Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Nov 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialVariation in torque production with frequency using medium frequency alternating current.
To investigate the effect of frequency of alternating current on electrically induced torque in healthy subjects, and to establish an optimum frequency for motor stimulation. ⋯ Electrical stimulators using an alternating current waveform typically use a carrier frequency in the range of 2kHz to 4kHz for motor stimulation. This study shows that carrier frequencies in this range, modulated at 50Hz, are a compromise between comfort and maximum torque production. For maximum comfort with a low torque, a frequency close to 10kHz is indicated. For maximum torque, a lower frequency of alternating current (1kHz or less) is preferable.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Nov 1998
Fluoroscopic transforaminal lumbar epidural steroids: an outcome study.
To determine the therapeutic value and long-term effects of fluoroscopic transforaminal epidural steroid injections in patients with refractory radicular leg pain. ⋯ Fluoroscopic transforminal epidural steroids are an effective nonsurgical treatment option for patients with lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus and radiculopathy in whom more conservative treatments are not effective and should be considered before surgical intervention.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Nov 1998
Case ReportsMoving bullet syndrome: a complication of penetrating head injury.
Penetrating injuries, by definition, result in retained bullets or fragments. Usually, these fragments are removed surgically during wound debridement. Occasionally, the position of the bullet may preclude removal if it is thought that surgery could exacerbate neurologic damage. ⋯ Each person improved neurologically after the migrating bullet fragment was removed. Additionally, functional progress was marked in both persons and symptomatic relief noted. Rehabilitation physicians caring for survivors of penetrating brain injuries need to be aware of this potentially devastating phenomenon.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Nov 1998
High-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation alters thermal but not mechanical allodynia following chronic constriction injury of the rat sciatic nerve.
To determine if daily transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can alter the thermal and mechanical allodynia that develops after chronic constriction injury (CCI) to the right sciatic nerve of rats. ⋯ It appears that daily TENS can prevent thermal but not mechanical allodynia in this model. However, early intervention with the treatment is critical if it is to be effective at all.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 1998
Functional changes in back muscle activity correlate with pain intensity and prediction of low back pain during pregnancy.
To assess low back pain (LBP) intensity and subjective disability during pregnancy and compare the pain scores with lumbar motion patterns. ⋯ Prepregnancy LBP predicts renewed pain during pregnancy, and dysfunction of back muscles has been established in LBP. In this study, disturbance in the relaxation of the back muscles was linearly related to current, and also to later, pain scores. In addition, back muscle activity level was inversely related to the disability index. For the first time, it has been shown prospectively that the function pattern of back extensors seems to predict, and is related to, future back pain. Simple function testing is promising and might be valuable in identifying mothers with a high risk of pregnancy-related back pain and in directing preventive intervention to high risk women by making them aware of self-treatment methods.