European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine
-
Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Aug 2013
ReviewGeneralised and regional soft tissue pain syndromes. The role of physical and rehabilitation medicine physicians. The European perspective based on the best evidence. A paper by the UEMS-PRM Section Professional Practice Committee.
One of the objectives of the Professional Practice Committee (PPC) of the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) Section of the Union of European Medical Specialists (UEMS) is the development of the field of competence of PRM physicians in Europe. To achieve this objective, UEMS PRM Section PPC has adopted a systematic action plan of preparing a series of papers describing the role of PRM physicians in a number of disabling health conditions, based on the evidence of effectiveness of PRM interventions. Generalised and regional soft tissue pain syndromes constitute a major problem leading to loss of function and disability, resulting in enormous societal burden. ⋯ Interventional techniques such as blocks and spinal cord stimulation may also be considered for CRPS based on varying levels of evidence. PRM physicians' functioning oriented approaches on the assessment and management, adopting the ICF as a reference, may well meet the needs of patients with soft tissue pain syndromes, the common problems for whom are loss of function and impaired quality of life. Available evidence for the effectiveness of PRM interventions serves as the basis for the explicit role of PRM specialists in the management of these health conditions.
-
Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Aug 2013
ReviewSystematic reviews of physical and rehabilitation medicine Cochrane contents. Part 1. Disabilities due to spinal disorders and pain syndromes in adults.
This article is the first in a series presenting the strongest published evidence for physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) to date coming from the Cochrane Collaboration. The intent of the series is to stimulate ideas for reviews and research in neglected areas of PRM. ⋯ To apply evidence-based clinical practice, clinicians must be familiar with the current best evidence.
-
Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Aug 2013
Safety and efficacy of incobotulinum toxin type A (NT 201-Xeomin) for the treatment of post-stroke lower limb spasticity: a prospective open-label study.
In recent years, NT 201, a new botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) free of complexing proteins, has been used for treating several movement disorders, showing safety and efficacy in upper limb spasticity. ⋯ These results confirmed the safety and effectiveness of a new type of BTX-A, with low immunogenity, useful to improve rehabilitative treatment of post-stroke lower limb spasticity.
-
Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Aug 2013
A long-term pulmonary rehabilitation program progressively improves exercise tolerance, quality of life and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with COPD.
Support and treatment options have been widely discussed in recent decades with the aim of improving morbidity, mortality and quality of life of chronic respiratory disease (COPD) patients. Although it is believed that longer pulmonary rehabilitation programs can provide better results, most of the evidence comes from short-term programs. ⋯ Our study suggests that long-term pulmonary rehabilitation programs can result in further improvements in the aforementioned cardiorespiratory variables.