Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Nov 2009
The relationship of self-reported pain and functional impairment to gait mechanics in overweight and obese persons with knee osteoarthritis.
To examine the degree to which 2 commonly used measures of pain and disability, the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), relate to objective gait measurements. ⋯ Taken together, the results suggest that the AIMS physical disability and WOMAC function scores are associated with some important measures of gait impairment.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Nov 2009
Novel applications of ultrasound technology to visualize and characterize myofascial trigger points and surrounding soft tissue.
To apply ultrasound (US) imaging techniques to better describe the characteristics of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) and the immediately adjacent soft tissue. ⋯ Preliminary findings show that, under the conditions of this investigation, US imaging techniques can be used to distinguish myofascial tissue containing MTrPs from normal myofascial tissue (lacking trigger points). US enables visualization and some characterization of MTrPs and adjacent soft tissue.
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Rehabilitation is supported by research evidence that is limited in both number and quality. In order for more and better evidence to be published, researchers need to improve their reports of randomized controlled trials and other interventional research. Making it likely that these reports can contribute to the cumulation of scientific knowledge through their inclusion in systematic reviews imposes some special requirements. This article discusses the following steps that investigators should follow: trial registration; reliance on Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials guidelines in protocol development and report writing; use of recommendations by authoritative groups for the use of specific measures or data sets; adherence in writing to the style and other guidelines offered by the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, and the target journal's instructions for authors; clear declarations of deviations from commonly accepted study methods; and use of informal peer review.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Nov 2009
Relationships of fear, anxiety, and depression with physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
To explore whether the psychologic variables anxiety, depression, and fear-avoidance beliefs, and interactions between these variables, are associated with physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). We hypothesized lower levels of function would be related to higher anxiety, higher depression, and higher fear-avoidance beliefs, and that high levels of 2 of these factors simultaneously might interact to have a greater adverse effect on physical function. ⋯ Anxiety and fear-avoidance beliefs are associated with self-report measures of function in patients with knee OA. Depression may influence scores on the LEFS under conditions of low anxiety.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2009
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyRacial differences in employment outcome after traumatic brain injury at 1, 2, and 5 years postinjury.
Gary KW, Arango-Lasprilla JC, Ketchum JM, Kreutzer JS, Copolillo A, Novack TA, Jha A. Racial differences in employment outcome after traumatic brain injury at 1, 2, and 5 years postinjury. ⋯ Short- and long-term employment is not favorable for people with TBI regardless of race; however, blacks fare worse in employment outcomes compared with whites. Rehabilitation professionals should work to improve return to work for all persons with TBI, with special emphasis on addressing specific needs of blacks.