Conclusions: Rehospitalization rates among individuals withSCI in the first post-injury year remains high for conditions that arelargely preventable. Being female, lower educational attainment,and a more severe case-mix were associated with increased odds orrehospitalization. Center-to-center variation in rehospitalizationrates diminishes after case-mix is considered.

A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Efficacy ofBody Weight Support Overground AmbulationVersus Body Weight Support Treadmill TrainingAmong Post-stroke Patients of a Tertiary Hospital.Sherwin W. Gan, MD (Veterans Memorial Medical Cen-ter, Quezon City, Philippines); Alfredo C. Azarcon, MD;Ma Jullita J. Cadiao, MD; Ma. Antonette M. Gabua,MD; Rafaelita S. Javier, MD; Edwin M. Orayle, MD;Edgardo D. Uyehara, MD.

Disclosures: S. W. Gan, No Disclosures.Objective: To establish the efficacy of body weight support over-ground ambulation over body weight support treadmill training inthe recovery of post-stroke patients.Design: Randomized, single-blinded controlled trial.Setting: Physical therapy gym of the department of rehabilitationmedicine.Participants: Of 205 stroke subjects, 102 were assigned ran-domly to the body weight support overground (BWS-O) ambula-tion training group, and 103 were assigned to the body weightsupport treadmill (BWS-T) training group.Interventions: Subjects were randomly assigned either to BWS-Oor BWS-T group. Participants in the study were gait trained using abody weight support (BWS) overhead harness system provided withup to 40% of their body weight supported at the beginning of thetraining. Treadmill speed in the BWS-T group was initially startedwith 0.5 mph. Progression was accomplished by decreasing per-centage of body weight support or increasing treadmill speed basedon gait pattern and endurance.Main Outcome Measures: Study outcome measures includedbalance using the BERG Balance Scale, cadence and 10-meter walk-ing speed.Results: After an 8 week study period, both BWS-O and BWS-Tgroups showed an improvement in terms of the BERG Balance Scale,cadence and 10-meter walking speed. However, the BWS-O groupwas noted to have a statistical improvement in terms of the BERGBalance Scale and cadence on the 4th week up to 8th week follow upas compared to BWS-T. In terms of 10-meter walking speed, theBWS-O group showed an insignificant difference with BWS-Tgroup on the 8th week follow up.Conclusions: The use of body weight support overground am-bulation training produced a better outcome in post-stroke patientsin terms of balance, cadence and 10-meter walking speed. Thistechnique is promising in that it can be recommended as part ofrehabilitation management program of post-stroke patients.

Driving and Post-Concussion Changes inNeuropsychological Performance.Maria T. Schultheis, PhD (Drexel University, Philadelphia,PA, United States); Jocelyn Ang, BS; Taylor Blake, BS;Sandella J. Bradley, DO; Gene Hong, MD CAQSMFAAFP; Danielle Martin, BA; Jocelyn C. Ricasa, MD;Preeti Sunderaraman, BA.

Disclosures: M. T. Schultheis: Research grants, 1R01HD050718-01A2, 1R03HD064847.Objective: Concussion can impact cognitive performance thatcan affect the ability to drive an automobile. Yet studies have notexamined changes in driving following concussion. The currentstudy examines the changes in performance on cognitive tests and indriving at two points: immediately after concussion and after med-ical clearance was given for return-to-play.Design: Prospective design, with referrals from the athletic trainerwere assessed immediately after concussion (mean�3 days), andagain after medical clearance for return to play.Setting: Neuropsychology laboratory.Participants: Participants were college students (N�17; 11 males, 6females) with clinically diagnosed concussion. Mean age 20 years. Allwere active drivers with greater than 2 years driving experience. Meannumber of previously reported concussions was two.Interventions: Not Applicable.Main Outcome Measures: Participants were administered theImmediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (Im-PACT test) and a behind-the-wheel (BTW) driving simulator eval-uation for both sessions. The composite indices of verbal memory,visual memory, reaction time, processing speed and impulse controlfrom ImPACT, and from the driving performance - center lanedeviation and velocity (speed) for simple straight lane and complexcurve lane segments - were examined.Results: Paired-t tests were used to examine difference in perfor-mance from Session 1(S1) to Session 2 (S2). Results (Bonferronicorrected) indicated that participants displayed less deviation (im-provement) in speed management in S2 in the complex curveddriving routes. No differences were seen in center lane management.Cognitively, only the ImPACT visual memory and processing speedindices significantly improved from S1 to S2.Conclusions: Changes in driving performance are correlatedwith changes in cognition. In concussed individuals, over time,there is a measureable improvement in driving performance.

The Tongue Drive System: Testing Novel AssistiveTechnology that Uses Magnetic Signals Derivedfrom Tongue Movements.Elliot J. Roth, MD (Northwestern University, Chicago, IL,United States); Joy Bruce, MSPT, PhD; Maysam Ghovan-loo, PhD; Jaimee S. Holbrook, MD; Xueliang Huo, PhD;Jeonghee Kim, PhD; Anne E. Laumann, MBChB,MRCP(UK), FAAD; Julia Minocha, MD; Beatrice Nar-done, MD, PhD; Deborah Pucci, PT; Diane Rowles, NP;Erica Sutton, MA; Emir Veledar, PhD; Dennis P. West, PhD.

Disclosures: E. J. Roth, No Disclosures.Objective: This study tested the Tongue Drive System (TDS), anovel, wearable, wireless, and useful technology for people withsevere impairments. TDS uses a magnet attached to the tongue,using piercing to ensure long-term stable and reliable magnet loca-tions. Magnet position, and therefore tongue location, is detected bysensors in a user-worn headset. Signals generated by these positionsare sent wirelessly to a computer, smart-phone, or power wheel-chair. The user “teaches” TDS to associate specific tongue positionswith user-defined commands to operate devices.Design: After consent, 11 persons with limited upper limb andhand function were tested by fixing the magnet to the tongue withadhesive to enable them to learn to use TDS. Each participant then

S182 PRESENTATIONS