Content - Volume 37, Issue 4

Clinimetrics in rehabilitation medicine, i. e. the field of developing, evaluating and applying measurement instruments, has undergone considerable progress. Despite this progress, however, several issues remain. These include: (i) selection of an instrument out of the wide range available; (ii) using an instrument in a variety of diagnostic groups; (iii) using an instrument in individual patients ...

Objective: Assessment of the available evidence regarding the effect of augmented feedback on motor function of the upper extremity in rehabilitation patients. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of augmented feedback on motor function. Two reviewers systematically assessed the methodological quality of the trials ...

Objective: Outcome research seeks to understand the end results of health services. Researchers use a wide variety of outcome measures including technical, clinical and patient-oriented measures. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a common reference framework for functioning may contribute to improved outcome research. The objective of this paper is to ...

Objective: The smooth pursuit neck torsion test is thought to be a measure of neck afferent influence on eye movement control and is useful in assessing subjects with whiplash, especially those complaining of dizziness. Nevertheless, it is not known whether impairments identified relate only to abnormal cervical afferentation or are influenced by levels of anxiety or neck pain. Design: A prospecti ...

Objective: Dizziness and unsteadiness, associated with altered balance, are frequent complaints in subjects suffering persistent whiplash associated disorders. Research has been inconclusive with respect to possible aetiology. This study assessed balance responses in subjects with whiplash associated disorders, taking into account several possible causes. Design: A prospective, 3 group, observatio ...

Objective: Goal setting and motivational factors are strongly associated with maintaining a job and return to work after sick leave, but research into the effects of interventions targeting these factors is limited. We conducted a randomized controlled study to examine the vocational effect of intervention focusing on motivation, goal setting and planning for return to work. Design and methods: Of ...

Objective: To investigate the support given to young children of patients with stroke by rehabilitation teams and to identify characteristics of the patients, spouses and children that relate to children's adjustment 2 months after the patient's discharge. Subjects and methods: Seventy-seven children (≤18 years of age) of patients with stroke consecutively admitted to inpatient rehabilitation we ...

Objective: Verify weight-bearing on the feet in a sitting position during pointing in different directions with 1 or both upper limbs. Design: Comparative study. Subjects: Fifteen subjects with post-stroke hemiparesis with good to very good motor recovery and 13 healthy subjects participated in the study. Methods: The subjects were seated on a chair with each foot resting on a force plate. They ha ...

Objective: To identify a most useful and simple clinical screening tool to predict videofluoroscopic aspiration in patients with stroke. Design: Factor analysis of multiple dysphagia variables and sensitivity and specificity testing with chi-square test. Patients: Sixty-one consecutive stroke patients with symptoms suggestive of dysphagia admitted to a university hospital and its 4 affiliated hosp ...

Objective: Treatment strategies for post-stroke spasticity include oral anti-spastic drugs, surgery, physiotherapy and botulinum toxin type A injection. The objective of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness and outcomes of oral therapy vs. botulinum toxin type A treatment strategies in patients with flexed wrist/clenched fist spasticity. Methods: Treatment outcome and resource use data ...

Objective: While life expectancy is improving for persons with spinal muscular atrophy, new physical complaints may arise. To investigate this, we studied persons with a long duration and severe course (high functional limitations) of the disease. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Subjects/Patients: Persons with spinal muscular atrophy. Methods: Questionnaires and structured interviews on ...

Objectives: To compare the short-term effectiveness of 1 intensive training period in child and youth rehabilitation with Move&Walk conductive education and describe the effects of 1 intensive training period in terms of changes at 1 year. The amount and influence of additional consumption of training during the 1-year follow-up was also analysed. Design: Quasi-experimental with 2 groups: Lemo ...