Content - Volume 48, Issue 7

Objective: To use a combination of electrophysiological techniques to determine the extent of preserved muscle activity below the clinically-defined level of motor-complete spinal cord injury. Methods: Transcranial magnetic stimulation and vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials were used to investigate whether there was any preserved muscle activity in trunk, hip and leg muscles of 16 individuals ...

Objective: To evaluate the evidence regarding transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and to assess its impact on spasticity after stroke. Data sources: The following databases were searched up to 6 January 2016: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Cochrane Library, latest issue), MEDLINE (from 1948), EMBASE (from 1980), CINAHL (from 1982), AMED (from 1985), Science ...

Objective: Surgical restoration of upper extremity function in tetraplegia is acknowledged as beneficial, yet in many countries it is underused or absent. This study describes a 10-year review of a project to implement a tetraplegia upper extremity surgery service in Hungary. The main aims were to increase awareness among patients, the medical community and the public about the benefits of this re ...

Objective: To determine if the level of effort in paretic plantar flexors during gait could be a factor in explaining locomotor asymmetry. Design: Cross-sectional study. Subjects: Twenty individuals with chronic stroke (mean age 49. 4 years (standard deviation 13. 2). Methods: Participants walked on a split-belt treadmill for 3 periods: baseline at self-selected speed; adaptation with the be ...

Objective: In order to unravel the working mechanisms that underlie the effectiveness of a behavioural intervention promoting physical activity in persons with subacute spinal cord injury, the aim of this study was to assess the mediating effects of physical and psychosocial factors on the intervention effect on physical activity. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Four rehabilitati ...

Objective: To use a combination of electrophysiological techniques to determine the extent of preserved muscle activity below the clinically-defined level of motor-complete spinal cord injury. Methods: Transcranial magnetic stimulation and vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials were used to investigate whether there was any preserved muscle activity in trunk, hip and leg muscles of 16 individuals ...

Objective: To perform a psychometric analysis of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) using Rasch analysis in a sample of Italian subjects with multiple sclerosis. Methods: The 9-item FSS was administered to 156 Italian-speaking subjects with multiple sclerosis. Responses were assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, item-remainder correlations, factor analysis and Rasch analysis. Results: The FSS showe ...

Objective: Early degeneration of the knees might occur in patients with multiple sclerosis secondary to balance and walking impairment and muscle weakness. The aims of this study were to evaluate the knee joints of patients with multiple sclerosis compared with healthy controls, using ultrasono-graphy, and to investigate whether there is any correlation between femoral cartilage degeneration and d ...

Objective: Irrespective of treatment history, shoulder dysfunction may occur in children with neonatal brachial plexus palsy. Following internal contracture release and/or muscle tendon transfer (ICR/MTT) shoulder function gain is possible. This study describes the outcomes of ICR/MTT for children with neonatal brachial plexus palsy, with or without prior nerve surgery (a group with prior nerve su ...

Objective: To link the items in the Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs): Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, Short Form 36 (SF-36) and pain scores, to the Brief International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set for low back pain, and to examine the extent to which a clinician’s assessment of patients’ problems according to the Brief ICF Core Set correl ...

Objective: To compare rates of mortality, hospital readmissions and independent living status for 2 years following hip fracture in community-dwelling patients with and without hospital-based rehabilitation. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Administrative data-sets were linked for hospital treatment, residential aged care admissions, selected community services and date of death fo ...

Objective: To examine the impact of weight status on physical and psychological outcomes of patients enrolled in a comprehensive pain rehabilitation programme. Methods: Participants (n = 314; mean body mass index 30. 34) were administered measures of pain perception, depression, and physical functioning. Analyses included (Group: healthy weight, overweight, obese) × 2 (Time: a ...

Objective: Injury to the foot and ankle without involvement of the knee, requiring a patient to become non-weight-bearing or even needing amputation, is a common problem resulting from diverse causes, including diabetic foot ulcers and trauma. The patellar tendon bearing orthosis may be a good option for patients who would functionally deteriorate, attempting to live their lives without the use of ...

Paraneoplastic stiff person syndrome is a rare, but debilitating, manifestation of cancer, characterized by painful extremities, truncal and facial spasms. The resultant functional impairment may necessitate comprehensive rehabilitation and symptom management. This case series describes the acute inpatient rehabilitation courses of 2 patients at different tertiary care referral cancer rehabilitati ...