Content - Volume 40, Issue 1

Objective: To report the results from a prospective, cognitive-behavioural team-based, individually geared, low-­intensity, rehabilitation programme, randomly assigned to care-seekers in primary care physiotherapy with new pain-related sick leave, and to examine a possible reduction in social security expenditure. Methods: A total of 194 care-seekers were included in a stepwise procedure from N ...

Objective: To examine the reliability and validity of the physical activity decline (PAD) score: a measure for assessing a decline in the level of physical activity in patients with chronic pain. Design: This study was embedded in a prognostic cohort study based on an inception cohort of patients with sub-acute low back pain. Patients: Sixty-two patients who developed chronic pain participated ...

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the economic consequences of an 8-week multiprofessional rehabilitation programme for patients with persistent pain. Subjects: A group of 67 patients following the programme and a comparison group of 322 patients. Methods: The effect on return to work was estimated using 3 different methods: (i) a matched sample approach; (ii) regression analysi ...

Objective: To explore the strength of the association between gait speed and community ambulation and whether this association is significantly distorted by other variables. Design: Cross-sectional study conducted 3 years after stroke. Subjects: A total of 102 patients after first-ever stroke following inpatient rehabilitation who are now living in the community. Methods: Community ambulatio ...

Objective: This study aimed: (i) to determine the level of agreement between responses of people with stroke and their proxies on a participation questionnaire, and (ii) to explore patient and proxy characteristics related to disagreement between their responses. Design: Cross-sectional study. Subjects: A total of 40 community-dwelling people with stroke and their proxies (total n = 80). Met ...

Objective: To measure the impact of botulinum toxin A on associated reactions in patients following stroke. Design: Randomized placebo-controlled trial. Patients: Forty patients with spasticity in their paretic arm (median time since stroke: 2. 7 years) were randomized to botulinum toxin A (Dysport® 1000 mouse units (MU) divi­ded between elbow, wrist and finger flexors) or placebo. M ...

Objective: To evaluate the effects of progressive resistance training on muscle strength, muscle tone, gait performance and perceived participation after stroke. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Subjects: Twenty-four subjects (mean age 61 years (standard deviation 5)) 6–48 months post-stroke. Methods: The training group (n = 15) participated in super­vised progressive ...

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation synchronized with maximal effort to make a target movement in patients with chronic hemiplegia involving the hand. Design: Non-randomized double-blinded controlled trial. Subjects: Nine chronic patients with hemiplegia who were unable to fully extend the affected fingers following stroke. Method ...

Objective: To compare changes on biopsychosocial variables between adults (< 65 years) and older adults (≥ 65 years) during and after an inpatient rehabilitation program. Design: Comparative study. Participants: A total of 165 people 18 years and over admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit. Methods: The participants were evaluated 3 times: at admission and disch ...

Objective: To describe sexual life in women with spinal cord injury. Design: Controlled cross-sectional, questionnaire. Participants and methods: Women, 18–65 years, treated at spinal cord centres in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland. 545 women (57%) completed the questionnaires. The age-matched control group consisted of 507 women. The 104-item Spinal Cord Injury Women Quest ...

Objective: Comprehensively and objectively assess physical activity, aerobic fitness and body fat in adolescents and young adults with myelomeningocele and to investigate their relationships. Design: Cross-sectional study. Subjects: Fifty-one persons (26 males) with myelomeningo­cele aged 21. 1 (standard deviation) 4. 5) years. Methods: Physical activity was measured with an accelero­metry ...