Lifelong Disability Research Articles

Detection And Management of Lower Body Deformity And Ulceration Extremity In People With A Lived Experience of Diabetes

Background: Diabetes is a silent killer, wherein prolonged poor glucose control could lead to acute diabetic ulcers that are responsible for foot ulcers in the lower body extremities. A diabetic foot is a skin sore formed as a result of skin tissue breaking down and exposing the tissue layers underneath. Chronic conditions of the disease lead to amputation of the limb which is a lifelong disability as well as morbidity. Objective: We have compiled an interesting and informative review on diabetic foot ulceration. Topics and subtopics discussed in the article have scientific relevance for the readers of health management journals. Main Outcome and Results: The cascade of events that lead to ulceration is responsible for degrading vascular changes in nerve fibers, resulting in poor motor neuropathy in the lower extremities. Therefore, detection of diabetic foot and ulceration in the early stage is crucial for proper disease management. Various tools in this regard have been used to detect and monitor diabetic foot occurrence apart from a conventional assessment such as the severity of the infection, infection of the skin, extent or size of the ulcer, depth of tissue infection, and loss of sensation from various parts of the lower body. Furthermore, recent advancement in medical technology has also given some critical diagnostic tools EMG (Electromyography), NCV (Nerve Conduction Velocity), PPG (Photoplethysmography), and SSEP (Somatosensory Evoked Potential). Conclusion: The review discusses various complications related to people with a lived experience of diabetic foot ulcers and some advanced tools to diagnose them. Furthermore, a conclusive discussion on a holistic view of diabetic foot diagnosis methods and available treatments has been summarized which could be more explored for better detection/management of the disease.

Executive functioning, ADHD symptoms and resting state functional connectivity in children with perinatal stroke

Perinatal stroke describes a group of focal, vascular brain injuries that occur early in development, often resulting in lifelong disability. Two types of perinatal stroke predominate, arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) and periventricular venous infarction (PVI). Though perinatal stroke is typically considered a motor disorder, other comorbidities commonly exist including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and deficits in executive function. Rates of ADHD symptoms are higher in children with perinatal stroke and deficits in executive function may also occur but underlying mechanisms are not known. We measured resting state functional connectivity in children with perinatal stroke using previously established dorsal attention, frontoparietal, and default mode network seeds. Associations with parental ratings of executive function and ADHD symptoms were examined. A total of 120 participants aged 6–19 years [AIS N = 31; PVI N = 30; Controls N = 59] were recruited. In comparison to typically developing peers, both the AIS and PVI groups showed lower intra- and inter-hemispheric functional connectivity values in the networks investigated. Group differences in between-network connectivity were also demonstrated, showing weaker anticorrelations between task-positive (frontoparietal and dorsal attention) and task-negative (default mode) networks in stroke groups compared to controls. Both within-network and between-network functional connectivity values were highly associated with parental reports of executive function and ADHD symptoms. These results suggest that differences in functional connectivity exist both within and between networks after perinatal stroke, the degree of which is associated with ADHD symptoms and executive function.

Pengetahuan Perawat Tentang Penanganan Luka Di Rumah Sakit Bhayangkara Kalimantan

Problems and complications that arise due to injuries, if they do not receive proper and serious treatment, can result in lifelong disability and this causes lifelong suffering for the client. The aim of the research was to determine nurses' knowledge of emergency care for injured patients at Bhayangkara Hospital, Kalimantan. This research design uses a descriptive design, a research design that is structured in such a way that researchers can obtain answers to research questions. Research design refers to the type or kind of research chosen to achieve research objectives, and acts as a tool and guide to achieve these objectives. The research results show that a person's length of work in an organization or agency is not synonymous with high productivity. People with a long period of service do not mean they have a high level of proficiency. The longer someone works, the more skilled and experienced they are in their job.

Upper limb sensorimotor recovery in Asian stroke survivors: a study protocol for the development and implementation of a Technology-Assisted dIgitaL biOmaRker (TAILOR) platform.

Stroke is a leading cause of lifelong disability worldwide, partially driven by a reduced ability to use the upper limb in daily life causing increased dependence on caregivers. However, post-stroke functional impairments have only been investigated using limited clinical scores, during short-term longitudinal studies in relatively small patient cohorts. With the addition of technology-based assessments, we propose to complement clinical assessments with more sensitive and objective measures that could more holistically inform on upper limb impairment recovery after stroke, its impact on upper limb use in daily life, and on overall quality of life. This paper describes a pragmatic, longitudinal, observational study protocol aiming to gather a uniquely rich multimodal database to comprehensively describe the time course of upper limb recovery in a representative cohort of 400 Asian adults after stroke. Particularly, we will characterize the longitudinal relationship between upper limb recovery, common post-stroke impairments, functional independence and quality of life. Participants with stroke will be tested at up to eight time points, from within a month to 3 years post-stroke, to capture the influence of transitioning from hospital to community settings. We will perform a battery of established clinical assessments to describe the factors most likely to influence upper limb recovery. Further, we will gather digital health biomarkers from robotic or wearable sensing technology-assisted assessments to sensitively characterize motor and somatosensory impairments and upper limb use in daily life. We will also use both quantitative and qualitative measures to understand health-related quality of life. Lastly, we will describe neurophysiological motor status using transcranial magnetic stimulation. Descriptive analyses will be first performed to understand post-stroke upper limb impairments and recovery at various time points. The relationships between digital biomarkers and various domains will be explored to inform key aspects of upper limb recovery and its dynamics using correlation matrices. Multiple statistical models will be constructed to characterize the time course of upper limb recovery post-stroke. Subgroups of stroke survivors exhibiting distinct recovery profiles will be identified. This is the first study complementing clinical assessments with technology-assisted digital biomarkers to investigate upper limb sensorimotor recovery in Asian stroke survivors. Overall, this study will yield a multimodal data set that longitudinally characterizes post-stroke upper limb recovery in functional impairments, daily-life upper limb use, and health-related quality of life in a large cohort of Asian stroke survivors. This data set generates valuable information on post-stroke upper limb recovery and potentially allows researchers to identify different recovery profiles of subgroups of Asian stroke survivors. This enables the comparisons between the characteristics and recovery profiles of stroke survivors in different regions. Thus, this study lays out the basis to identify early predictors for upper limb recovery, inform clinical decision-making in Asian stroke survivors and establish tailored therapy programs. ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT05322837.

Structural changes of CA1 pyramidal neurons after stroke in the contralesional hippocampus.

Significant progress has been made with regard to understanding how the adult brain responds after a stroke. However, a large number of patients continue to suffer lifelong disabilities without adequate treatment. In the present study, we have analyzed possible microanatomical alterations in the contralesional hippocampus from the ischemic stroke mouse model tMCAo 12-14 weeks after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. After individually injecting Lucifer yellow into pyramidal neurons from the CA1 field of the hippocampus, we performed a detailed three-dimensional analysis of the neuronal complexity, dendritic spine density, and morphology. We found that, in both apical (stratum radiatum) and basal (stratum oriens) arbors, CA1 pyramidal neurons in the contralesional hippocampus of tMCAo mice have a significantly higher neuronal complexity, as well as reduced spine density and alterations in spine volume and spine length. Our results show that when the ipsilateral hippocampus is dramatically damaged, the contralesional hippocampus exhibits several statistically significant selective alterations. However, these alterations are not as significant as expected, which may help to explain the recovery of hippocampal function after stroke. Further anatomical and physiological studies are necessary to better understand the modifications in the "intact" contralesional lesioned brain regions, which are probably fundamental to recover functions after stroke.

Nationwide emergency department visits for pediatric traumatic spinal cord injury in the United States, 2016-2020.

Traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) is a debilitating neurological condition resulting in lifelong disability for many individuals. The primary objectives of our study were to describe national trends in incident emergency department (ED) visits for tSCI among children (less than 21 years) in the United States, and to determine the proportion of visits that resulted in immediate hospitalization each year, including stratified by age and sex. Secondary objectives were to examine associations between select characteristics and hospitalization following tSCI, as well as to assess sports-related tSCIs over time, including by individual sport and geographic region. We used the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Emergency Department Sample to identify ED visits among children between January 2016 and December 2020 for incident tSCI. Diagnosis codes were used to identify tSCI and sports-related injury etiologies. Census Bureau data were used to approximate annual rates of pediatric ED visits for tSCI per 100,000 children. Unconditional logistic regression modeling assessed whether select factors were associated with hospital admission. We found that the annual ED visit rate for tSCI remained relatively stable between 2016 and 2020, with approximately 2,200 new all-cause pediatric ED visits for tSCI annually. Roughly 70% of ED visits for tSCI resulted in hospitalization; most ED visits for tSCI were by older children (15-20 years) and males, who were also more often admitted to the hospital. Notable secondary findings included: (a) compared with older children (15-20 years), younger children (10-14 years) were less likely to be hospitalized immediately following an ED visit for tSCI; (b) patient sex and race were not associated with hospital admission; and (c) American tackle football was the leading cause of sports-related ED visits for tSCI among children. Our findings also suggest that the proportion of sports-related tSCI ED visits may have increased in recent years. Future research should further examine trends in the underlying etiologies of pediatric tSCI, while assessing the effectiveness of new and existing interventions aimed at tSCI prevention.

Yüzme Egzersizinin Siyatik Sinir Hasarı Sonrasında Elektrofizyolojik Parametreler Üzerindeki İyileştirici Etkisi

The sciatic nerve damage can cause symptoms such as loss of muscle strength and pain as a result of trauma to the nerve due to pressure, stretching or cutting, as well as lifelong disability. Despite the increasing knowledge about sciatic nerve regeneration mechanisms, full functional recovery is still insufficient. It is well known that exercise improves overall health. The current study aimed to reveal the therapeutic effects of swimming exercises using electrophysiological methods in rats with experimental sciatic nerve injury. Eighteen male Wistar Albino rats were used in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups (n=6): 1-Control (C), 2-Intact Exercise (IntE), 3-Operated Exercise (OpE) groups. Sciatic nerve injury was performed by inducing experimental damage to the left hind extremity sciatic nerve of rats. Swimming exercise was applied for 45 minutes a day, five days a week (25°C) for four weeks. The level of regeneration was evaluated by taking motor function test-sciatic function index and EMG recording performed at the beginning of the experiment (day 0), after nerve damage (day 3), and at the end of the experiment (day 35). It was determined that sciatic function index, amplitude of motor and sensory nerves, peak-peak amplitude, percentage of compound muscle action potential, motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities, which decreased after sciatic nerve injury, increased with swimming exercise (p

The Role of Witnesses in Prosecuting Cases of Fatal Assault: Legal and Sociological Perspectives

The act of physical assault is one of the persistent phenomena that is difficult to eradicate in society. Various acts of violence, such as physical abuse and battery, often result in injuries to the victim's body or body parts, and sometimes even lead to lifelong physical disabilities or, in severe cases, death. In criminal cases, witnesses hold a crucial position in determining prosecution, as they are considered lawful instruments. This study examines the role of witnesses in the prosecution of cases of fatal assault. The research method employed in this study is normative legal research, also known as doctrinal legal research or library-based legal research. This type of research is conducted by examining secondary data, including primary legal materials, secondary legal materials, and tertiary legal materials. Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that witnesses play a significant and pivotal role in uncovering the truth and facilitating prosecution. From both legal and sociological perspectives, the role of witnesses includes providing evidence, giving testimony, and supporting the public prosecutor. As such, it can be concluded that witnesses have an important role in prosecution, as stipulated in Article 184 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.

Auditory neural processing in children living with HIV uncovers underlying central nervous system dysfunction.

Central nervous system (CNS) damage from HIV infection or treatment can lead to developmental delays and poor educational outcomes in children living with HIV (CLWH). Early markers of central nervous system dysfunction are needed to target interventions and prevent life-long disability. The frequency following response (FFR) is an auditory electrophysiology test that can reflect the health of the central nervous system. In this study, we explore whether the FFR reveals auditory central nervous system dysfunction in CLWH. Cross-sectional analysis of an ongoing cohort study. Data were from the child's first visit in the study. The infectious disease center in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We collected the FFR from 151 CLWH and 151 HIV-negative children. To evoke the FFR, three speech syllabi (/da/, /ba/, /ga/) were played monaurally to the child's right ear. Response measures included neural timing (peak latencies), strength of frequency encoding (fundamental frequency and first formant amplitude), encoding consistency (inter-response consistency), and encoding precision (stimulus-to-response correlation). CLWH showed smaller first formant amplitudes ( P < 0.0001), weaker inter-response consistencies ( P < 0.0001) and smaller stimulus to response correlations ( P < 0.0001) than FFRs from HIV-negative children. These findings generalized across the three speech stimuli with moderately strong effect sizes (partial η2 ranged from 0.061 to 0.094). The FFR shows auditory central nervous system dysfunction in CLWH. Neural encoding of auditory stimuli was less robust, more variable, and less accurate. As the FFR is a passive and objective test, it may offer an effective way to assess and detect central nervous system function in CLWH.

Exploring the health consequences of armed conflict: the perspective of Northeast Ethiopia, 2022: a qualitative study

BackgroundConflict is a complicated topic with a multidimensional consequences for community health. Its effects have a broad pattern, starting from direct war-related morbidity and mortality caused by bullets and bombs to indirect consequences due to the interruption of the delivery of preventive and curative health services. This study aimed to explore the health consequences of the northern Ethiopian conflict in the North Wollo zone, northeast Ethiopia, in 2022.MethodsThis descriptive qualitative study was conducted from May to June 2022 on six conflict-affected Woredas in the north Wollo zone. A total of 100 purposively selected participants, which included patients, pregnant women, elders, community and religious leaders, and health professionals, were interviewed using IDI and FGD. The data was entered, coded, and analyzed using Open Code version 4.03. Thematic analysis approach employed to conduct the interpretation. Data was presented using descriptive statistics in the form of texts and tables.ResultsThe findings indicate that the conflict has caused a profound consequence on population health. It has resulted in a wide range of direct and indirect consequences, ranging from war-related casualties, famine, and disruptions of supply chains and forced displacement to instances of violence and rape associated with insecurity. The conflict also caused a breakdown in the health system by causing distraction of health infrastructure, fleeing of health workers and shortage of medication, together with insecurity and lack of transportation, which greatly affected the provision and utilization of health services. Additionally, the conflict has resulted in long-term consequences, such as the destruction of health facilities, interruption of immunization services, posttraumatic stress disorders, and lifelong disabilities. The coping strategies utilized were using available traditional medicines and home remedies, obtaining medications from conflict-unaffected areas, and implementing home-to-home healthcare services using available supplies.ConclusionThe Northern Ethiopian conflict has an impact on community health both directly and indirectly through conflict-related causalities and the breakdown of the health system and health-supporting structures. Therefore, this study recommends immediate rehabilitation interventions for damaged health infrastructure and affected individuals.

Long-term follow-up of keystone perforator island flap in reconstructed myelomeningocele defects

Myelomeningocele (a type of spina bifida) is the most common congenital condition that causes lifelong physical disability and requires multi-system surgical procedures. Therefore, it is paramount to reconstruct them using a stable and robust method that heals with minimal wound issues and produces maximum durability.We published a case series on reconstruction of myelomeningocele defects using keystone perforator island flap in the Annals of Plastic Surgery in 2016.1 We aim to report the results of long-term follow-up of 14 years on our case series, where we assessed their scars using POSAS 3.0. We also assessed their quality of life using the QUALAS tool for teenagers.While there are multiple reconstructive options for the closure of myelomeningocele defects, we believe that the keystone perforator island flap technique is reliable and safe as it utilizes the en bloc movement of a large flap of well-vascularized skin, cutis, and muscular fascia to close large defects in the lumbar-sacral regions in newborns, resulting in stable scars.2–7

Hemophilia in pediatric age

Hemophilia represents the most common inherited bleeding disorder linked to the X chromosome, which, if not properly treated, can lead to lifelong disabilities. This article presents the cases of 18 patients with hemophilia admitted between 2006-2022 to the Pediatric Oncohematology Department, Clinic II Pediatrics, Emergency County Hospital Craiova. Clinical and evolutionary aspects of the hospitalized patients are presented, including age at the time of diagnosis, heredocolateral history, symptoms at onset, clinical manifestations during the course of hospitalization, complications and prophylactic treatment.

B-050 A Versatile Immunoassay Platform for Fast Multiplex Detection of Protein Biomarkers Based on A Novel Magnetic Particle System

Abstract Background A major challenge of clinical diagnostic applications in the field of emergency department is the not only fast but also accurate measurement of multiple protein biomarkers with broad dynamic range spectrum. Here, we describe the development of a versatile immunoassay platform, the VEUS (Versatile, Easy, and User-friendly System), with compact size which occupies minimal space. Methods The VEUS is designed to enable fast multiplex detection (i.e., 15∼60 minutes) of target proteins at a concentration with a low limit of detection (i.e., &amp;lt;1 pg/mL) by automation of overall immunoassay processes.The system possesses four core technologies enabling entirely automated rapid diagnostics: (1) novel magnetic particles for enabling multiplexed assay using various length of rod-shaped magnetic particles (RSMPs) with conjugated individual antibodies, (2) RSMP movement controlling (up &amp; down/well to well) for increasing antibody-antigen reaction and washing efficiency, (3) a unique optical module for highly sensitive imaging under large field of view for a whole imaging well, and (4) an artificial intelligence (A.I.) based intrinsic program for fast and accurate fluorescent signal analysis which covers detection and classification of RSMP based on their length, and then measurement of fluorescent signal and conversion to biomarker concentration. We evaluated clinical performance of the VEUS platform to diagnose traumatic brain injury (TBI), an emergency disease, as a proof of concept of the versatile immunoassay platform. Among TBI, mild TBI (mTBI) is prevalent in younger population with high level of physical activities that have been linked to increased rate of incidences. Although mTBI is rarely resulted in death, unidentified by the Computed Tomography (CT) and prolonged mTBI as a stealth pathology, may cause life-long disability. Results We determined the assay cut-off value from critical concentration of GFAP (Glial fibrillary acidic protein) and UCH-L1 (Ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1) as of 24 pg/mL and 138 pg/mL, respectively. The VEUS performance for a TBI clinical test showed 94.38 % sensitivity and 98.99 % specificity with the clinical serum samples of 89 TBI patients and 97 healthy controls within 50 minutes from the multiplexed assay of GFAP and UCH-L1. Conclusions As a versatile immunoassay platform, the VEUS system showed high specificity and sensitivity from the clinical test for the TBI diagnosis. Thus, the VEUS system can contribute to proper treatment for the TBI patients with rapid and accurate clinical results and be also applied for an independent and a precise diagnosis of multiple emergency diseases, such as sepsis, myocardial infraction, heart failure, and stroke which are common in the field of emergency department.

LRP5, Bone Mass Polymorphisms and Skeletal Disorders.

The formation and maintenance of the gross structure and microarchitecture of the human skeleton require the concerted functioning of a plethora of morphogenic signaling processes. Through recent discoveries in the field of genetics, numerous genotypic variants have been implicated in pathologic skeletal phenotypes and disorders arising from the disturbance of one or more of these processes. For example, total loss-of-function variants of LRP5 were found to be the cause of osteoporosis-pseudoglioma syndrome (OPPG). LRP5 encodes for the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5, a co-receptor in the canonical WNT-β-catenin signaling pathway and a crucial protein involved in the formation and maintenance of homeostasis of the human skeleton. Beyond OPPG, other partial loss-of-function variants of LRP5 have been found to be associated with other low bone mass phenotypes and disorders, while LRP5 gain-of-function variants have been implicated in high bone mass phenotypes. This review introduces the roles that LRP5 plays in skeletal morphogenesis and discusses some of the structural consequences that result from abnormalities in LRP5. A greater understanding of how the LRP5 receptor functions in bone and other body tissues could provide insights into a variety of pathologies and their potential treatments, from osteoporosis and a variety of skeletal abnormalities to congenital disorders that can lead to lifelong disabilities.

Advancing Spinal Cord Injury Treatment through Stem Cell Therapy: A Comprehensive Review of Cell Types, Challenges, and Emerging Technologies in Regenerative Medicine.

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) can lead to significant neurological deficits and lifelong disability, with far-reaching physical, psychological, and economic consequences for affected individuals and their families. Current treatments for SCIs are limited in their ability to restore function, and there is a pressing need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising strategy to promote the regeneration and repair of damaged neural tissue following SCIs. This review article comprehensively discusses the potential of different stem cell types, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs), in SCI treatment. We provide an in-depth analysis of the unique advantages and challenges associated with each stem cell type, as well as the latest advancements in the field. Furthermore, we address the critical challenges faced in stem cell therapy for SCIs, including safety concerns, ethical considerations, standardization of protocols, optimization of transplantation parameters, and the development of effective outcome measures. We also discuss the integration of novel technologies such as gene editing, biomaterials, and tissue engineering to enhance the therapeutic potential of stem cells. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts among various stakeholders in the scientific community, including researchers, clinicians, bioengineers, industry partners, and patients, to overcome these challenges and realize the full potential of stem cell therapy for SCI patients. By fostering such collaborations and advancing our understanding of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, we can pave the way for the development of groundbreaking therapies that improve the lives of those affected by SCIs.

Relationship between Total Communication and Social Relationship among Learners with ASDs

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that results in triad of impairments in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction and repetitive behavior. These core deficits hinder the holistic development of learners with ASDs. Unless they are effectively addressed through strategies such as total communication, these core deficits may lead to learners not acquiring social interaction skills that are quite vital for their normal development. The purpose of the study was to establish relationship between total communication and development of social relationship skills among learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorders in Emuhaya sub-county Kenya. The population of the study comprised of six special schools with a teacher population of sixteen ten regular primary schools with special units with a teacher population of five each and three officials from the Ministry of Education. Due to small number of respondents, saturated sampling technique was used. Instruments for data collection were; semi structured questionnaires, check lists. Semi structured interview schedules, and observation schedules. Content validity was determined by presenting tools to experts in the school of education who judged their validity. Tools were refined based on their comments. Reliability of the study was established through test retest methods. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Quantitative data was analyzed by use of descriptive and inferential statistics. The finding of the study indicated that that there was relationship between Total Communication and social interaction and the use of Total Communication had influence on development of social relationships among children with ASDs. Based on this finding it is recommended that training of teachers in Total communication and preparation of IEP be intensified in schools to facilitate the development of social relationship among learners with ASDs.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men: A discussion to be had.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a lifelong disability of varying severity that occurs among individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol. Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) Australians, the effects of colonisation and ongoing racism could increase the risk of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Much of the research and the effort towards prevention of and caring for people with FASD in Indigenous communities has been targeted towards women and children. More support and effort towards prevention of FASD is needed across the whole Indigenous community. In this paper, we discuss several areas for increased involvement by Indigenous men in future FASD research, prevention, care and support.

Randomized clinical trial on the effects of a computerized cognitive training for pediatric patients with acquired brain injury or congenital malformation

Both acquired injuries and congenital malformations often cause lifelong disabilities in children, with a significant impact on cognitive abilities. Remote computerized cognitive training (CCT) may be delivered in ecological settings to favour rehabilitation continuity. This randomized clinical trial (RCT) evaluated the efficacy of an 8-week multi-domain, home-based CCT in a sample of patients aged 11–16 years with non-progressive acquired brain injury (ABI), brain tumor (BT) and congenital brain malformation (CBM). Following a stepped-wedge research design, patients were randomized into two groups: Training-first group, which started the CCT immediately after baseline assessment and Waiting-first group, which started the CCT after a period of time comparable to that required by the training (8 weeks). Post-training and long-term (6 months) changes were assessed. Both groups improved on visual–spatial working memory after the CCT, with benefits maintained after 6 months, while no other changes in cognitive or psychological measures were found. These findings suggest that a multi-domain CCT can generate benefits in visual–spatial working memory, in accordance with data from extant literature reporting that computer games heavily engage visuo-spatial abilities. We speculate that is tapping on the same cognitive ability with a prolonged training that may generate the greatest change after a CCT.

Increasing Eye Injuries Following Exposure to Laser Beams, the Silent Epidemic

Increasing Eye Injuries Following Exposure to Laser Beams, the Silent Epidemic

Workshop (Clinical/Best Practice Implementation) ID 2000428

Background/Objectives This workshop aims to overview degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), which is the most common cause of non-traumatic spinal cord injury across the world. DCM is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 50 adults; however, &amp;lt; 10% receive a diagnosis, and lifelong disability remains a common outcome. Upon completion of this workshop, attendees will (1) understand the diagnostic criteria and investigations for DCM and avoid misdiagnosis in the primary care level; (2) recognise the indications and role of surgical treatment; (3) comprehend the impact of prehabilitation and rehabilitation; (4) understand the alternatives for non-operative management of DCM; and (5) appreciate the importance of raising awareness of this disease. Methods/Overview This workshop will review the diagnostic criteria and investigations for individuals with different degrees of DCM, the current clinical practice guidelines for management of DCM with focus on the role of surgical decompression of spinal cord, the role of prehabilitation and rehabilitation, current non-operative options for patients with DCM, and some initiatives focused on raising awareness of this disease. Results This workshop will include lectures (10-15 minutes each) with illustrative cases followed by open discussion on the following topics: (i) diagnosis, misdiagnosis and investigations in DCM; (ii) surgical management of DCM; (iii) prehabilitation and rehabilitation in DCM; and (iv) non-operative management of DCM. Conclusions Although DCM is the most common cause of non-traumatic spinal cord disease, there is a need for the development of a tailored and multi-disciplinary care framework for management of DCM, which would improve patients’ outcomes. Greater awareness of DCM among healthcare professionals is urged to avoid misdiagnosis and mitigate the long-term consequences of this disease.