Drinking patterns, alcohol expectancies, and coping strategies were assessed for 121 persons with recent spinal cord injuries during hospitalization, 3 months after surgery, and 12 months after surgery. Although the rate of heavy drinking decreased, preinjury problem drinkers still had the lowest rate of positive reappraisal, problem solving, and…

This study compared the neurological state and results of treatment for patients with traumatic spinal cord injury who were intoxicated (n=424) or sober (n=769) on admission to a Warsaw (Poland) hospital. In the intoxicated group, the number of patients with symptoms of complete spinal cord injury was much greater than that of the sober group. (DB)

Study investigates whether epidemiological data describing injuries could help physicians differentiate intentional from unintentional injury. Case vignettes describing child's injury were sent to 280 physicians. Responses were received from 59 percent; 48 percent were pediatricians, and 37 percent had trained in emergency medicine. Pediatricians…

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons launched a national public education campaign focusing on the problem of injuries related to playground equipment. The article presents several of its recommendations for playground safety and provides instructions for obtaining a free brochure. (SM)

Discusses typical playground hazards, environmental factors affecting safety in play areas, playground safety guidelines and standards established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society of Testing Materials, and playground surfacing and equipment. Offers suggestions for reducing the number and severity of playground…

At many high schools, participation in football is declining. Many potential players choose to participate in other sports. Demographics is also seen as a contributor to the decline. In addition, many students are choosing other activities such as after school jobs instead of high school athletics. (IAH)

Eating and drinking places reported large numbers of workplace injuries and illnesses, primarily to teenagers and women who comprise most of the industry's work force. Sprains, cuts, and burns were leading work disabilities. (Author)

Reviews causes and treatment of heat syncope, heat exhaustion, and exertional heatstroke and discusses the effectiveness of cooling heatstroke victims in ice versus cooled water. Cooled water appears to be as effective, though ice water decreases the incidence of cardiovascular complications. An energy depletion model is presented. (Author/SM)

Describes the scope and importance of gastrointestinal bleeding in runners and other athletes, discussing causes, sites, and implications of exercise-related bleeding. Practical tips to mitigate the problem, potentially more troublesome in women because of lower iron stores, are presented (e.g., gradual conditioning and avoidance of prerace…

Reviews physical, cognitive, and behavioral characteristics of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can place a child at risk for poor school adjustment. Proposes an ecological approach to school-based assessment and interventions that considers developmental factors and quality of the school environment. Discusses key issues for school success…

Contingent instructional-pacing was used successfully to reduce the frequency of stereotypic motor behavior displayed by a 15-year old boy with acquired brain injury. The procedure consisted of presenting verbal instructions requiring him to perform a simple motor response each time stereotypy was demonstrated. This intervention reduced…

Males with closed head injuries (n=30) participated in a study of their ability to follow simple written and verbal instructions, upper extremity function for a simple meal task, and ability to attend to a task for 30 minutes. Hands-on tasks resulted in greater recall of instructions than verbal training only. (Contains 15 references.) (JOW)

Discusses Indiana High School Athletic Association rule requiring that athletes play in 50 percent of team's regularly scheduled contests to be eligible for state tournament. Examines Indiana case and argues rule should be changed or eliminated. Proposes adding injury exception, publicizing athletic association rules and interpretations, and…

Used confirmatory factor analysis to study the nature of memory distinctions underlying the performance of two samples of Vietnam veterans. One sample (n=96) had received head injuries resulting in relatively small lesions; the other (n=85) had not. A four-component model with verbal-episodic, visual-episodic, semantic, and short-term memory…

Discusses how purposeful heading of soccer balls and head injuries affect soccer players' cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive deficits may occur for many reasons. Heading cannot be blamed when details of the actual event and impact are unknown. Concussions are the most common head injury in soccer and a factor in cognitive deficits and are probably…