Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jun 2005
Multicenter StudyChronic pain in persons with neuromuscular disease.
To examine the nature and scope of pain in persons with neuromuscular disorder (NMD). ⋯ Pain is a common problem among patients with NMDs. There are many similarities, but also some important differences, between NMD diagnostic groups on the nature and scope of pain and its impact. More research is needed to identify and test effective treatments for NMD-related pain.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jun 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe effect of real and sham acupuncture on thermal sensation and thermal pain thresholds.
To compare the effect of real and sham acupuncture and a control intervention on thermal sensation and thermal pain thresholds. ⋯ Although we observed a trend toward a decreased sensitivity to thermal pain and thermal sensation with real acupuncture, this trend did not differ significantly from the changes with control or sham interventions. Therefore, no support was provided for analgesic or placebo effects of acupuncture. The trend, combined with the relatively low power of the inferential tests applied does, however, suggest that further research is merited.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jun 2005
Clinical TrialCombined intercostal and diaphragm pacing to provide artificial ventilation in patients with tetraplegia.
To evaluate the usefulness of combined intercostal and diaphragm pacing to maintain independence from mechanical ventilation. ⋯ Combined intercostal and unilateral diaphragm pacing may be a useful therapeutic modality capable of maintaining long-term ventilatory support in patients with only unilateral phrenic nerve function.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jun 2005
Cognitive complaints are associated with depression, fatigue, female sex, and pain catastrophizing in patients with chronic pain.
To examine the relation between demographic, pain-related, psychosocial, affective, and treatment factors and complaints of cognitive dysfunction among patients with chronic pain. ⋯ Complaints of cognitive impairment among chronic pain patients appear to be associated with multiple factors, with particular attention to depressive symptoms, fatigue, and catastrophizing. Our results also suggest that women with chronic pain are particularly vulnerable to cognitive dysfunction.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · May 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEffects of home strength training and stretching versus stretching alone after lumbar disk surgery: a randomized study with a 1-year follow-up.
To assess the adherence to and effects of a 12-month combined strength and stretching home exercise regimen versus stretching alone, on patient outcome after lumbar disk surgery. ⋯ At the 12-month follow-up, no statistically significant changes were found in the physical function, pain, or disability measures between the groups. In the STG, training adherence with regard to training frequency and intensity remained too low to lead to specific training-induced adaptations in the neuromuscular system. Progressive loading, supervision of training, and psychosocial support is needed in long-term rehabilitation programs to maintain patient motivation.