Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Aug 2003
Comparative StudyPredicting oxygen uptake for men and women with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
To develop regression equations for estimating peak oxygen consumption (Vo(2)) for men and women with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). ⋯ Peak Vo(2) can be estimated for men and for women by using the generalized equations presented. The calculation of 6M(WORK) is an improvement over distance ambulated as the 6MWT outcome. These data build on the existing body of knowledge for the 6MWT and extend its application for patients with COPD. Knowledge of the peak Vo(2) can be used for patient assessment, serial monitoring, evaluating disability, and as a common index of function across modalities. The calculation of 6M(WORK) outperformed distance ambulated and is easily converted to other indices of caloric expenditure that are commonly used in the laboratory and clinical settings.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Aug 2003
Comparative StudyPain in persons with cerebral palsy: extension and cross validation.
To cross-validate and extend the assessment of pain in persons with cerebral palsy (CP). ⋯ The study findings are consistent with earlier findings concerning pain problems in adults with CP and provide further evidence that pain problems may be overlooked and undertreated in this population.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Aug 2003
Comparative StudyAnalysis of impairments influencing gait velocity and asymmetry of hemiplegic patients after mild to moderate stroke.
To identify the most important impairments determining gait velocity and asymmetry in patients with mild to moderate stroke. ⋯ Gait velocity and asymmetry of patients with mild to moderate stroke were affected by different physical impairments. Whereas gait velocity was mainly affected by weakness of the affected hip flexors and knee extensors, gait asymmetry was influenced primarily by the degree of the spasticity of the affected ankle plantarflexors. Therapeutic interventions aiming to improve different aspects of gait performance of these patients may emphasize treatment of different impairments.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Aug 2003
Comparative StudyFear of injury and physical deconditioning in patients with chronic low back pain.
To test the assumption that fear of injury leads to disability and physical deconditioning in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and to evaluate the relation between disability and physical deconditioning. ⋯ Fear of injury appears to be more strongly associated with perceived disability than with aerobic fitness. The assumption that fear of injury leads to physical deconditioning was not confirmed in this sample of patients with CLBP.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Aug 2003
Comparative StudyLateral pelvic displacement during gait: abnormalities after stroke and changes during the first month of rehabilitation.
To measure the amplitude and symmetry of lateral pelvic displacement (LPD) in patients with acute hemiparetic stroke; to assess the relationship between LPD and walking speed; and to quantify changes in LPD during 1- and 4-week intervals in the early stages of gait rehabilitation. ⋯ These results provide baseline LPD values for patients with acute hemiparetic stroke and demonstrate the relationship between LPD and walking speed. Change in LPD during inpatient rehabilitation was not uniform or predictable, particularly during longer periods. This highlights the need for therapists to regularly reassess each patient during the early rehabilitation phase after stroke, especially given that individual differences can be marked.