American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation
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Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Apr 2010
Comparative Study Controlled Clinical TrialBotulinum toxin a injection into calf muscles for treatment of spastic equinus in cerebral palsy: a controlled trial comparing sonography and electric stimulation-guided injection techniques: a preliminary report.
To compare the clinical outcomes of two different injection techniques, one guided by electric stimulation and the other by sonography, for botulinum toxin A injection into calf muscles for the treatment of spastic equinus in children with cerebral palsy. ⋯ Visual feedback by ultrasonography could improve the accuracy of selective neuromuscular blocking of the gastrocnemius.
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Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Mar 2010
Psychosocial factors and adjustment to pain in individuals with postpolio syndrome.
The purpose of the current study was to examine the associations among measures of psychosocial factors, pain, and adjustment in persons with postpoliomyelitis syndrome. ⋯ The overall results of the current study are consistent with a biopsychosocial framework for understanding pain and functioning in individuals with postpoliomyelitis syndrome. Although additional research is needed to clarify the nature of the relationships between individual psychosocial variables and functional indices, the findings suggest the need for a multidisciplinary approach to pain management in individuals with postpoliomyelitis syndrome.
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Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Mar 2010
Impact of Medicare's prospective payment system for inpatient rehabilitation facilities on stroke patient outcomes.
To estimate the effect of Medicare's prospective payment system for inpatient rehabilitation facilities on discharge functional status, community discharge, and length of stay. ⋯ Further research is needed to determine whether the small reductions in patient function are persistent over time. This short-term evaluation of prospective payment system suggests minimal negative impact on stroke patient function at discharge because of the change in Medicare reimbursement but a decrease in likelihood of discharge to the community.
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Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Feb 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialRemote effects of dry needling on the irritability of the myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle.
To investigate the remote effect of dry needling on the irritability of a myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle. ⋯ This study demonstrated the remote effectiveness of dry needling. Dry needling of a distal myofascial trigger point can provide a remote effect to reduce the irritability of a proximal myofascial trigger point.
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Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Feb 2010
Demographics and attitudes of chronic-pain patients who seek online pain-related medical information: implications for healthcare providers.
To identify the demographics, search characteristics, and attitudes of chronic-pain patients who access online pain-related medical information. ⋯ A large proportion of chronic-pain patients use the Internet to obtain online pain-related medical information. This behavior was found to show significant correlation with patients' level of education. Despite multiple previous studies suggesting inaccurate and low quality of online medical information, most of the patients felt confident in the credibility of online pain-related medical information obtained. Furthermore, many patients choose not to share this information with their healthcare providers. Healthcare providers must acknowledge the growing importance of Internet-based health information, be prepared to entertain questions and assist patients in evaluating the quality of online pain-related medical information, and possibly proactively suggest quality third-party pain-related websites.