• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.198-206
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study is to compare sexual concerns and adjustment between men and women with spinal cord injuries. A total of 108 persons (67 men and 41 women), registered to the Spinal Cord Injury Organization or admitted at rehabilitation unit from February 1999 to February 2000, were selected as subjects of the study. Participants answered the questionnaires concerning importance of life events, sexual concern, sexual adjustment, relationship with a sex partner, and depression. The results are as follows : 1) There were no significant differences between men and women in the general characteristics except sexual dysfunction. 2) With respect to eleven different life areas, sex life ranked the fifth among men, whereas it occupied the lowest position for women among the 11 areas. However economic status was the most highly-ranked for both sex. 3) Men took much interest in the "methods and techniques for achieving sexual satisfaction", "Helping a partner cope emotionally with limitations on sexual activity", whereas women were interested in "Helping a partner cope emotionally with limitations on sexual activity" and "Ability to have children". 4) The means of sexual adjustment, relationship with a sex partner, and depression among men were higher than women. But there was no significant difference between two groups. As a result, the study suggests that there are no significant differences in the general characteristics between men and women with spinal cord injuries except sexual dysfunction. Men evaluated the sexual events highly compared to women, and differences were also shown in terms of sexual concerns between men and women. Therefore differential approaches to sexual rehabilitation are required; in both socio-psychological and physical aspects for men and particularly in socio-psychological respect for women.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.23-39
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of respiratory rehabilitation using a wind instrument for patients suffering from spinal cord injuries. From January 15, 2018 to April 15, 2018, we conducted ten 1-hour sessions of a harmonica program with eight patients with spinal cord injuries with average age of 37 years who could not perform abdominal breathing by themselves. We measured and compared patients' breathing capacity before and after the 10 sessions. Designed particularly for patients with spinal cord injuries resulting in a limited range of neck movement, the study used a 10-hole diatonic harmonica whose length was relatively short. For those patients who had difficulty using their hands, a harmonica holder was provided. Participants were trained to play simple tunes. They were guided to use abdominal breathing to make sounds, with emphasis on those parts requiring long and strong breathing. The results showed that for all eight patients both their breathing volume and their inspiratory volume increased following participation in the harmonica program. Also, the program had psychological benefits (e.g., more life satisfaction and less sadness) and additional physical benefits (e.g., less dizziness due to low blood pressure and better phlegm spitting). This study offers a unique way to help patients with spinal cord injuries to improve their breathing capacity, which may also be associated with a greater quality of life.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.179-186
• /
• 2004

Acute spinal cord injury can produce neurologic injury with many physical, psychological and social ramifications. It has been shown that two separate components combine to produce neurologic damage in acute spinal cord injury : the primary and secondary injuries. The primary mediators of spinal cord injury include the actual mechanical tissue disruption which is a passive process that occurs immediately following the trauma. A secondary injury cascade follows which appears mediated by cellular and molecular processes working through complex mechanisms. Both the primary and secondary injury cascades produce cell death both in neuronal and supporting cell tissues. Recovery from central nervous system(CNS) disorders is hindered by the limited ability of the vertebrate CNS to regenerate injured cells, replace damaged myelin sheath, and re-establish functional neuronal connections. Of many CNS disorders including multiple sclerosis, stroke, and other trauma, spinal cord injury is one of the important diseases because of the direct association with the functional loss of the body. Previous studies suggest that substantial recovery of function might be achieved through regeneration of lost neuronal cells and remyelination of intact axon in spinal cord injury which is occurred frequently. As a therapeutic approach in spinal cord injury, recently, cell transplantation provides a potential solution for the treatment of spinal cord injury. This review describes the characteristics of spinal cord injury and presents some evidence supporting functional recovery after cell transplantation following spinal cord injury.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.145-147
• /
• 2013

We present a case of acute hydrocephalus secondary to cervical spinal cord injury in a patient with diffuse ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). A 75-year-old male patient visited the emergency department with tetraparesis and spinal shock. Imaging studies showed cervical spinal cord injury with hemorrhage and diffuse OPLL from C1 to C4. We performed decompressive laminectomy and occipitocervical fusion. Two days after surgery, his mental status had deteriorated to drowsiness with dilatation of the right pupil. Findings on brain computed tomography revealed acute hydrocephalus and subarachnoid hemorrhage in the cerebellomedullary cistern, therefore, extraventricular drainage was performed immediately. Acute hydrocephalus as a complication of cervical spine trauma is rare, however, it should be considered if the patient shows deterioration of neurologic symptoms.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 1999

For the purpose of disclosing estimated annual incidence rate and causative factors of traumatic spinal cord injury and obtaining basic data for the establishment of effective measures to prevent this injury, the medical record of 204 cases of Seoul residents with spinal cord injury which admitted in 46 general hospitals and National rehabilitation center located in Seoul, including Sam Yook Rehabilitation Center and Jung Ang Hospital in Kyungi do and occurred in 1995 were analyzed. The results were as follows: 1) The estimated annual incidence rate of traumatic spinal cord injury in 1995 of Seoul residents was 20.5 per million population. This incidence rate was the highest in the 40th years (34.1), followed by in the 50th years (26.5) and in the 20th years (25.6) in descending order. 2) The incidence rate ratio between male and female was 3.5:1. 3) The leading cause of injury was the highest in traffic accidents (42.2%), followed by falls from elevation (29.4%) and falls on the same level (9.8%). 4) Traffic accident mainly occured from 20th years to 40th years and falls from elevation in 50th years. 5) The level of spinal cord injury was the highest in cervical cord (63.2%), followed by the thoracic cord (21.1%) and lumbosacral cord (15.7%). Traffic accidents mainly caused in cervical cord injury whereas thoracic cord injury and lumbosacral cord injury were caused from falls from elevation. Above theconsiderations in mind, it suggested that in order to prevent traumatic spinal cord injuries, safety education of falls from elevation should be focused on the 20th years and 50th years male, moreover safety education of traffic accidents will be needed in the 30th years and 40th years male.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.27-42
• /
• 2000

The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of sexual adjustment and quality of life in married men with spinal cord injuries and to furnish primary data to sexuality rehabilitation nursing practice which can lead to ideal sexual life and quality of life those men with SCI. Seventy married men with SCI were conveniently sampled in Kwangju, Suncheon, Mokpo and Seoul for responding the questionnaire, which was based on this research. With the research scale, SIS (Sexual interest and satisfaction) by Siosteen et al.(1990) and SB(Sexual behaviour) by Kreuter et al.(1996) were used for the measurement of sexual adjustment. And, for measuring quality of life was used SCI QL-23(Spinal cord injury of life-23) scale by Lundqvist et al.(1997). Data were collected from January 20 to March 20, 1999, using a structured questionnaire. A hundred volumes of questionnaire were used. and 85 volumes were collected, 70 volumes were used as research data after excluding 15 volumes unsuitable to data analysis. The obtain data were analysed using percentage, t-test, ANOVA, Duncan test, and Pearson's correlation by SAS PC+ program. The results were as follows: 1. The mean score of sexual interest and satisfaction of the subjects was 8.42. out of 18. The ways of their sexual behavior after spinal cord injuries were embracing and caressing (62.9%), kissing(58.6%), caressing breast with hands (55.7%), caressing breast with hands (52.9%), caressing genitals with hands (37.2%), caressing genitals with mouth(30.0%) and sexual intercourse (18.6%). The mean score of quality of life was 52.53 out of 100. 2. Age(F=3.24, p=.045) and caregiver (F=4.02, p=.022)were major variables which reveals significant differences in terms for sexual interest and satisfaction. The later results on Duncan's test showed that subjects who were in their 30s or 40s were significant higher than subjects whose age were in their 50s in their sexual interest and satisfaction. Also subjects with their spouse's care or mother's care were higher than those with other's care. 3. Subjects with incomplete paraplegia were higher than those with the complete paraplegia in sexual interest and satisfaction (F=3.01, p=.036). 4. Variables that showed the significant differences in the quality of life were education(t=2.860, p=.007) and period of marriage(t=2.125, p=.037). and occupational status(t=-2.161, p=.034). High school graduates, those who married before spinal cord injuries and those who didn't have occupation were higher than the other subjects. 5. Variables that revealed significant differences in the quality of life were time passage after spinal cord injuries(F=8.72, p=.001) and injured level of spinal cord(F=3.32, p=.042). Duncan's test showed that subjects who had lived for less than 4 years were higher those with time passage of 5-9 years and 10 years. Also subjects with lumbar injuries were higher than those with thoracic injuries in terms of quality of life. 6. There was negatively correlated between sexual interest and satisfaction and quality of life(r=-.256, p<.05). As a result of these findings sexuality rehabilitation for individuals with SCI was very important issue for their quality of life. Thus, registered nurses who care clients with SCI should activily participate in the client's sexual needs. Also, various sexual behaviors as well as sexual intercourse should be encouraged for the sexual adjustment of client's with SCI.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.80-97
• /
• 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 Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.61 no.4
• /
• pp.434-440
• /
• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to find an optimal delivery route for clinical trials of intrathecal cell therapy for spinal cord injury in preclinical stage. Methods : We compared in vivo distribution of Cy5.5 fluorescent dye in the spinal cord region at various time points utilizing in vivo optical imaging techniques, which was injected into the lateral ventricle (LV) or cisterna magna (CM) of rats. Results : Although CM locates nearer to the spinal cord than the LV, significantly higher signal of Cy5.5 was detected in the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord region at all time points tested when Cy5.5 was injected into the LV. In the LV injection Cy5.5 signal in the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord was observed within 12 hours after injection, which was maintained until 72 hours after injection. In contrast, Cy5.5 signal was concentrated at the injection site in the CM injection at all time points. Conclusion : These data suggested that the LV might be suitable for preclinical injection route of therapeutics targeting the spinal cord to test their treatment efficacy and biosafety for spinal cord diseases in small animal models.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.83-91
• /
• 2011

Objective : Minocycline, a second-generation tetracycline-class antibiotic, has been well established to exert a neuroprotective effect in animal models and neurodegenerative disease through the inhibition of microglia. Here, we investigated the effects of minocycline on motor recovery and neuropathic pain in a rat model of spinal cord injury. Methods : To simulate spinal cord injury, the rats' spinal cords were hemisected at the 10th thoracic level (T10). Minocycline was injected intraperitoneally, and was administered 30 minutes prior surgery and every second postoperative day until sacrifice 28 days after surgery. Motor recovery was assessed via the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan test Mechanical hyperalgesia was measured throughout the 28-day post -operative course via the von Frey test Microglial and astrocyte activation was assessed by immunohistochemical staining for ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (lba1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) at two sites: at the level of hemisection and at the 5th lumbar level (L5). Results : In rats, spinal cord hemisection reduced locomotor function and induced a mechanical hyperalgesia of the ipsilateral hind limb. The expression of lba1 and GFAP was also increased in the dorsal and ventral horns of the spinal cord at the site of hemisection and at the L5 level. Intraperitoneal injection of minocycline facilitated overall motor recovery and attenuated mechanical hyperalgesia. The expression of lba1 and GFAP in the spinal cord was also reduced in rats treated with minocycline. Conclusion : By inhibiting microglia and astrocyte activation, minocycline may facilitate motor recovery and attenuate mechanical hyperalgesia in individuals with spinal cord injuries.

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