Content - Volume 49, Issue 9

Objective: Subarachnoid haemorrhage can lead to long-term disabilities. It is a major health issue for the patient and can affect work capacity. The aim of this study was to investigate working capacity after subarachnoid haemorrhage from a long-term perspective, using data from national sick leave records. In addition, factors associated with working capacity were analysed. Design: A retrospect ...

Objective: To systematically review and critically appraise the literature on measurement properties of cardiopulmonary exercise test protocols for measuring aerobic capacity, VO2max, in persons after stroke. Data sources: PubMed, Embase and Cinahl were searched from inception up to 15 June 2016. A total of 9 studies were identified reporting on 9 different cardiopulmonary exercise test protocol ...

Introduction: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is a possible adjunctive therapy to pharmacological treatment for controlling pain after total knee arthroplasty. However, the results are controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to explore the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on patients with total knee arthroplasty. Methods: PubMed, Embase ...

Objectives: To investigate: (i) the intra-rater, inter-rater and test-retest reliabilities of completion times and step counts on the Standardized Walking Obstacle Course test (SWOC); (ii) correlations between SWOC scores and stroke-specific impairments; (iii) the cut-off SWOC completion times and step counts for distinguishing differences in obstacle negotiation ability in people with chronic str ...

Objective: To determine whether early mobilization of patients with severe acquired brain injury, performed in the intensive/neurointensive care unit, influences functional outcome. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: Fourteen centres in Italy. Subjects: A total of 103 consecutive patients with acquired brain injury. Methods: Clinical, neurological and functional data, includ ...

Objective: To investigate the measurement properties of the Timed Up and Go Assessment of Biomechanical Strategies (TUG-ABS) to determine its adequacy for use with individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Subjects: Fifty individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Design: Diagnostic accuracy. Methods: The study investigated the following properties: reliability (inter-examiner, intra-examiner, te ...

Objective: To compare walking dynamics and test-retest reliability for 2 frequently applied walk tests in polio survivors: the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) to walk as far as possible; and the 6-minute walking energy cost test (WECT) at comfortable speed. Design: Observational study. Participants: Thirty-three polio survivors, able to walk ≥ 150 m. Methods: On the same day participan ...

Objective: Subarachnoid haemorrhage can lead to long-term disabilities. It is a major health issue for the patient and can affect work capacity. The aim of this study was to investigate working capacity after subarachnoid haemorrhage from a long-term perspective, using data from national sick leave records. In addition, factors associated with working capacity were analysed. Design: A retrospect ...

Objectives: Resistance exercise results in health benefits in fibromyalgia. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that mediate change in muscle strength in women with fibromyalgia as a result of resistance exercise. Methods: Sixty-seven women with fibromyalgia (age range 25–64 years) were included. Tests of muscle strength and questionnaires related to pain, fear avoidance and p ...

Objective: To study the effectiveness of a 12-month exercise therapy on kinesiophobia and physical activity in patients with spondylolisthesis after lumbar spine fusion. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Subjects: Patients (n = 98) with spondylolisthesis who had undergone lumbar spine fusion. Methods: All patients (mean age 59 years) had received lumbar spine fusion surgery an ...

Objective: To determine the frequency of venous thromboembolism, possible predictors, and the association between venous thromboembolism and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores and length of stay among cancer patients admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation unit at a cancer centre. Design: Retrospective analysis of patients admitted to acute inpatient rehabilitation from September 2011 ...

Objective: To determine the cut-off values for knee extensor strength on the paretic and non-paretic sides and both sides combined for identifying independence in gait in chronic stroke survivors. Design: Cross-sectional study. Patients: Sixty chronic stroke survivors. Methods: Functional Independence Measure (FIM) gait scores were measured, and the participants were allocated to the indepen ...