management and further research into management strategies is warranted.

The Neuro-Orthopaedic Approach

Upper motor neuron disease or injury can lead to muscle spasticity or nonfunction throughout the body. Imbalance in muscle forces predisposes patients to development of functional deficiencies, contractures, pain, and poor hygiene. The approach to neuro-orthopaedic patients is by necessity multidisciplinary, because a variety of nonsurgical and surgical options are available. In evaluating each patient, surgeons must consider the extent and quality of any deformity, potential for improvement in function, the ability to alleviate pain, and potential for improvement in hygiene and cosmesis. Surgical techniques include tendon lengthenings, releases, transfers, osteotomies, and bony fusions.