• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2016

Purpose: This study investigates the influence of elastic resistance exercise using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the daily activities of a patient with incomplete spinal cord injury. The result will be proposed as background data for effective intervention in a patient with incomplete spinal cord injury. Methods: The target subject was a patient with incomplete spinal cord injury to the cervical cord (C6). Elastic resistance exercise based on PNF was performed for 30 min daily, five times a week, for eight weeks. The ASIS motor scale was applied to test the muscular strength of the upper limb, and the spinal cord independence measure II (SCIM II) was used to evaluate the capacity of daily activity. Results: By applying elastic resistance exercise based on PNF, the muscular strength of the upper limb increased and the performance of daily activity improved. Conclusion: Because elastic resistance exercise based on PNF positively influences the ASIA motor scale and SCIM II of the patient with incomplete spinal cord injury. It can be used for training programs to improve the capacity of daily activity of the patient.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.1011-1019
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• 1996

The incidence of spinal cord injury increase due to traffic accident, industrial accident and leisure sports. Spinal cord injury damages motor and sensory function below the injury level, also affects autonomic functions associated with voiding and defecation. Sexual dysfunction and psychosocial, vocational maladaptations are also some of the unwanted consequences of injury. The purpose of this study is look for means to prevent and to manage complications in spinal cord injury through investigation and analysis. The subjects of this study in spinal cord injured patients were admitted to the department of physical therapy, Kwangju christian Hospital, Nam Kwang Hospital, Chun Nam university Hospital and Cho Sun university Hospital, from April, 1, 1995 to March, 31, 1996. The results are as follows: 1. The subjects comprised 96 cases of spinal cord injury, ranging from 17 to 85(mean-40.8 yrs) and included 72 males and 24 females. Among these patients, 58 were cervical injury, 20 were thoracic injury and 18 were lumbar injury. 2. As for a major causative of spinal cord injury were traffic accident(59.4%), fall down (27.1 %), and motocycle(4.2%).. 3. The bladder control were taken by indwelling cathetar(41.7%), Crede maneuver(37.5%) and self voiding(16.7%). The bowel control were taken by all aid(61.5%), assitance(32.3%) and self defecation(6.2%). 4. Possible of sexual function were 35 cases (47.9%). 5. The device of transfer used wheel chair(69.8%) and bed(16.7%). 6. The patients with higher cord lesion got more serious pain than lower cord lesion. Also the patients with higher cord lesion got a serious spasticity. 7. The incidence of decubitus ulcer among 96 patients were in case 46(47.9%). The largest group of the pressure sore sites were sacral portion(82.0%), less than 1 month of onset occured a large numbers(50%). Incidence of pressure sore by spasticity occured many patients in case of mild or moderate. Incidence of pressure sore by pain occured many patients in case of severe pain.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.367-373
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• 1995

The purpose of this studied was the comparison with shoulder girdle muscles of isokinetic evaluation in the spinal cord injury group, and adults normal group. Data was collected from 20 cases spinal cord injury from January 10. 1994 to February 10, 1995 in a Chungnam University hospital and adults normal group to 20 cases. The results were as follows; 1. Low speeds peak torque was higher spinal cord group than normal group shoulder girdle muscles of flexor, extensor, external rotator showed statistically significant in spinal cord injury group(p<0.05). Against normal groups shoulder girdle muscles of internal rotator showed statistically significant in normal group(p<0.05). 2. High speeds peak torque was higher spinal cord group than normal group shoulder girdle muscles of flexor, extensor, showed statistically significant in spinal cord injury group(p<0.05). 3. High speeds total work was higher spinal cord group than normal group shoulder girdle muscles of flexor, extensor, external rotator showed statistically significant in spinal cord injury group(p<0.05).(p<0.01). Against normal group shoulder girdle muscles of internal rotator showed statistically significant in normal group(p<0.05).

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.80-97
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to identify and describe a process of sexual adjustment of individuals with spinal cord injury: and to describe and explore positive and negative influences on the adjustment process. This qualitative study was conducted with 10 Korean individuals with spinal cord injury who had been physically disabled for more than one year. Data were collected and analysed at a same time using grounded theory method. Major categories of this study showed a process how the individuals with spinal cord injury adjust to their individual life as sexual beings. The process included and individual responses to the behavioral efforts including and . Initially physical aspects of sexuality seemed to be affected by spinal cord injuries. The changed physical aspects then influenced other aspects of their sexual life. Life satisfaction of each individual as a sexual being revealed as very subjective. It could be defined according to how the individual approved their sexual life no matter what and how much behavioral effort the person had done. In this study 3 types of sexual adjustment aspects were explored: 'Active adjustment' 'Passive adjustment' 'Maladjustment'. There were negative and positive factors influencing the adjustment process of individuals with spinal cord injury. Those factors might come from themselves, from families, or from social situations. Findings of this study suggested that sexual life of individuals with spinal cord injury should not be understood as a physical or behavioral matter. It was a combination of physical, psychological and social aspects of life. Therefore, appropriate rehabilitation programs for the sexual adjustment of individuals with spinal cord injury need to concern heterogeneous life values of them and obtain individualized services for each individual at a different stage of the sexual adjustment process.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.63-73
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• 2013

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious condition associated with social and familial burden, as well as significant neurologic deficit. Despite the many advances in the treatment of spinal cord injury, a fundamental treatment for neurologic functional recovery has not yet been developed. In this article, we review two directions of development for spinal cord injury treatment: neuroprotective pharmacological agents and axon-regenerating cell therapy. We expect developments in these two to lead to improve functional recovery in patients with spinal cord injuries and to reduce burdens on society, as well as the patients' families.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2007

Purpose: Previous studies have suggested that BDNF has a role in plasticity and survival following spinal cord injury and treadmill exercise increases BDNF levels in the normal brain and spinal cord. We attempted to determine whether swimming exercise improve motor function following experimental contusive spinal cord injury and whether motor outcome is associated with BDNF expression. Methods: Thirty six Sprague-Dawley rats (weight, 250 to 300 g) were divided into control (n=18) and experimental swimming group (n=18). Spinal cord injury was produced using NYU-spinal impactor at the eleven thoracic levels in both groups. Swimming exercise started $7^{th}$ day from SCI operation, lasted 5 min per day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks and then exercise times a day were increased in one number to each week. Motor functional recovery was determined by the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale, modified inclined board plane test, histological findings, H&E and BDNF expression observed at $1^{th}$, $3^{rd}$, $7^{th}$, $14^{th}$, $21^{st}$ and $28^{th}$day after injury. Results: 1. The BBB scores were higher in experimental group than control group at $14^{th}$, $21^{st}$ day (left hind limb) and at $21^{th}$ day (right hind limb) (p<0.05) after injury. 2. The inclined board plane test were significantly greater in experimental group than control group at $7^{th}$ day (p<0.05), $14^{th}$ and $28^{th}$ day (p<0.01) after injury. 3. The BDNF expression was severe revealed in experimental group than control group at $7^{th}$, $14^{th}$ and $28^{th}$ day after injury. Conclusion: This study suggests that swimming applied from the early phase after spinal cord injury be beneficial effects in motor functional recovery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.151-154
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• 2010

The efficacy of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for treatment of various chronic painful conditions is well established. Very few reports have documented the use of SCS for treatment of chronic pain after spinal cord injury. We present a case showing a good outcome after such treatment, and suggest that high cervical stimulation may be efficacious. A 53-year-old male underwent SCS on the C1-3 level for treatment of intractable neuropathic pain below the T3 level, and in the upper extremities, arising from spinal cord injury resulting from transverse myelitis caused by schistosomiasis. High cervical SCS significantly improved the pain in the upper extremities and at the T3-T10 dermatome level. The patient continues to report excellent pain relief 9 months later. The present case suggests that high cervical stimulation may improve chronic pain in the upper extremities and the T3-T10 dermatome level arising from spinal cord injury.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2007

The failure of injured axons to regenerate in the mature central nervous system (CNS) has devastating consequences for victims of spinal cord injury (SCI). Traditional strategies to treat spinal cord injured people by using drug therapy and assisting devices that can not help them to recover fully various vital functions of the spinal cord. Many researches have been focused on accomplishing re-growth and reconnection of the severed axons in the injured region. Using cell transplantation to promote neural survival or growth has had modest success in allowing injured neurons to re-grow through the area of the lesion. Strategies for successful regeneration will require tissue engineering approach. In order to persuade sufficient axons to regenerate across the lesion to bring back substantial neurological function, it is necessary to construct an efficient biocompatible bridge (cell-free or implanted with different cell lines as hybrid implant) through the injured area over which axons can grow. Therefore, in this paper, spinal cord and its injury, different strategies to help regeneration of an injured spinal cord are reviewed. In addition, different aspects of designing a biocompatible bridge and its applications and challenges surrounding these issues are also addressed. This knowledge is very important for the development and optimalization of therapies to repair the injured spinal cord.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.70-80
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• 2015

The spinal cord is highly complex, consisting of a specialized neural network that comprised both neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Any kind of injury and/or insult to the spinal cord leads to a series of damaging events resulting in motor and/or sensory deficits below the level of injury. As a result, muscle paralysis (or paresis) leading to muscle atrophy or shrinking of the muscle along with changes in muscle fiber type, and contractile properties have been observed. Traditionally, histology had been used as a gold standard to characterize spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced adaptation in spinal cord and skeletal muscle. However, histology measurements is invasive and cannot be used for longitudinal analysis. Therefore, the use of conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is promoted to be used as an alternative non-invasive method, which allows the repeated measurements over time and secures the safety against radiation by using radiofrequency pulse. Currently, many of pathological changes and adaptations occurring after SCI can be measured by MRI methods, specifically 3-dimensional MRI with the advanced diffusion tensor imaging technique. Both techniques have shown to be sensitive in measuring morphological and structural changes in skeletal muscle and the spinal cord.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.143-151
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• 2016

A 57-year-old male patient was diagnosed as Incomplete cervical spinal cord injury and Neurogenic bladder after falling accident and suffered from tetraplegia and urinary retention. The patient was hospitalized and treated with Complex Korean Medical treatment such as acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, bee venom pharmacopuncture and herbal medication for 13 weeks. International Standard for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) was adopted to evaluate the functional recovery and Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) was adopted to evaluate the recovery of activities of daily living (ADL). After treatment, Total scores of ISNCSCI and K-MBI were improved. Also patient's micturition reflex was recovered and symptoms of neurogenic bladder were improved. This result shows that Korean Medical treatment may be an effective treatment option for spinal cord injury and neurogenic bladder patients. Further clinical studies are needed to clarify the effect of Korean Medical treatment on spinal cord injury.