American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation
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Am J Phys Med Rehabil · May 2004
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialBilateral activation of motor unit potentials with unilateral needle stimulation of active myofascial trigger points.
The objective of this study was to determine if there are electromyographic differences between active and latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) during trigger point needling. ⋯ We demonstrated bilateral or mirror-image electromyographic activity associated with unilateral needle stimulation of active MTrPs. We have found no previous mention of this phenomenon in the literature. Our study supports the concept that the perpetuation of pain and muscle dysfunction in active MTrPs may be related to abnormal central nervous system processing of sensory input at the level of the spinal cord.
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Am J Phys Med Rehabil · May 2004
Clinical TrialMinimally supervised home rehabilitation improves exercise capacity and health status in patients with COPD.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on exercise tolerance and quality of life of an outpatient rehabilitation program implemented at home without a physiotherapist's direct supervision in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. ⋯ We conclude that an inexpensive home rehabilitation program can improve quality of life and exercise tolerance in patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Furthermore, our results indicate that exercise tolerance evaluated by cycloergometry and quality of life evaluated by the mean of the Health Status Index questionnaire are independent outcome measures of pulmonary rehabilitation.