Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Feb 2014
Transcranial direct current stimulation effects in disorders of consciousness.
To assess the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on improving consciousness in patients with persistent unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) (previously termed persistent vegetative state [PVS]) or in a minimally conscious state (MCS). ⋯ tDCS seems promising for the rehabilitation of patients with severe disorders of consciousness. Severity and duration of pathology may be related to the degree of tDCS' beneficial effects.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Feb 2014
Instrumenting the balance error scoring system for use with patients reporting persistent balance problems after mild traumatic brain injury.
To determine whether alterations to the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), such as modified conditions and/or instrumentation, would improve the ability to correctly classify traumatic brain injury (TBI) status in patients with mild TBI with persistent self-reported balance complaints. ⋯ A concussion may disrupt the sensory processing required for optimal postural control, which was measured by sway during quiet stance. These results suggest that the use of portable inertial sensors may be useful in the move toward more objective and sensitive measures of balance control postconcussion, but more work is needed to increase sensitivity.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Feb 2014
Association between the volume of inpatient rehabilitation therapy and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with ischemic stroke.
To investigate the relationship between the volume of inpatient rehabilitation therapy and mortality among patients with acute ischemic stroke, as well as to assess whether the association varies with respect to stroke severity. ⋯ The volume of inpatient rehabilitation therapy and mortality were significantly inversely related in the patients with ischemic stroke. Thus, further programs aimed at promoting greater use of rehabilitation services are warranted.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Feb 2014
Association of internet use and depression among the spinal cord injury population.
To examine the relation between the frequency of Internet use and depression among people with spinal cord injury (SCI). ⋯ People with SCI who used the Internet daily were less likely to have depressive symptoms.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 2014
ReviewCommunity integration after traumatic brain injury: a systematic review of the clinical implications of measurement and service provision for older adults.
To explore the scope, reliability, and validity of community integration measures for older adults after traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ Enhancing integration of older adults after TBI into their community of choice, with particular emphasis on social integration and quality of life, should be a primary rehabilitation goal. However, more research is needed to inform best practice guidelines to meet the needs of this growing TBI population. It is recommended that subjective tools, such as quality of life measures, are used in conjunction with well-established community integration measures, such as the CIQ, during the assessment process.