Effect of Different Forms of Activity-Based Recovery Training on Bladder, Bowel, and Sexual Function After Spinal Cord Injury.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the urogenital and bowel functional gains previously demonstrated post-locomotor step training after chronic spinal cord injury could have been derived due to weight-bearing alone or from exercise in general. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study; pilot trial with small sample size. SETTING: Urogenital and bowel scientific core facility at a rehabilitation institute and spinal cord injury research center in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Men and women (N=22) with spinal cord injury (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grades of A-D) participated in this study. INTERVENTIONS: Approximately 80 daily 1-hour sessions of either stand training or nonweight-bearing arm crank ergometry. Comparisons were made with previously published locomotor training data (step; N=7). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessments at both pre- and post-training timepoints included cystometry for bladder function and International Data Set Questionnaires for bowel and sexual functions. RESULTS: Cystometry measurements revealed a significant decrease in bladder pressure and limited improvement in compliance with nonweight-bearing exercise but not with standing. Although International Data Set questionnaires revealed profound bowel dysfunction and marked deficits in sexual function pretraining, no differences were identified poststand or after nonweight-bearing exercise. CONCLUSIONS: These pilot trial results suggest that, although stand and weight-bearing alone do not benefit pelvic organ functions after spinal cord injury, exercise in general may contribute at least partially to the lowering of bladder pressure and the increase in compliance that was seen previously with locomotor training, potentially through metabolic, humoral, and/or cardiovascular mechanisms. Thus, to maximize activity-based recovery training benefits for functions related to storage and emptying, an appropriate level of sensory input to the spinal cord neural circuitries controlling bladder and bowel requires task-specific stepping.

Bowel Outcome Prediction After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Background. Predicting functional outcomes after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is essential for counseling, rehabilitation planning, and discharge. Moreover, the outcome prognosis is crucial for patient stratification when designing clinical trials. However, no valid prediction rule is currently available for bowel outcomes after a SCI. Objective. To generate a model for predicting the achievement of independent, reliable bowel management at 1 year after traumatic SCI. Methods. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses of data for 1250 patients with traumatic SCIs that were included in the European Multicenter Study about Spinal Cord Injury. The resulting model was prospectively validated on data for 186 patients. As potential predictors, we evaluated age, sex, and variables from the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM), measured within 40 days of the injury. A positive outcome at 1 year post-SCI was assessed with item 7 of the SCIM. Results. The model relied on a single predictor, the ISNCSCI total motor score-that is, the sum of muscle strengths in 5 key muscle groups in each limb. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (aROC) was 0.837 (95% CI: 0.815-0.859). The prospective validation confirmed high predictive power: aROC = 0.817 (95% CI: 0.754-0.881). Conclusions. We generated a valid model for predicting independent, reliable bowel management at 1 year after traumatic SCI. Its application could improve counseling, optimize patient-tailored rehabilitation planning, and become crucial for appropriate patient stratification in future clinical trials.

Bowel rehabilitation of individuals with spinal cord injury: video production.

OBJECTIVE: produce and validate an educational video about bowel emptying maneuvers for training of individuals with neurogenic bowel in bowel rehabilitation process. METHOD: this is a methodological study developed in four stages: script/storyboard production, validation, educational video production and pilot study, which was conducted from January 2013 to July 2015. Instruments for validation, which was performed from December 2014 to February 2015 by a group of experts. A value equal to or greater than 70% was considered for validation of agreement and relevance of the script and storyboard, using descriptive statistics for data analysis. RESULTS: the script and storyboard were validated by 94% of the experts in the subject and 100% of the technicians. After validation and video recording, the pilot study was conducted with six individuals with neurogenic bowel - 100% of them evaluated the video positively. CONCLUSION: the video may contribute to the education of individuals with neurogenic bowel.

Bowel rehabilitation of individuals with spinal cord injury: video production / Rehabilitación intestinal de individuos con lesión medular: producción de vídeo / Reabilitação intestinal de indivíduos com lesão medular: produção de vídeo

ABSTRACT Objective: produce and validate an educational video about bowel emptying maneuvers for training of individuals with neurogenic bowel in bowel rehabilitation process. Method: this is a methodological study developed in four stages: script/storyboard production, validation, educational video production and pilot study, which was conducted from January 2013 to July 2015. Instruments for validation, which was performed from December 2014 to February 2015 by a group of experts. A value equal to or greater than 70% was considered for validation of agreement and relevance of the script and storyboard, using descriptive statistics for data analysis. Results: the script and storyboard were validated by 94% of the experts in the subject and 100% of the technicians. After validation and video recording, the pilot study was conducted with six individuals with neurogenic bowel - 100% of them evaluated the video positively. Conclusion: the video may contribute to the education of individuals with neurogenic bowel.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Producir y validar video educativo sobre maniobras de vaciamiento intestinal para capacitar individuos con intestino neurogénico sobre el proceso de rehabilitación intestinal. Método: Estudio metodológico desarrollado en cuatro etapas: guionado/storyboard, validación, producción del vídeo educativo y prueba piloto. Realizado entre enero 2013 y julio2015. Validación mediante instrumentos, efectuada por comité de expertos, con experiencia en vídeos de diciembre 2014 a febrero 2015. Valor de concordancia y pertinencia de guionado y storyboard considerado en 70% o superior. Datos analizados por estadística descriptiva. Resultados: Guionado y storyboard validados por 94% de expertos en temática y 100% de expertos técnicos. Validado y grabado el vídeo, se realizó prueba piloto con seis individuos con intestino neurogénico, 100% evaluó positivamente el vídeo. Conclusión: El vídeo contribuirá a educar a individuos con intestino neurogénico.

RESUMO Objetivo: produzir e validar vídeo educativo sobre manobras de esvaziamento intestinal para capacitação de indivíduos com intestino neurogênico, no processo de reabilitação intestinal. Método: estudo metodológico, desenvolvido em quatro etapas: produção do roteiro/storyboard, validação , produção do vídeo educativo e estudo-piloto. Ocorreu no período de janeiro de 2013 a julho de 2015. Para a validação, utilizaram-se instrumentos, sendo realizada por um comitê de especialistas, no período de dezembro de 2014 a fevereiro de 2015. Considerou-se valor igual ou superior a 70% para validação de concordância e pertinência do roteiro e storyboard, utilizando-se estatística descritiva para análise dos dados. Resultados: o roteiro e storyboard foram validados por 94% dos especialistas na temática e 100% dos especialistas técnicos. Após validação e gravação do vídeo, foi realizado estudo-piloto com seis indivíduos com intestino neurogênico, dos quais 100% avaliaram o vídeo positivamente. Conclusão: o vídeo poderá contribuir para a educação de indivíduos com intestino neurogênico.

Ageing with neurogenic bowel dysfunction.

STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal study with postal survey. OBJECTIVES: To describe changes in the patterns of neurogenic bowel dysfunction and bowel management in a population of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) followed for two decades. SETTING: Members of the Danish SCI Association. METHODS: In 1996, a validated questionnaire on bowel function was sent to the members of the Danish SCI Association (n=589). The same questionnaire was sent to all the surviving members in 2006 (n=284) and in 2015 (n=178). A total of 109 responded to both the 1996 and 2015 questionnaires. RESULTS: Comparing data from 2015 with those from the exact same participants in 1996, the proportion of respondents needing more than 30 min for each defaecation increased from 21 to 39% (P<0.01), the use of laxatives increased (P<0.05) and the proportion considering themselves very constipated increased from 19 to 31% (P<0.01). In contrast, the proportion suffering from faecal incontinence remained stable at 18% in 1996 and 19% in 2015. During the 19-year period, there had been no significant change in the methods for bowel care, but 22 (20%) had undergone surgery for bowel dysfunction, including 11 (10%) who had some form of stoma. CONCLUSION: Self-assessed severity of constipation increased but quality of life remained stable in a cohort of people with SCI followed prospectively for 19 years. Methods for bowel care remained surprisingly stable but a large proportion had undergone stoma surgery.

Neurogenic bowel after spinal cord injury from the perspective of support providers: a phenomenological study.

OBJECTIVE: To gain greater insight into the experience of support providers who assist and support individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) for the performance of bowel care. DESIGN: Qualitative (phenomenological) interviews and analysis. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Ten support providers of individuals with SCI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Themes related to supporting bowel care for individuals with SCI. RESULTS: Support providers identified concerns and challenges as well as sources of satisfaction related to the provision of bowel care to individuals with SCI. Traits and characteristics of effective support providers also emerged. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with SCI often require emotional, logistical, and/or physical assistance to complete bowel care. Exploration of neurogenic bowel care from the perspective of support providers identified concerns and challenges, sources of satisfaction, and important traits and characteristics of support providers. This information can facilitate the identification of effective support providers and the provision of enhanced training and support. Interventions of this nature can improve the experience for individuals with SCI and their supports.

Pediatric spinal cord injury: a review by organ system.

In this article, an overview is provided of pediatric spinal cord injury, organized by effects of this injury on various organ systems. Specific management differences between children and adults with spinal cord injury are highlighted. A detailed management approach is offered for particularly complex topics, such as spasticity and upper extremity reconstruction.

Neurogenic bowel management after spinal cord injury: Malaysian experience.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the bowel programmes utilized by individuals with spinal cord injury; and to determine the association between the outcome of the bowel programmes and various interventions to facilitate defecation. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with spinal cord injury who have neurogenic bowel dysfunction. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a self-constructed questionnaire that consisted of: (i) demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants; (ii) interventions to facilitate defecation; (iii) bowel care practices; (iv) outcome of the bowel programme (incidence of incontinence and duration of the evacuation procedure); and (v) participant satisfaction with their bowel programme. RESULTS: The majority (79.2%) of subjects used multiple interventions for bowel care. Duration of the evacuation procedure was more than 60 min in 28.0% of participants. Water intake of more than 2 l/day was associated with longer duration of bowel care. Only 8.0% of participants had at least one episode of incontinence per month. The majority of participants (84.8%) were satisfied with their bowel programme. CONCLUSION: Patients used multiple interventions to manage their bowels and spent a substantial amount of time performing bowel care. Nevertheless, the incidence of incontinence was low and satisfaction with their bowel programme was high.

Práticas de autocuidado para funcionamento intestinal em um grupo de pacientes com trauma raquimedular / Self-care practice for bowel functioning in a group of patients with spinal cord injury

Estudo descritivo exploratório. Objetivo: caracterizar os indivíduos com trauma raquimedular (TRM) atendidos em um Centro de Reabilitação de um hospital terciário do interior do estado de São Paulo e identificar as suas práticas de autocuidado intestinal. Método: Após a aprovação do Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa e o consentimento dos participantes, os dados foram coletados por meio de análise do prontuário e entrevista. Dos 30 indivíduos entrevistados, houve predomínio do sexo masculino, estado civil solteiro, ensino médio completo, com idade média de 35 anos. Resultado: A principal causa do TRM foi acidente automotor com prevalência de lesão completa em nível cervical. As práticas de autocuidado mais referidas foram o controle nutricional seguido da massagem abdominal. Quanto às complicações intestinais relatadas, houve predomínio de impactação fecal seguida por incontinência fecal. Conclusão: Programa de reabilitação intestinal deve ser instituído para indivíduos com TRM o mais precoce possível de modo a minimizar complicações.

This was a descriptive and exploratory study. Objective: To characterize individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) treated at a Rehabilitation Center in a tertiary hospital in the interior of São Paulo state, and to identify their self-care practices related to bowel management. Method: After being approved by the Research Ethics Committee and receiving consent from the participants, the data was collected through an interview and by analyzing their medical records. Thirty individuals were interviewed, most of whom were male, single, had a complete secondary education, and a mean age of 35 years. Results: The main cause for the SCI was automobile accident with a prevalence of cervical injuries. The most common self-care practices were nutritional management followed by abdominal massage. Regarding the bowel problems, fecal impaction predominated followed by fecal incontinence. Conclusion: The bowel rehabilitation program should be instituted for individuals with SCI as early as possible to minimize complications.

Characteristics of neurogenic bowel in spinal cord injury and perceived quality of life.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between characteristics of individuals with spinal cord injury and neurogenic bowel and their perceived quality of life. DESIGN/METHODS: The study design is an exploratory, descriptive correlational design. To measure the variables of the study the Quality of Life Survey developed by Randell et al. (2001) was used to measure perceived quality of life related to bowel management. Individual bowel management preferences and subjective costs and benefits of the preferences were gathered through the Neurogenic Bowel Characteristics Survey. PARTICIPANTS/METHOD: Data were collected from a random half of the individuals who met the inclusion criteria from the patient database (n=1193). Two hundred and forty one surveys were analyzed for this study. DISCUSSION: More than half of the sample (n=134) provided their own bowel management consisting of digital stimulation, suppositories, and other aids; 8% (n=19) had a colostomy. Regardless of the bowel management program 54% (n=127) were satisfied with current methods. Although time reported to complete bowel programs ranged from 1 to 120 minutes, there was no difference in rating of satisfaction with time. There was a statistically significant difference between those satisfied and dissatisfied with current bowel management and quality of life; those satisfied demonstrated a higher quality of life on three subscales, work function (p= .021), bowel problems (p< .001), and social function (p< .001). Those dissatisfied with their bowel program perceived a lower quality of life and indicated problems of time (p= .001), pain or discomfort (p= .033), and poor results (p< .001). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Research data provide the patient's perspective on bowel management characteristics, complications, satisfaction, and their perceived quality of life. Results of this research will be incorporated into bowel management education and possible modification of the current inpatient bowel management program.

Management of bowel dysfunction in the community after spinal cord injury: a postal survey in the Republic of Korea.

STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional postal survey. OBJECTIVES: To describe defecation stimulation methods and their outcomes, and to investigate the impact of bowel dysfunction on the quality of life (QoL) in community-dwelling persons with spinal cord injury in South Korea. SETTING: Community-based, Korea. METHODS: A cross-sectional postal survey was conducted. Questionnaires were sent to 459 chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients who were registered as members of the Korean Spinal Cord Injury Association. Defecation stimulation methods and their outcomes, the impact of bowel dysfunction on the QoL were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 388 subjects (44.5±10.8 year of age; men, 76.0%; duration of time since the onset of SCI, 14.2±9.5 years) responded. Bowel-related general, social and home QoL deterioration was found in >60%. Suppositories (Supp) were most frequently used, followed by digital rectal stimulation (DRS). The mini enema (ME), which is exclusively used in Korea, was utilized in 18.8%. A defecation time of 30 min was more frequently reported in patients who stimulated defecation with Supp than in those who used DRS. CONCLUSIONS: The use of MEs and warm-water irrigations were newly identified in Korea. Bowel care-related factors that greatly deteriorate the QoL were fecal incontinence, time in one defecation >60 min, perianal skin problem, flatus incontinence and hemorrhoids. Alleviating these factors might help to improve the QoL. In particular, stimulation methods to reduce time for defecation might be recommended to persons with chronic SCI.

Effect of age on bowel management in traumatic central cord syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective multicenter study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the characteristics of bowel dysfunction in elderly people with traumatic central cord syndrome (TCCS). SETTING: A total of 28 Rosai hospitals in Japan. METHODS: The Rosai Hospital registry included 3006 persons with spinal cord injury during 1997-2007. The study subjects were 186 patients with TCCS (160 men, 26 women; mean age, 61.7±11.6 years, ±s.d.). Patients were divided according to age into the young group (<50 years, n=30), the middle-age group (50-69 years, n=112) and the elderly group (≥70 years, n=44). We assessed the differences in bowel management techniques (spontaneous, rectal medications and manual emptying) and activity of daily living (ADL) with respect to bowel care at discharge among the three groups. RESULTS: Continent spontaneous defecation was the most common bowel management method (50%, 93/186). The percentage of elderly subjects on continent spontaneous defecation (36.4%) was significantly less than that of the young group (66.7%; P<0.05). Furthermore, the percentage of elderly patients who required no bowel care (18.2%) was significantly less than those of the young (53.3%) and middle-age groups (41.1%; P<0.01). However, few differences in bowel care-related ADL were recognized among the three groups in patients who required manual emptying. CONCLUSION: The results identified significantly fewer patients aged ≥70 years with 'continent spontaneous defecation' or 'independent for bowel care' compared with younger patients. The results also highlighted the clinical importance of bowel dysfunction associated with TCCS especially in elderly people.