European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Jun 2011
Review Meta AnalysisNon-invasive brain stimulation techniques for chronic pain. A report of a Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis.
Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques aim to induce an electrical stimulation of the brain in an attempt to reduce chronic pain by directly altering brain activity. They include repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). ⋯ Single doses of high-frequency rTMS of the motor cortex may have small short-term effects on chronic pain. The effects do not clearly exceed the predetermined threshold of minimal clinical significance. Low-frequency rTMS is not effective in the treatment of chronic pain. There is insufficient evidence from which to draw firm conclusions regarding the efficacy of CES or tDCS. The available evidence suggests that tDCS applied to the motor cortex may have short-term effects on chronic pain and that CES may be ineffective. There is a need for further, rigorously designed studies of all types of stimulation.
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Jun 2011
ReviewPhysical exercise after hip fracture: an evidence overview.
Improving strategies for hip fracture rehabilitation among older people is an urgent public health challenge due to the increasing proportion of older people in the global population and therefore the increasing numbers of falls and fractures. Most older people who suffer a hip fracture experience a permanent decrease in physical functioning. It is now clear in the general older population that muscle strength and balance can be improved and falls can be prevented by well-designed exercise programs. ⋯ The lack of well-designed large-scale trials of exercise after hip fracture means that current guidelines do not include detailed recommendations about exercise after hip fracture. The Cochrane reviews covering this field also do not draw firm conclusions. However, several individual trials have had promising findings and indicate some benefits of exercise after hip fracture.
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Jun 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialKinesio Taping applied to lumbar muscles influences clinical and electromyographic characteristics in chronic low back pain patients.
Kinesio Taping (KT) has proved to be effective in various musculoskeletal conditions. Although its precise working mechanism has yet to be fully understood, it is believed to interact with neuromuscular function through mechanoceptor activation. No studies designed to assess the effects of KT in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients have yet been conducted. ⋯ KT may represent an effective adjunct therapy in the physical rehabilitation program of CLBP patients for immediate and acute pain control.
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Jun 2011
Use of early indicators in rehabilitation process to predict functional outcomes in subjects with acquired brain injury.
The use of Evaluation Scales in ABI is necessary for measure of outcome, but not always they are used as predictor factors for rehabilitation processes and organization. ⋯ There was a statistically significant recovery over the course of admission for all assessment tools (P<0.000). When patients were subdivided on the basis of admission DRS categories a linear correlation among variables could be observed, with most disabled patients showing the longest acute and rehabilitation stays and the lowest functional gains. Within each DRS category age appeared to affect improvement (P<0.005) while final outcome was influenced not only by age but also by initial functional status (P<0.000) and time from injury to admission (P<0.004). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Systematic data collection in intensive rehabilitation is of great importance to monitor recovery and plan appropriate programs on the basis of admission functional status.
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Little is known about coccydynia in adolescents. ⋯ Our results should help clinicians manage this rare and debilitating condition.