Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Feb 2008
Chronic pain in persons with myotonic dystrophy and facioscapulohumeral dystrophy.
To determine the nature and scope of pain in working-aged adults with myotonic muscular dystrophy (MMD) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). ⋯ The findings indicate that pain is a more common problem in persons with FSHD than in persons with MMD, although it is common in both populations. In addition, these pain problems are chronic, underscoring the need to identify and provide effective pain treatments for patients with these neuromuscular diseases.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 2008
"To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan" (Abraham Lincoln): the Department of Veterans Affairs polytrauma system of care.
The initiation of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan has resulted in a new cohort of active-duty service members and veterans seeking rehabilitation care through the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). ⋯ The PSC is comprised of: 4 specialized regional rehabilitation centers that are accredited in brain injury by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities; 21 specialized outpatient and subacute rehabilitation programs; designated polytrauma teams at smaller, more remote VA facilities; and a point of contact at all other VA facilities. In addition, the PSC has developed a proactive case-management model, a specialized telehealth network, guidelines for long-term follow-up, and services for those individuals who are unable to return home. The following commentary and articles provide additional detail on this new and unique system of care.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialTherapeutic use of botulinum toxin type A in treating neck and upper-back pain of myofascial origin: a pilot study.
To determine the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in treating neck and upper-back pain of myofascial origin. ⋯ Trends toward improvements in VAS and NDI scores of the BTX-A group are encouraging, but they were possibly due to a placebo effect and were not statistically significant. The BTX-A subjects, at certain time points, showed statistically significant improvements in the bodily pain and mental health scales of the SF-36 compared with controls. Our study had limited power and population base, but the results could be used to properly power follow-up studies to further investigate this topic.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 2008
Multicenter StudyProvider perspectives on rehabilitation of patients with polytrauma.
To describe, from the perspective of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) polytrauma rehabilitation providers, (1) patients with combat-related polytrauma and their rehabilitation, (2) polytrauma patient family member involvement in rehabilitation, and (3) the impact on providers of providing polytrauma rehabilitation. ⋯ The VA should prioritize the identification or development and implementation of strategies to address family member needs and to monitor and ensure that PRC providers have access to appropriate resources. Future research should determine whether findings generalize to patients injured in other wars and to people who sustain polytraumatic injuries outside of a war zone, including victims of terrorist attacks.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 2008
Multicenter StudyCharacteristics and rehabilitation outcomes among patients with blast and other injuries sustained during the Global War on Terror.
To describe characteristics and rehabilitation outcomes among patients who received inpatient rehabilitation for blast and other injuries sustained in Iraq and Afghanistan during the Global War on Terror. ⋯ Blasts produce a unique constellation of injuries but do not make a unique contribution to functional gain scores. Findings underscore the need for assessment and treatment of pain and mental health problems among patients with polytrauma and blast-related injuries. Patients with polytrauma have lifelong needs, and future research should examine needs over time after community re-entry.