Content - Volume 45, Issue 2

Objective: To study the presence of cervical motor dysfunctions in acute whiplash-associated disorders, evaluate their course and assess their predictive value for long-term recovery. Design: Systematic literature review. Methods: PubMed and Web of Science databases were used to select studies of the presence of cervical motor dysfunctions within the acute stage (< 6 weeks) after whiplas ...

Objective: To study the presence of cervical motor dysfunctions in acute whiplash-associated disorders, evaluate their course and assess their predictive value for long-term recovery. Design: Systematic literature review. Methods: PubMed and Web of Science databases were used to select studies of the presence of cervical motor dysfunctions within the acute stage (< 6 weeks) after whiplas ...

Objective: To investigate: (i) the intra-rater, inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the 12-step stair test; (ii) its correlation with other stroke-specific impairments; and (iii) the cut-off scores that best discriminate patients with stroke from healthy elderly subjects. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University-based rehabilitation centre. Subjects: Thirty-five subjects wit ...

Objective: To identify patient factors that influence the amount, frequency and intensity of physical and occupational therapy received by patients each weekday within 14 days of stroke. Design: Exploration of data from studies conducted to monitor activity and therapy. Participants: Stroke patients receiving active treatment (not for palliative care). Physiotherapists and occupational therapi ...

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of combined therapy using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with robot-assisted arm training (AT) for impairment of the upper limb in chronic stroke patients, and to clarify whether differences exist in the effect of anodal tDCS on the affected hemisphere (tDCS(a) + AT) and cathodal tDCS on the unaffected hemi ...

Objectives: To describe the bowel programmes utilized by individuals with spinal cord injury; and to determine the association between the outcome of the bowel programmes and various interventions to facilitate defecation. Study design: A cross-sectional study. Participants: Individuals with spinal cord injury who have neurogenic bowel dysfunction. Methods: Face-to-face interviews were condu ...

Objective: To assess femoral cartilage thickness in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Subjects: Forty-six patients with SCI (35 men, 11 women; mean age: 33. 6 years (standard deviation 8. 1) and 46 age-, sex- and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy subjects were enrolled. Methods: Patients were evaluated with the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale, Modified Ashwor ...

Objective: Asymmetrical skull deformity is frequently seen in children with cerebral palsy, and may contribute to postural abnormalities and deformities. The aim of this cross-sectional- survey was to determine the frequency of asymmetrical skull deformity and its correlation with clinical parameters. Methods: A 10-item checklist for asymmetrical skull deformity, postural abnormalities, and defo ...

Objective: Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for correction of dropped foot has been shown to increase mobility, reduce the incidence of falls and to improve quality of life. This study aimed to determine how long the intervention is of benefit, and the total cost of its provision. Design: Retrospective review of medical records. Participants: One hundred and twenty-six people with spast ...

Objective: Post-polio syndrome is a neurological disorder occurring several years after an acute polio infection. The main symptoms are increased muscular weakness and atrophy, fatigue and pain. Pain is present more often in younger individuals and in females and, according to the visual analogue scale (VAS), the intensity of pain is relatively high. The aim of the present study was to analyse the ...

Objective: To explore whether low aerobic capacity and physical activity are associated with fatigue, when controlling for age, gender, pain and depressive symptoms in persons with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: In 60 individuals fatigue (Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scale; MAF), disease activity (Disease Activity Score-28; DAS 28), pain, physical and psychological status (Arthritis Im ...

Objective: To explore possible predictors associated with short-term (post-treatment) and long-term (2 years) treatment success in terms of pain-related disability for patients with persistent neck pain following a pain and stress self-management intervention (PASS). Methods: Data from 77 participants assigned to PASS in a randomized controlled trial were explored to identify possible predictors ...

Objective: To identify potential subgroups amongst patients with non-specific low back pain based on a consensus list of potentially discriminatory examination items. Design: Exploratory study. Participants: A convenience sample of 106 patients with non-specific low back pain (43 males, 63 females, mean age 36 years, standard deviation 15. 9 years) and 7 physiotherapists. Methods: Based on 3 ...

Objective: To assess the associations between psychological factors and return to work among long-term sickness absentees. Design: Longitudinal study with a 3-year follow-up. Subjects: Long-term sickness absentees (n = 905) who had undergone a multidisciplinary medical assessment. Methods: Three years after multidisciplinary medical assessment, return to work status (full, partia ...

Objective: To determine the association of postural control with muscle strength, proprioception, self-reported knee instability and activity limitations in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: A total of 284 patients with knee osteoarthritis from the Amsterdam Osteoarthritis cohort were included. Postural control was assessed using the One-Leg Stand Test (OLST), in which the patients wer ...

Objective: Obese patients require sustained lifestyle changes to reduce their health risks. We therefore developed a combined planning and telephone aftercare intervention based on the Health Action Process Approach to enhance physical activity after inpatient rehabilitation for obesity. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Patients: A total of 467 obesity rehabilitation patients (55% male; me ...

Objective: To investigate: the accuracy of measuring relative left/right weight-bearing using two identically calibrated weighing scales; the short-term weight-bearing tendencies in a general population of 9 participants and long-term in 42 females; the effect weight-bearing inequalities on hip bone mineral density and leg lean tissue mass. Method: Participants were measured standing astride two ...

Objective: To explore the experiences of older people and their supporting family members in relation to home rehabilitation, with a focus on activity and participation. Methods: Qualitative interviews were carried out with 6 older people and 6 family members at 1 and 6 months after the older person’s discharge to their home. Qualitative content analysis of the data was carried out. The Intern ...

Objective: This pilot study investigates the use of telerehabilitation to improve upper limb performance in chronic stages of stroke recovery. Design: Intervention study with pre/post/one month follow-up tests. Methods: Seven adults with chronic stroke participated in the study. Tests consisted of lab-based clinical and kinematic assessments. Participants completed the Upper Limb Training and ...

Abstract is missing (Letter)

Abstract is missing (Letter)