Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2007
Multicenter StudyCognitive impairment in patients with traumatic brain injury and obstructive sleep apnea.
To examine the impact of comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on the cognitive functioning of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. ⋯ OSA is associated with more impairment of sustained attention and memory in TBI patients. It is possible that early identification and treatment of OSA may improve cognitive, and thus potentially functional, outcomes of TBI patients with this disease.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2007
Multicenter StudyMusculoskeletal disorders in referrals for suspected cervical radiculopathy.
To determine (1) the prevalence of selected common musculoskeletal disorders in patients referred for electrodiagnosis when cervical radiculopathy is suspected and (2) whether these findings predict electrodiagnostic study outcome. ⋯ Musculoskeletal disorders are common in patients with suspected cervical radiculopathy. Although the presence of certain musculoskeletal disorders makes having a normal electrodiagnostic evaluation significantly more likely, the high prevalence among both patients with normal studies and those with radiculopathy and other disorders limits the usefulness of this information in precisely predicting study outcome. The presence of musculoskeletal disorders should not preclude electrodiagnostic testing when otherwise indicated.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialAlternating frequencies of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation: does it produce greater analgesic effects on mechanical and thermal pain thresholds?
To determine whether alternating frequency transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) at 2 and 100Hz (2/100Hz) has a more potent hypoalgesic effect than a fixed frequency at 2 or 100Hz in healthy participants. ⋯ Alternating frequency stimulation produced a greater elevation in the HPT, but a greater increase in the MPT was achieved using 100Hz stimulation.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2007
Predictive validity and responsiveness of the functional ambulation category in hemiparetic patients after stroke.
To determine the reliability, concurrent and predictive validity, and responsiveness of the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) in hemiparetic patients after stroke. ⋯ The FAC has excellent reliability, good concurrent and predictive validity, and good responsiveness in patients with hemiparesis after stroke.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2007
Ultrasound-guided blockade of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve: technical description and review of 10 cases.
Blockade of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) is performed for therapeutic management of meralgia paresthetica and as a regional anesthetic technique. The conventional technique is associated with high failure rates secondary to variable LFCN anatomy. We describe a technique for blockade of the LFCN using ultrasound guidance. ⋯ Use of ultrasound for precise needle placement allowed low injection volumes to be utilized. Theref were no complications. Ultrasound guidance can facilitate blockade of the LFCN for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and may be particularly beneficial with patients with challenging surface anatomic landmarks, or when low volume injections are desired.