International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift für Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de réadaptation
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Pain in persons with mild-moderate Parkinson's disease: a cross-sectional study of pain severity and associated factors.
The aims of this study were to determine pain severity in persons with mild-moderate Parkinson's disease compared with healthy age- and sex-matched controls, and identify related factors, that is, demographic, disease severity, and functioning, of pain severity in the Parkinson's disease group. A cross-sectional study design was adopted to assess pain severity in 100 persons with Parkinson's disease and 47 healthy controls. Bodily pain was assessed using item 21 of the Short Form 36, whereas pain severity was determined using the entire Short Form 36 Bodily Pain subscale (score ranging from 0 to 100). ⋯ Poorer balance performance, a shorter disease duration, and poorer health-related quality of life were independently associated with pain severity. Pain severity is higher in those living with Parkinson's disease than controls, and severity appears to be associated with disease characteristics and overall health. Further research is required to assess pain origin in Parkinson's disease with the aim of developing targeted interventions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Clinical study of combined mirror and extracorporeal shock wave therapy on upper limb spasticity in poststroke patients.
Mirror therapy is a simple, inexpensive, and patient-oriented method that has been shown to reduce phantom sensations and pain caused by amputation and improve range of motion, speed, and accuracy of arm movement and function. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a new, reversible, and noninvasive method for the treatment of spasticity after stroke. To investigate the therapeutic effect of the combination of mirror and extracorporeal shock wave therapy on upper limb spasticity in poststroke patients. ⋯ Motor recovery and spasticity were measured using Fugl-Meyer assessment and modified Ashworth scale. The differences in the Fugl-Meyer assessment and modified Ashworth scale scores in group C were significantly greater than those of group D at all observed time points after treatment and were significantly greater than those of groups A and B (P<0.05), but no significant differences were observed between groups A and B until 12 months. Upper extremity spasticity was improved by combined mirror and ESWT.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effectiveness of a single session of dual-transcranial direct current stimulation in combination with upper limb robotic-assisted rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study.
The impact of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is controversial in the neurorehabilitation literature. It has been suggested that tDCS should be combined with other therapy to improve their efficacy. To assess the effectiveness of a single session of upper limb robotic-assisted therapy (RAT) combined with real or sham-tDCS in chronic stroke patients. ⋯ The results showed a slight improvement in hand dexterity and arm movement after the REAL+RAT tDCS intervention. The observed effect after a single session was small and not clinically relevant. Repetitive sessions could increase the benefits of this combined approach.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Conflicting results of robot-assisted versus usual gait training during postacute rehabilitation of stroke patients: a randomized clinical trial.
Robot gait training has the potential to increase the effectiveness of walking therapy. Clinical outcomes after robotic training are often not superior to conventional therapy. We evaluated the effectiveness of a robot training compared with a usual gait training physiotherapy during a standardized rehabilitation protocol in inpatient participants with poststroke hemiparesis. ⋯ The experimental group showed a significant increase in functional independence and gait speed (10 m walk test) at the end of the treatment and follow-up, higher than the minimal detectable change. The control group showed a significant increase in the gait endurance (6-min walk test) at the follow-up, higher than the minimal detectable change. Both treatments were effective in the improvement of gait performances, although the statistical analysis of functional independence showed a significant improvement in the experimental group, indicating possible advantages during generic activities of daily living compared with overground treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
The effect of virtual body swapping with mental rehearsal on pain intensity and body perception disturbance in complex regional pain syndrome.
The present study investigated the effects of virtual body swapping with mental rehearsal on pain intensity and body perception disturbance (BPD) in patients with complex regional pain syndrome. Patients with complex regional pain syndrome were assigned randomly to three experimental groups: the 'virtual body swapping with mental rehearsal' (VBS) group (n=13), the 'watching movement only' group (n=13), and the 'mental rehearsal only' (n=13) group. Then, pretreatment pain intensity and BPD were compared with post-treatment perceptions. ⋯ However, BPD improved significantly after treatment in the VBS group, but not in the other groups. Therefore, this study is the first to show the effects of a single session of VBS on BPD. Further studies should apply an elevated degree of immersion and create a more realistic virtual body.