Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 2008
The impact of limitations in physical, executive, and emotional function on health-related quality of life among adult survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.
To examine associations between limitations in physical performance, executive function, and emotional health (activity domains) and either social role attainment or health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adult survivors of childhood cancer. ⋯ The results of these analyses show the need for development and testing of interventions to remediate limitations in activity domains, because they negatively impact role attainment and HRQOL.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 2008
Comparative StudyBiochemicals associated with pain and inflammation are elevated in sites near to and remote from active myofascial trigger points.
To investigate the biochemical milieu of the upper trapezius muscle in subjects with active, latent, or absent myofascial trigger points (MTPs) and to contrast this with that of the noninvolved gastrocnemius muscle. ⋯ We have shown the feasibility of continuous, in vivo recovery of small molecules from soft tissue without harmful effects. Subjects with active MTPs in the trapezius muscle have a biochemical milieu of selected inflammatory mediators, neuropeptides, cytokines, and catecholamines different from subjects with latent or absent MTPs in their trapezius. These concentrations also differ quantitatively from a remote, uninvolved site in the gastrocnemius muscle. The milieu of the gastrocnemius in subjects with active MTPs in the trapezius differs from subjects without active MTPs.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 2008
Psychometric properties of the Neck Disability Index and Numeric Pain Rating Scale in patients with mechanical neck pain.
To examine the psychometric properties including test-retest reliability, construct validity, and minimum levels of detectable and clinically important change for the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain in a cohort of patients with neck pain. ⋯ Both the NDI and NRS exhibit fair to moderate test-retest reliability in patients with mechanical neck pain. Both instruments also showed adequate responsiveness in this patient population. However, the MCID required to be certain that the change in scores has surpassed a level that could be contributed to measurement error for the NDI was twice that which has previously been reported. Therefore the ongoing analyses of the properties of the NDI in a patient population with neck pain are warranted.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 2008
Ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of the trapeziometacarpal joint: description of technique.
To describe a new technique to perform an ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of the trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint. ⋯ Ultrasound may be used to accurately perform intra-articular TMC injections. Ultrasound provides a viable alternative to fluoroscopy when accurate injection into the TMC joint is required for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Dec 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialFactors influencing the efficacy of virtual reality distraction analgesia during postburn physical therapy: preliminary results from 3 ongoing studies.
To assess the efficacy and side effects of immersive virtual reality (VR) distraction analgesia, as well as patient factors associated with VR analgesic efficacy in burn patients who require passive range-of-motion (ROM) physical therapy (PT). ⋯ When added to standard analgesic therapy, VR distraction provides a clinically meaningful degree of pain relief to burn patients undergoing passive ROM PT. Multiple patient factors do not appear to affect the analgesic effect. Immersive VR distraction is a safe and effective nonpharmacologic technique with which to provide adjunctive analgesia to facilitate patient participation in rehabilitation activities.