Clinical rehabilitation
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Clinical rehabilitation · Aug 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEffect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on Barthel Activities of Daily Living (ADL) index score following stroke.
To evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and placebo TENS on the level of activities of daily living (ADL) of stroke patients. ⋯ TENS appears to be an effective adjunct in the regaining of motor functions and improving ADL in hemiplegic patients, but the accidental imbalance in severity of disability at entry makes interpretation uncertain.
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Clinical rehabilitation · Aug 1998
Association between amputation, arthritis and osteopenia in British male war veterans with major lower limb amputations.
To investigate the association between amputation, osteoarthritis and osteopenia in male war veterans with major lower limb amputations. Specific questions were to determine whether lower limb amputees following trauma are at subsequent risk of developing osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis of the hip on both the amputated and nonamputated sides. ⋯ Male war veterans with unilateral major lower limb amputations develop significantly more osteoarthritis of the hip than expected on both ipsi- and contralateral sides. Amputation was also associated with loss of bone density. Above-knee amputees develop significantly more hip osteoarthritis and osteopenia of greater severity in the amputated side than below-knee amputees.
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Clinical rehabilitation · Aug 1998
The views of therapists on the use of a patient-held record in the care of stroke patients.
To explore the views of therapists working with stroke patients on the use of a patient-held record (PHR) for stroke patients. A PHR was developed in the form of a pocket-sized booklet (21 cm x 14.5 cm) in which staff recorded information relating to the patient's management. The aim of the PHR was to facilitate communication and involve patients more directly in their care. ⋯ Responsibility for the PHR may enhance patients' understanding and involvement in their care, yet ownership alone does not guarantee the confidence needed to encourage dialogue between patients and care providers. Furthermore, it is doubtful whether a PHR can hope to overcome the fundamental differences in the philosophies of care which the therapists reported.