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As the leading resource for peer-reviewed State-of-the-Science information on Spinal Cord Injury and Disease, Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation (TSCIR) is an interdisciplinary journal devoted to the study and dissemination of practical and theoretical information related to the subject of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation.
TSCIR ANNOUNCEMENTS:
November, 2024 • Call for Papers!
Special issue on:
Evidence-based Recommendations for Exercise-Intervention studies involving people with Spinal Cord Injury
Guest Editors: Kathleen Martin Ginis, Matteo Ponzano, Mark Nash
Manuscripts due by July 8, 2025
TSCIR Submission Details
The number of published exercise trials in people living with spinal cord injury (PwSCI) has grown exponentially over the past five decades. However, the trials often have methodological limitations, which affect the quality and the clinical relevance of the research. For instance, a systematic review of 211 exercise studies involving PwSCI detected serious or very serious risk of bias for all outcomes of interest (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness, power output, muscle strength, cardiovascular disease, and bone health). Such potential for bias negatively affects the certainty of the evidence of exercise-intervention research with PwSCI and the confidence with which clinicians and scientists can make recommendations about using exercise to improve health outcomes in PwSCI.
Recently, an international team of authors used a consensus-based process to formulate a set of 33 recommendations for conducting exercise-intervention research involving PwSCI1[1]. The recommendations address elements such as participant recruitment, outcome measurement, exercise intervention prescription and delivery, supporting adherence to the intervention, fidelity of the delivery of the intervention, and monitoring and reporting adverse events. It is expected that adopting these recommendations will increase the quality and the overall certainty of the evidence regarding the effects of exercise on health outcomes in PwSCI.
The purpose of this special issue is to provide detailed guidance on how to follow the recommendations. For example, the recommendations outline what should be measured in exercise trials, but they do not explain how to conduct these assessments; the recommendations advise meaningfully engaging people with SCI in the design of studies, but do not explain how to do this effectively. We invite papers to this special issue that address these, and other questions of how to conduct high-quality SCI exercise research in a manner that aligns with the newly developed recommendations.
Some examples of topics might include papers that:
-present new methods for conducting fitness and other outcome assessments in field settings
-address reliability and validity of outcome measures in people with SCI
-evaluate approaches for assessing implementation of research protocols
– test methods for improving adherence and retention in exercise trials
– discuss strategies for meaningful engagement of people with lived experience of SCI in the research process and research co-production
-describe innovative quantitative and qualitative methodologies that will improve the quality of exercise trials involving people with SCI
Submission Timeline: We ask that authors submit manuscripts by July 8, 2025.
>>>>>>Important Submission Notes<<<<<<
October, 2024 • Call for Papers!
Special issue on:
International Standards for Spinal Cord Injury
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rüdiger Rupp, Professor of Assistive Neurotechnology, Heidelberg University
Manuscripts due by January 15, 2025
TSCIR Submission Details:
The International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) serves as the international gold standard for determining the level and severity of spinal cord injuries (SCI). It exemplifies what can be achieved through consistent standardization and the provision of education and training resources. Since its introduction in 1992, ISNCSCI has not only enhanced our understanding of SCI, but also provided a common language for professionals worldwide to characterize individuals with these injuries. Its widespread use in clinical and research settings has established a knowledge base that facilitates a certain prediction of sensorimotor recovery following traumatic SCI. The adoption of ISNSCI at an international level enables benchmarking of outcomes across various health and rehabilitation systems. Additionally, the availability of extensive databases containing thousands of ISNCSCI datasets is essential for applying advanced artificial intelligence algorithms aiming for individualized prediction models.
In addition to ISNCSCI, many other standardized, internationally accepted assessments exist, such as the International Standards to Document Remaining Autonomic Function after Spinal Cord Injury (ISAFSCI). However, the topic of “International Standards” in this special issue extends beyond assessments like ISNCSCI and ISAFSCI. Clinical practice guidelines endorsed by international experts also represent a critical aspect of International Standards. These recommendations are designed to achieve the highest level of care for individuals with SCI and are informed by evidence from global literature and an independent evaluation of the benefits and risks associated with various care options. Typically, clinical practice guidelines involve a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating input from medical professionals and individuals with lived experience.
While the introduction of standards offers numerous advantages, there is a significant risk that they may not be adapted to reflect new evidence. Standards must be continuously reviewed to address complex or conflicting issues, incorporate emerging evidence, and respond to the evolving needs of the field.
With this call, we invite authors to contribute primary research or systematic reviews studies to the special issue “International Standards”. The special issue will consider publishing studies that show negative and non-findings on an equal basis to those demonstrating positive findings.
It will encompass but is not limited to topics related to:
- The clinical and research use of the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) as the neurological standard exam of sensorimotor functions.
- The International Standards to Document Remaining Autonomic Function after Spinal Cord injury (ISAFSCI) for characterization of the autonomic dysfunctions of individuals with spinal cord injury.
- Other assessments and standardized data sets covering various aspects of SCI to allow for better professional communication and characterization of people with SCI.
- Internationally accepted, standardized clinical practice guidelines.
Submission Timeline: The manuscript submission deadline is January 15, 2025.
Important Submission Notes:
- Cover Letter: Summarize the purpose of the paper and key topics to be discussed. Relevance to the special issue theme and scientific impact should be noted. During the submission process, please reference “Special Issue”.
- Manuscripts: Prepared in compliance with TSCIR’S instructions to authors.
Submit through Editorial Manager: https://asia-spinalinjury.org/author-instructions/ - All submitted manuscripts will undergo peer review prior to a final decision on publication.
- Papers that are not appropriate for inclusion in this Special Issue may be rerouted (with the authors’ knowledge and consent) for consideration for publication in TSCIR as regular paperers.
- Direct all inquiries and letters of intent to TSCIR’s office: TSCIR_editor@asia-spinalinjury.org
