• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.48-57
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the general characteristics, complications and level of social adaptation of spinal cord injured patients. The subjects were one hundred forty five members who were inpatients or outpatients from October 1, 2004 to April 30, 2005 in general hospitals and municipal welfare centers for the handicapped located in the metropolitan city of Gwangju. The following results were obtained using Modified Barthel Index (MBI). 1) Gender distribution was 77.9% male and 22.1% female. The mean age at the time of injury was 35.4 and the mean age during the study was 44.2. 2) The degree of paralysis among the subjects was as follows: 49.0% had complete paralysis and 51.0% suffered incomplete paralysis. The most frequently injured lesion among the subjects was cervical (49.0%), followed by thoracic (35.9%), and lumbar (15.2%). 3) The mean MBI score was 63.5. There was statistically significant difference in the MBI score in the relation between complete and incomplete paralysis, the relation between cervical, thoracic, and lumbar injury, and the relation between a recovery period of less than three years and more than three years according to the characteristics of injury (p<.05). 4) There was statistically significant difference in the MBI score of subjects who had complications concerning spasticity, deformity, urinary tract infection, and sexual dysfunction (p<.05). 5) The most serious emotional pain after spinal cord injury resulted from economic issues, which affected 35.2% of the subjects. The group having a shorter recovery period after spinal cord injury complained of psychological matters, the group having a longer recovery period complained about the surrounding environment (lack of convenient facilities), suggesting statistically significant difference (p<.05). 6) The most common activities of the group with injuries more than ten years old included meeting schoolmates and working, while most common activities of the group with injuries less than three years old included attending religious functions and miscellaneous others (watching TV, spending time with family), suggesting statistically significant difference (p<.05).

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2020

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most devastating conditions and many SCI patients suffer neurological sequelae. Stem cell therapies are expected to be beneficial for many patients with central nervous system injuries, including SCI. Adult stem cells (ASCs) are not associated with the risks which embryonic stem cells have such as malignant transformation, or ethical problems, and can be obtained relatively easily. Consequently, many researchers are currently studying the effects of ASCs in clinical trials. The environment of transplanted cells applied in the injured spinal cord differs between the phases of SCI; therefore, many researchers have investigated these phases to determine the optimal time window for stem cell therapy in animals. In addition, the results of clinical trials should be evaluated according to the phase in which stem cells are transplanted. In general, the subacute phase is considered to be optimal for stem cell transplantation. Among various candidates of transplantable ASCs, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are most widely studied due to their clinical safety. MSCs are also less immunogenic than neural stem/progenitor cells and consequently immunosuppressants are rarely required. Attempts have been made to enhance the effects of stem cells using scaffolds, trophic factors, cytokines, and other drugs in animal and/or human clinical studies. Over the past decade, several clinical trials have suggested that transplantation of MSCs into the injured spinal cord elicits therapeutic effects on SCI and is safe; however, the clinical effects are limited at present. Therefore, new therapeutic agents, such as genetically enhanced stem cells which effectively secrete neurotrophic factors or cytokines, must be developed based on the safety of pure MSCs.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.37-54
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• 2022

Objectives This review investigates the effectiveness of electroacupuncture for impairment of motor and sensory functions after spinal cord injury. Methods The databases used for the search were PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), National Digital Science Library (NDSL), Koreanstudies Information Service System (KISS), Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), KMBASE, and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS). The literature were searched using a total of 9 domestic and foreign databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using electroacupuncture as an intervention was selected. The selected studies are analyzed the risk of bias through Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and meta-analysis was perfomed using RevMan version 5.3 (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). Results A total of 14 RCT studies were selected through 9 domestic and foreign databases, and analyzed. As a result of meta-analysis, when electroacupuncture was performed together with rehabilitation treatment or western drug treatment, it was effective in the recovery of motor and sensory functions of spinal cord injury patients. Conclusions This review suggests that electroacupuncture can be applied as an effective treatment for the recovery of motor and sensory functions of spinal cord injuries. However, there are several limitations, including the small number and heterogeneity of the included studies, as well as their poor methodological quality. Therefore, further, higher-quality studies should be required.

• Journal of the Korean Physical Therapy Association
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• s.3
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• pp.27-37
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• 1981

The Sexual Function Study and Its Rehabilitation Of the Patients With Spinal Cord Injuries Park Ji Whan, R.P.T. Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine, nanyang University Hospital The patient with complete spinal cord injuries cannot expect normal intercourse. In spite of these ultimate limitations. coitus is practied with gratification by about a third of paraplegic men. and probably a higher percentage of paraplegic women. Th-is is possible since a significant percentage of paraplegic men can have erections .In patients with upper motor neurone lesions at any spinal level, reflex erections can be produced by local stimulation , in. patients with lesions at higher levels, the probability of success is greater. The ability to have erections, psychic or reflex or both, usually appears within six months after injury .

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify levels of hope, self-esteem, and quality of life, and to find correlations among these variables in people with spinal cord injury. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey. The data were collected by survey interview in 2010 from 120 people with spinal cord injury living in the community. To measure hope, self-esteem and quality of life, the Dispositional Hope Scale, Self-Esteem Scale, and World Health Organization's Quality of Life Instrument were utilized respectively. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis using SPSS version 12.0. Results: Mean score of hope was 2.56 and that of self-esteem was 3.23. Mean score of quality of life was 3.01. Statistically significant relationships were found between quality of life and hope (r=.73, p<.001), and between quality of life and self-esteem (r=.67, p<.001). Multiple regression analyses showed that hope and self-esteem were statistically significant in predicting quality of life with the explanatory power of 59.1%. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that nursing interventions fostering hope and self-esteem should be integrated in developing rehabilitation programs to improve quality of life for people with spinal cord injury.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 1996

Spinal cord injury in child often occurs without evidence of fracture or dislocation. The mechanisms of neural damage in this syndrome of spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality(SCIWORA) include flexion, hyperextension, longitudinal distraction, and ischemia. Inherent elasticity of the vertebral column in infants and young children, among other age-related anatomical peculiarities, render the pediatric spine exceedingly vulnerable to deforming forces. The neurological lesions encountered in this syndrome include a high incidence of complete and severe partial cord lesions. Children younger than 8years old sustain more serious neurological damage and suffer a larger number of upper cervical cord lesions than children aged over 8 years. Of the children with SCIWORA. 52% have delayed onset of paralysis up to 4 days after injury, and most of these children recall transient paresthesia, numbness, or subjective paralysis. The long-term prognosis in cases of SCIWORA is grim. Most children with complete and severe lesions do not recover; only those with initially mild neural injuries make satisfactory neurological recovery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.232-241
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• 2016

Background: Paraplegia is a devastating complication following operations on the thoracoabdominal aorta. We investigated whether histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution could reduce the extent of ischemia/reperfusion (IR) spinal cord injuries in a rat model using a direct delivery method. Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into four groups. The sham group (n=6) underwent a sham operation, the IR group (n=6) underwent only an aortic occlusion, the saline infusion group (saline group, n=6) underwent an aortic occlusion and direct infusion of cold saline into the occluded aortic segment, and the HTK infusion group (HTK group, n=6) underwent an aortic occlusion and direct infusion of cold HTK solution into the occluded aortic segment. An IR spinal cord injury was induced by transabdominal clamping of the aorta distally to the left renal artery and proximally to the aortic bifurcation for 60 minutes. A neurological evaluation of locomotor function was performed using the modified Tarlov score after 48 hours of reperfusion. The spinal cord was harvested for histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. Results: The spinal cord IR model using direct drug delivery in rats was highly reproducible. The Tarlov score was 4.0 in the sham group, $1.17{\pm}0.75$ in the IR group, $1.33{\pm}1.03$ in the saline group, and $2.67{\pm}0.81$ in the HTK group (p=0.04). The histopathological analysis of the HTK group showed reduced neuronal cell death. Conclusion: Direct infusion of cold HTK solution into the occluded aortic segment may reduce the extent of spinal cord injuries in an IR model in rats.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.6-11
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• 2023

Spinal cord injury (SCI) has a significant negative effect on the quality of life due to permanent neurologic damage and economic burden by continuous treatment and rehabilitation. However, determining the correct approach to ensure optimal clinical outcomes can be challenging and remains highly controversial. In particular, with the introduction of the concept of early decompression in brain pathology, the discussion of the timing of decompression in SCI has emerged. In addition to that, the concept of "time is spine" has been added recently, and the mortality and complications caused by SCI have been reduced by providing timely and professional treatment to patients. However, there are many difficulties in establishing international clinical guidelines for the timing of early decompression in SCI because policies for each country and medical institution differ according to the circumstances of medical infrastructure and economic conditions in the surgical treatment of SCI. Therefore, we aim to provide a current review of timing of early decompression in patient with SCI.

• 재활복지
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.83-102
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to provide basic data for effective management and prevention of chronic diseases and secondary complications as elderly spinal cord injuries(SCI). The subjects were 200 spinal cord injuries admitted to S hospital from April, 2013 to April, 2018. We investigated the occurrence of chronic diseases and secondary complication through medical records. The results showed that SCI were affected chronic diseases and secondary complications over 50years. The prevalence of chronic diseases and secondary complications over 50 years of age had the odds ratio 11.8 times higher in hypertension and 6.7 times diabetes mellitus. Secondary complications had the odds ratio Osteoporosis 7.5 times, Pneumonia 5.2 times, and central pain 0.4 times. We suggest that continuous management and service of chronic diseases and secondary complications of elderly SCI are necessary. It will be necessary to expand the target population and to study various characteristics including.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.153-165
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• 2019

Objective : Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a very serious health problem, usually caused by a trauma and accompanied by elevated levels of inflammation indicators. Stem cell-based therapy is promising some valuable strategies for its functional recovery. Nestin-positive progenitor and/or stem cells (SC) isolated from pancreatic islets (PI) show mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) characteristics. For this reason, we aimed to analyze the effects of rat pancreatic islet derived stem cell (rPI-SC) delivery on functional recovery, as well as the levels of inflammation factors following SCI. Methods : rPI-SCs were isolated, cultured and their MSC characteristics were determined through flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analysis. The experimental rat population was divided into three groups : 1) laminectomy & trauma, 2) laminectomy & trauma & phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and 3) laminectomy+trauma+SCs. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) labelled rPI-SCs were transplanted into the injured rat spinal cord. Their motilities were evaluated with Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) Score. After 4-weeks, spinal cord sections were analyzed for GFP labeled SCs and stained for vimentin, $S100{\beta}$, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), 2',3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and proinflammatory (interleukin [IL]-6, transforming growth factor $[TGF]-{\beta}$, macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]-2, myeloperoxidase [MPO]) and anti-inflammatory (IL-1 receptor antagonis) factors. Results : rPI-SCs were revealed to display MSC characteristics and express neural and glial cell markers including BDNF, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), fibronectin, microtubule associated protein-2a,b (MAP2a,b), ${\beta}3$-tubulin and nestin as well as anti-inflammatory prostaglandin E2 receptor, EP3. The BBB scores showed significant motor recovery in group 3. GFP-labelled cells were localized on the injury site. In addition, decreased proinflammatory factor levels and increased intensity of anti-inflammatory factors were determined. Conclusion : Transplantation of PI-SCs might be an effective strategy to improve functional recovery following spinal cord trauma.