Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Mar 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialEpidural steroids for lumbosacral radicular syndrome compared to usual care: quality of life and cost utility in general practice.
To investigate the effect of adding segmental epidural steroid injections (SESIs) to usual care compared with usual care alone on quality of life and cost utility in lumbosacral radicular syndrome (LRS) in general practice. ⋯ Although the beneficial effects of SESIs are small and the natural course of LRS is predominantly favorable, we think decision makers can consider implementing SESIs in daily practice with the purpose of saving resources. Caution must be taken, and further research should be directed at identifying patient subgroups who might benefit from SESIs, with additional focus on (costs of) complications and adverse effects.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Mar 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialImproving motor control in walking: a randomized clinical trial in older adults with subclinical walking difficulty.
To test the proposed mechanism of action of a task-specific motor learning intervention by examining its effect on measures of the motor control of gait. ⋯ Among older adults with subclinical walking difficulty, there is initial evidence that task-oriented motor learning exercise results in gains in the motor control of walking, while standard exercise does not. Task-oriented motor learning exercise is a promising intervention for improving timing and coordination deficits related to mobility difficulties in older adults, and needs to be evaluated in a definitive larger trial.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Feb 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialInfluence of manual lymphatic drainage on health-related quality of life and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency: a randomized controlled trial.
To evaluate the efficacy of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL), symptomatology, and physical status in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). ⋯ Short-term MLD treatment ameliorates CVI severity and related edema, symptoms, and pain HRQOL in patients with CVI.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Feb 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialDifferences in quality of life outcomes among depressed spinal cord injury trial participants.
To assess the role that treatment response plays in a randomized controlled trial of an antidepressant among people with spinal cord injury (SCI) diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) in explaining quality of life (QOL), assessed both globally as life satisfaction and in terms of physical and mental health-related QOL. ⋯ Greater recognition has been given to QOL outcomes as endpoints of clinical trials because these often reflect participants' reported outcomes. Our findings support the association of QOL to the reduction of depression symptoms among trial participants. This association differs depending on how QOL is defined and measured, with stronger relations observed with life satisfaction and mental well-being among those diagnosed with MDD. The lack of association between depression and physical well-being may be explained by participants' subjective interpretation of physical well-being after SCI and their expectations and perceptions of improved physical health-related QOL based on the use of assistive technology. Consistent with our findings, pain is likely to play a role in decreasing physical QOL among those with incomplete injuries. Practicing caution is suggested in using physical well-being as an endpoint in trials among people with SCI.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Feb 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialFunctional electrical stimulation-assisted active cycling--therapeutic effects in patients with hemiparesis from 7 days to 6 months after stroke: a randomized controlled pilot study.
To determine whether functional electrical stimulation (FES)-assisted active cycling is more effective than active cycling without FES concerning walking and balance. Specifically, walking ability was classified as to the amount of personal assistance needed to be able to walk and balance was evaluated for static and dynamic balance tasks. ⋯ FES-assisted active cycling seems to be a promising intervention during rehabilitation in patients with stroke.