This next item concerns my ACCP presentation,"Improved Cough Using a
Trained Service Dog for a Tetraplegic"
Although numerous high-tech devices are available to assist the physically
disabled, many daily needs are still unmet. People with tetraplegia are
unable to cough effectively. The inability to cough and clear mucus out of
the lungs puts these paralyzed individuals at high risk for pneumonia.
A man who has been paralyzed from the neck down for over five years has
found a way to cough better and prevent serious respiratory problems.
Heidi, his CCI golden retriever has been trained to press against his
abdomen to help the man cough when he has increased chest congestion. As
his physician at the Spinal Cord Injury Unit at the VA Palo Alto Health
Care System in Palo Alto, California, I measured the force of the man's
cough. The dog's actions were found to markedly improve the ability of the
man to cough. My prior pulmonary research has shown that electrical
stimulation can enhance the ability to cough in tetraplegia, and I believe
that the use of a trained Canine Companion could give other paralyzed
individuals improved lung function while reducing costs of attendant care.
Janis Thom, a registered nurse at the Spinal Cord Injury Unit, has shown
that Canine Companions can be trained to assist the physically disabled in
many activities of daily living. Canine Companions for Independence has
been training dogs to assist people with disabilities other than blindness
since 1975.
Also please note the web sites
"http://weber.u.washington.edu/~rehab/sci/5-3/ventilatory.html " & regarding
Electrical stimulation to enhance
cough in quadriplegia-"http://www.bandb-medical.com/artquikcoff.htm " &
"http://www.bandb-medical.com/]quikcoff.htm" This can be an important aid
for restoring cough in quadriplegia.
Following up our interest in this area: Department of Veterans Affairs has
just issued Spinal Cord Care-Clinical Practice Guidelines. The Clinical
guidelines for Respiratory management include methods to clear secretions
such as assisted cough,active suction, and stimulation of the abdominal
mscles. Contact The Paralyzed Veterans of America (202)USA-1300.
STEVEN H. LINDER MD
128 SCI VA HOSPITAL
3801 Miranda Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94304
ph(415)493-5000 x 6-4303
FAX(415)852-3455