Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Nov 2004
Assessing the influence of wheelchair technology on perception of participation in spinal cord injury.
To investigate factors related to the wheelchair, impairment, and environment that affect perception of participation of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) in activities performed in 3 settings: in the home, in the community, and during transportation. ⋯ The wheelchair was the most commonly cited limiting factor, followed by physical impairment and physical environment. The wheelchair is the most important mobility device used by persons with SCI and the one that users most associate with barriers.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Nov 2004
Case ReportsMyotonic dystrophy presenting as new-onset hand weakness and recurrent pneumonia in a patient with paraplegia: a case report.
We describe a previously independent T11 paraplegic patient who had delayed-onset hand weakness and recurrent pneumonia caused by myotonic dystrophy. A man in his late thirties suffered a thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) from a gunshot wound at the age of 17 years, with resultant T11 American Spinal Injury Association class A paraplegia. He lived independently until the age of 36 years when he was hospitalized multiple times for pneumonia. ⋯ Electrodiagnostic testing was performed, which showed myotonic discharges. Genetic testing was consistent with myotonic dystrophy. This case shows the importance of considering causes of weakness that affect the population as a whole when evaluating a patient with SCI who presents with delayed-onset weakness.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEfficacy of multiwavelength light therapy in the treatment of pressure ulcers in subjects with disorders of the spinal cord: A randomized double-blind controlled trial.
To study the efficacy of multiwavelength light therapy in the treatment of pressure ulcers in subjects with spinal cord disorders. ⋯ Multiwavelength light therapy from a gallium-aluminum-arsenide laser source did not influence overall healing pressure ulcers. Limited evidence suggested that it improved healing of stage 3 and 4 pressure ulcers.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2004
Comparative StudyEffects of a simple functional electric system and/or a hinged ankle-foot orthosis on walking in persons with incomplete spinal cord injury.
To compare the effect of functional electric stimulation (FES) with that of a hinged ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) for assisting foot clearance, gait speed, and endurance and to determine whether there is added benefit in using FES in conjunction with the hinged AFO in persons with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). ⋯ Both FES and the hinged AFO promote walking and FES is only superior to the AFO in increasing foot-clearance values. The hinged AFO and FES together may offer advantages over either device alone.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2004
Kinesiophobia in chronic fatigue syndrome: assessment and associations with disability.
To investigate aspects of the validity of the total scores of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), Dutch Version, which was modified to make it an appropriate questionnaire for the assessment of kinesiophobia (fear of movement) in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients (the Dutch TSK-CFS), and, using this assessment tool, to examine the associations between kinesiophobia, exercise capacity, and activity limitations and participation restrictions in patients with CFS. ⋯ These results provide evidence for the internal consistency and the convergent and congruent validity of the scores obtained by use of the Dutch TSK-CFS. Kinesiophobia appears to be associated with activity limitations/participation restrictions but not with exercise capacity in patients with CFS.