European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Oct 2013
Upper limb function and quality of life in breast cancer related lymphedema: a cross-sectional study.
One of the most frequent impairments in breast cancer survivors is secondary lymphedema of the upper limbs. Several impairments and activity limitations frequently occur in these patients leading to participation restrictions and influencing Quality of Life. ⋯ Lymphedema has to be early diagnosed and treated with an adequate rehabilitative plan to prevent activity limitations and participation restrictions.
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Oct 2013
Alpha lipoic acid and superoxide dismutase in the treatment of chronic low back pain.
Neuropathic mechanisms largely contribute to low back pain (LBP) and oxidative stress is acknowledged as one of the causes of nerve damage typical of neuropathic pain: antioxidant agents may be a useful choice in the multimodal treatment strategy for chronic LBP patients. ⋯ Oral combination of ALA and SOD may be a powerful adjuvant in multimodal therapy of chronic LBP patients.
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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.
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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.
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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.