Neurogenic bowel and bladder evaluation strategies in spinal cord injury: New directions

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to various health issues that limit independence and quality of life, including neurogenic bowel and bladder dysfunction. A workshop by the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation in 2017 focused on translating research into practical bowel and bladder management strategies for individuals with SCI. This journal issue features articles that rigorously assess clinical tools and metrics for evaluating neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction, advocating for their use in clinical trials.

• 1
  Holmes et al. identify and distinguish outcome metrics as fundamental, recommended, supplemental, exploratory, or not recommended in preclinical SCI research.
• 2
  Tate et al. provide recommendations for the use of 15 clinical assessments for evaluating neurogenic bladder dysfunction in persons with SCI.
• 3
  Three self-report instruments (Qualiveen 30, Short-Form Qualiveen, and Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction Score) are recommended as supplemental measures in clinical trials.