The Effectiveness of Group Psychological Intervention in Enhancing Perceptions of Control following Spinal Cord Injury

1998 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Craig ◽  
Karen Hancock ◽  
Esther Chang ◽  
Hugh Dickson
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Objective Measure ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Hospital Rehabilitation

Objective: This research investigated the effects of a structured psychological intervention, delivered during hospital rehabilitation, on the perceptions of control in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Method: A longitudinal study was designed to assess perceptions of control (using an objective measure of locus of control) in SCI persons who participated in specialised group cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) during hospital rehabilitation. The treatment SCI group's responses on locus of control were compared with a control group of SCI persons who only received traditional rehabilitation services during their hospitalisation. Results and Conclusions: Mean locus of control scores were not high (i.e. external) for both groups and there were no overall group differences on locus of control responses across time in comparison to the control group. However, subjects in both groups who initially perceived life as externally controlled were extracted to form subgroups. The members of the subgroup who received CBT were significantly more likely to feel in control of themselves 2 years post injury compared to similar persons in the control group. Furthermore, an external locus of control was significantly but mildly associated with depressive mood 2 years after the injury. This research suggests that the provision of a structured psychological program in the rehabilitation stage will be beneficial for many SCI persons who feel that they have little control over their lives.

scholarly journals Serial plasma DNA levels as predictors of outcome in patients with acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hung-Chen Wang ◽  
Yu-Tsai Lin ◽  
Shih-Yuan Hsu ◽  
Nai-Wen Tsai ◽  
Yun-Ru Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Japanese Orthopaedic Association ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Acute Injury ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Plasma Dna ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Cord Injury

Abstract Background Acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) is a leading cause of disability in adolescents and young adults worldwide. Evidence from previous studies suggests that circulating cell-free DNA is associated with severity following acute injury. The present study determined whether plasma DNA levels in acute cervical SCI are predictive of outcome. Methods In present study, serial plasma nuclear DNA (nDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels were obtained from 44 patients with acute traumatic cervical SCI at five time points from day 1 to day 180 post-injury. Control blood samples were obtained from 66 volunteers. Results Data showed a significant increase in plasma nDNA and mtDNA concentrations at admission in SCI patients compared to the control group. Plasma nDNA levels at admission, but not plasma mtDNA levels, were significantly associated with the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and Injury Severity Score in patients with acute traumatic cervical SCI. In patients with non-excellent outcomes, plasma nDNA increased significantly at days 1, 14 and 30 post-injury. Furthermore, its level at day 14 was independently associated with outcome. Higher plasma nDNA levels at the chosen cutoff point (> 45.6 ng/ml) predicted poorer outcome with a sensitivity of 78.9% and a specificity of 78.4%. Conclusions These results indicate JOA score performance and plasma nDNA levels reflect the severity of spinal cord injury. Therefore, the plasma nDNA assays can be considered as potential neuropathological markers in patients with acute traumatic cervical SCI.

The Influence of Spinal Cord Injury on Coping Styles and Self-Perceptions Two Years after the Injury

1994 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Craig ◽  
K Hancock ◽  
E Chang
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Control Group ◽  
First Year ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
And Coping

This study is a two year follow-up of previous longitudinal research which investigated the effects of spinal cord injury (SCI) on perceptions of control, self-esteem and coping styles over the first year of SCI. Persons with SCI and a demographically matched able-bodied control group completed standardised questionnaires on four occasions over two years. The instruments included the Locus of Control of Behaviour Scale (LCB), Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, and an adapted Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (MAC), which measures coping styles, including fighting spirit, helplessness/hopelessness and fatalism. Results obtained in the first year were replicated in the two year data, except for the LCB Scale. After one year, the SCI group were found to perceive their life to be externally controlled, to be lower in self-esteem, and have more helpless/hopeless and fatalistic attitudes than the controls. There were no differences in self esteem and coping styles after two years for the SCI group. However, locus of control fluctuated over the two years, though there was a trend for the SCI group to be more externally focussed. There were no significant interactions between group and time. Implications for the adjustment of SCI persons are discussed.

scholarly journals Exercise Ameliorates Spinal Cord Injury by Changing DNA Methylation

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Ganchimeg Davaa ◽  
Jin Young Hong ◽  
Tae Uk Kim ◽  
Seong Jae Lee ◽  
Seo Young Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Functional Recovery ◽  
Treadmill Exercise ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
The Brain

Exercise training is a traditional method to maximize remaining function in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), but the exact mechanism by which exercise promotes recovery after SCI has not been identified; whether exercise truly has a beneficial effect on SCI also remains unclear. Previously, we showed that epigenetic changes in the brain motor cortex occur after SCI and that a treatment leading to epigenetic modulation effectively promotes functional recovery after SCI. We aimed to determine how exercise induces functional improvement in rats subjected to SCI and whether epigenetic changes are engaged in the effects of exercise. A spinal cord contusion model was established in rats, which were then subjected to treadmill exercise for 12 weeks. We found that the size of the lesion cavity and the number of macrophages were decreased more in the exercise group than in the control group after 12 weeks of injury. Immunofluorescence and DNA dot blot analysis revealed that levels of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) in the brain motor cortex were increased after exercise. Accordingly, the expression of ten-eleven translocation (Tet) family members (Tet1, Tet2, and Tet3) in the brain motor cortex also elevated. However, no macrophage polarization was induced by exercise. Locomotor function, including Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) and ladder scores, also improved in the exercise group compared to the control group. We concluded that treadmill exercise facilitates functional recovery in rats with SCI, and mechanistically epigenetic changes in the brain motor cortex may contribute to exercise-induced improvements.

scholarly journals D-dopachrome tautomerase activates COX2/PGE2 pathway of astrocytes to mediate inflammation following spinal cord injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiyuan Ji ◽  
Yuxin Zhang ◽  
Chen Chen ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Bingqiang He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Signal Pathways ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Dopachrome Tautomerase ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Spinal Cord Contusion

Abstract Background Astrocytes are the predominant glial cell type in the central nervous system (CNS) that can secrete various cytokines and chemokines mediating neuropathology in response to danger signals. D-dopachrome tautomerase (D-DT), a newly described cytokine and a close homolog of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) protein, has been revealed to share an overlapping function with MIF in some ways. However, its cellular distribution pattern and mediated astrocyte neuropathological function in the CNS remain unclear. Methods A contusion model of the rat spinal cord was established. The protein levels of D-DT and PGE2 synthesis-related proteinase were assayed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Primary astrocytes were stimulated by different concentrations of D-DT in the presence or absence of various inhibitors to examine relevant signal pathways. The post-injury locomotor functions were assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor scale. Results D-DT was inducibly expressed within astrocytes and neurons, rather than in microglia following spinal cord contusion. D-DT was able to activate the COX2/PGE2 signal pathway of astrocytes through CD74 receptor, and the intracellular activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was involved in the regulation of D-DT action. The selective inhibitor of D-DT was efficient in attenuating D-DT-induced astrocyte production of PGE2 following spinal cord injury, which contributed to the improvement of locomotor functions. Conclusion Collectively, these data reveal a novel inflammatory activator of astrocytes following spinal cord injury, which might be beneficial for the development of anti-inflammation drug in neuropathological CNS.

scholarly journals Spinal Cord Injury Increases Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Expression in Kidney at Acute and Sub-chronic Stages

Inflammation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shangrila Parvin ◽  
Clintoria R. Williams ◽  
Simone A. Jarrett ◽  
Sandra M. Garraway
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokine ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

Abstract— Accumulating evidence supports that spinal cord injury (SCI) produces robust inflammatory plasticity. We previously showed that the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α is increased in the spinal cord after SCI. SCI also induces a systemic inflammatory response that can impact peripheral organ functions. The kidney plays an important role in maintaining cardiovascular health. However, SCI-induced inflammatory response in the kidney and the subsequent effect on renal function have not been well characterized. This study investigated the impact of high and low thoracic (T) SCI on C-fos, TNFα, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 expression in the kidney at acute and sub-chronic timepoints. Adult C57BL/6 mice received a moderate contusion SCI or sham procedures at T4 or T10. Uninjured mice served as naïve controls. mRNA levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, and C-fos, and TNFα and C-fos protein expression were assessed in the kidney and spinal cord 1 day and 14 days post-injury. The mRNA levels of all targets were robustly increased in the kidney and spinal cord, 1 day after both injuries. Whereas IL-6 and TNFα remained elevated in the spinal cord at 14 days after SCI, C-fos, IL-6, and TNFα levels were sustained in the kidney only after T10 SCI. TNFα protein was significantly upregulated in the kidney 1 day after both T4 and T10 SCI. Overall, these results clearly demonstrate that SCI induces robust systemic inflammation that extends to the kidney. Hence, the presence of renal inflammation can substantially impact renal pathophysiology and function after SCI.

scholarly journals AAV2-mediated and hypoxia response element-directed expression of bFGF in neural stem cells showed therapeutic effects on spinal cord injury in rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sipin Zhu ◽  
Yibo Ying ◽  
Jiahui Ye ◽  
Min Chen ◽  
Qiuji Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Hypoxia Response Element ◽  
Neurofilament Protein ◽  
Response Element ◽  
Hypoxia Response ◽  
Cord Injury

AbstractNeural stem cell (NSCs) transplantation has been one of the hot topics in the repair of spinal cord injury (SCI). Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is considered a promising nerve injury therapy after SCI. However, owing to a hostile hypoxia condition in SCI, there remains a challenging issue in implementing these tactics to repair SCI. In this report, we used adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2), a prototype AAV used in clinical trials for human neuron disorders, basic FGF (bFGF) gene under the regulation of hypoxia response element (HRE) was constructed and transduced into NSCs to yield AAV2-5HRE-bFGF-NSCs. Our results showed that its treatment yielded temporally increased expression of bFGF in SCI, and improved scores of functional recovery after SCI compared to vehicle control (AAV2-5HRE-NSCs) based on the analyses of the inclined plane test, Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) scale and footprint analysis. Mechanistic studies showed that AAV2-5HRE-bFGF-NSCs treatment increased the expression of neuron-specific neuronal nuclei protein (NeuN), neuromodulin GAP43, and neurofilament protein NF200 while decreased the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) as compared to the control group. Further, the expressions of autophagy-associated proteins LC3-II and Beclin 1 were decreased, whereas the expression of P62 protein was increased in AAV2-5HRE-bFGF-NSCs treatment group. Taken together, our data indicate that AAV2-5HRE-bFGF-NSCs treatment improved the recovery of SCI rats, which is accompanied by evidence of nerve regeneration, and inhibition of SCI-induced glial scar formation and cell autophagy. Thus, this study represents a step forward towards the potential use of AAV2-5HRE-bFGF-NSCs for future clinical trials of SCI repair.

scholarly journals Effect of pelvic laparoscopic implantation of neuroprosthesis in spinal cord injured subjects: a 1-year prospective randomized controlled study

Spinal Cord ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helge Kasch ◽  
Uffe Schou Løve ◽  
Anette Bach Jønsson ◽  
Kaare Eg Severinsen ◽  
Marc Possover ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Cord Injury

Abstract Study design 1-year prospective RCT. Objective Examine the effect of implantable pulse generator and low-frequency stimulation of the pelvic nerves using laparoscopic implantation of neuroprosthesis (LION) compared with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in SCI. Methods Inclusion criteria: traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), age 18–55 years, neurological level-of-injury Th4–L1, time-since-injury >1 year, and AIS-grades A–B. Participants were randomized to (A) LION procedure or (B) control group receiving NMES. Primary outcome measure: Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI-II), which is a SCI specific outcome measure assessing ability to ambulate. Secondary outcome measures: Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM III), Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC), Penn Spasm Frequency Scale (PSFS), severity of spasticity measured by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11); International Spinal Cord Injury data sets-Quality of Life Basic Data Set (QoLBDS), and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Results Seventeen SCI individuals, AIS grade A, neurological level ranging from Th4–L1, were randomized to the study. One individual was excluded prior to intervention. Eight participants (7 males) with a mean age (SD) of 35.5 (12.4) years were allocated to the LION procedure, 8 participants (7 males) with age of 38.8 (15.1) years were allocated to NMES. Significantly, 5 LION group participants gained 1 point on the WISCI II scale, (p < 0.013; Fisher´s exact test). WISCI II scale score did not change in controls. No significant changes were observed in the secondary outcome measures. Conclusion The LION procedure is a promising new treatment for individuals with SCI with significant one-year improvement in walking ability.

Spinal Cord Tissue Bridges Validation Study: Predictive Relationships With Sensory Scores Following Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew C. Smith ◽  
Denise R. O’Dell ◽  
Wesley A. Thornton ◽  
David Dungan ◽  
Eli Robinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
External Validation ◽  
Inpatient Rehabilitation ◽  
Spinal Cord Tissue ◽  
Light Touch ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Predictive Relationships

Background: Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), widths of ventral tissue bridges demonstrated significant predictive relationships with future pinprick sensory scores, and widths of dorsal tissue bridges demonstrated significant predictive relationships with future light touch sensory scores, following spinal cord injury (SCI). These studies involved smaller participant numbers, and external validation of their findings is warranted. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to validate these previous findings using a larger independent data set. Methods: Widths of ventral and dorsal tissue bridges were quantified using MRI in persons post cervical level SCI (average 3.7 weeks post injury), and pinprick and light touch sensory scores were acquired at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation (average 14.3 weeks post injury). Pearson product-moments were calculated and linear regression models were created from these data. Results: Wider ventral tissue bridges were significantly correlated with pinprick scores (r = 0.31, p &lt; 0.001, N = 136) and wider dorsal tissue bridges were significantly correlated with light touch scores (r = 0.31, p &lt; 0.001, N = 136) at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Conclusion: This retrospective study’s results provide external validation of previous findings, using a larger sample size. Following SCI, ventral tissue bridges hold significant predictive relationships with future pinprick sensory scores and dorsal tissue bridges hold significant predictive relationships with future light touch sensory scores.

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