Use of screening to recruitment ratios as a tool for planning and implementing spinal cord injury rehabilitation research

Abstract

Having acknowledged these valuable contributors, the authors remain fully and solely responsible for the report and its contents.Please address comments and correspondence concerning this report to info@rickhanseninsti tute.org, with "Incidence and Prevalence Report" in the subject line. D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0This report may be reproduced in whole or in part with appropriate acknowledgement of the source. U R B A N F U T U R E SS S t t r r a a t t e e g g i i c c R R e e s s e e a a r r c c h h t t o o M M a a n n a a g g e e C C h h a a n n g g e e P a g e i December 2010 The Incidence and Prevalence of Spinal Cord Injury in Canada U R B A N F U T U R E SS S t t r r a a t t e e g g i i c c R R e e s s e e a a r r c c h h t t o o M M a a n n a a g g e e C C h h a a n n g g e e P a g e i i December 2010 The Incidence and Prevalence of Spinal Cord Injury in CanadaThis page intentionally left blank. U R B A N F U T U R E SS S t t r r a a t t e e g g i i c c R R e e s s e e a a r r c c h h t t o o M M a a n n a a g g e e C C h h a a n n g g e Executive SummaryThis report was prepared to provide a review of the current measures of the incidence and prevalence of spinal cord injury (SCI) in Canada. It is to be considered within the context of a strategic discussion concerning the need for, and directi on of, further formal research into the extent of spinal cord injury in the country. The report commences with considerati on of defi niti ons relati ng to spinal cord injury, followed by a review of methodology used in the measurement of its incidence (annual number of new cases) and prevalence (total number of people living with SCI, the cumulati ve net result of past SCI), and of the major Canadian publicati ons, and selected internati onal ones, that are concerned with this measurement. On this basis, esti mates of the current levels of incidence and prevalence of spinal cord injury in Canada are presented, before concluding with recommendati ons concerning these esti mates and possible directi ons for further research.The terms of reference for this research were to produce esti mates of the incidence and prevalence of spinal cord injury in Canada based on currently published evidence. It is important to note that no such measures currently exist: very litt le has been published about the extent of spinal cord injury in Canada, and what has is limited to the incidence of traumati c spinal cord injury, with the literature silent on its prevalence, and most strikingly, on both the incidence and prevalence of non-traumati c spinal cord injury. The absence of esti mates of incidence and prevalence is of signifi cant concern, as it limits a wide range of research and policy, ranging from the determinati on of the most eff ecti ve preventi on strategies through the delivery of health and medical care to the considerati on of the fi nancial impact of SCI and funding of preventi on and care programmes.Given the informati on provided in the reviewed publicati ons, and data on the current and historical demography of Canad...

Can targeted job-information for adults with spinal cord dysfunction be effectively delivered online? A pilot study

“…Measures to minimize participant drop out should be incorporated in future trial designs. The high attrition rate in this study, although comparable to SCI cohort research 39 and internet-based interventions, 40 was characterized by a subset of individuals who reported diagnostic symptoms consistent with a depressive disorder (PHQ > 10). Future research might only enrol participants most likely to complete the study, determined by baseline mood status, although this then limits the generalizability of the findings to those who are symptomatic.…”

Functional Electrical Stimulation Plus Visual Feedback Balance Training for Standing Balance Performance Among Individuals With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Series

“…Five individuals did not respond following initial contact, four individuals did not meet the inclusion criteria, and one individual declined to participate due to concerns regarding time commitment. A 2:1 screening to recruitment ratio for SCI rehabilitation interventions (43) has been reported, which may explain our small sample. We reported a 3:1 screening to recruitment ratio for this study.…”

Study participation rate of patients with acute spinal cord injury early during rehabilitation

“…The comparison of participation rates between studies turns out to be futile as a result of how differently recruitment, screening and participation rates have been determined and the various recruitment and screening procedures. For instance, Craven et al 9 have reported the screening to recruitment ratio for different study designs and intervention types (ranging from 5:1 to 2:1). The ratio was calculated by dividing the number of consenting patients who underwent screening by the number of eligible patients enrolled in the study.…”