American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation
-
Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2008
Clinical TrialMagnetic resonance imaging vs. electrodiagnostic root compromise in lumbar spinal stenosis: a masked controlled study.
The high false-positive rate of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) makes it a less-than-reliable tool for evaluating clinically significant stenosis. Finding MRI changes that correlate with electrodiagnostic abnormalities might lead to more successful treatment decision making. The purpose of this study was to identify MRI changes that correlate with neurologic abnormalities measured by electrodiagnosis in patients with spinal stenosis. ⋯ Needle electromyography does not differentiate patients with symptomatic mild or moderate lumbar stenosis. However, H-wave and F-wave correlated to specific anatomical changes on MRI in this patient population.
-
Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Sep 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialPre- and postoperative cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in hospitalized patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery: a randomized controlled trial.
Patients who have to wait in the hospital for coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) are exposed to the potential risks of immobilization. This clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of an in-hospital cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program performed before and after CABG on postoperative outcomes. ⋯ Pre- and postoperative cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in patients who await CABG in the hospital is superior to standard care and leads to a reduced rate of postoperative complications and shorter hospital stay.
-
To investigate a new technique for needle insertion into the subscapularis muscle for botulinum toxin injection, nerve block with phenol, and electromyography. ⋯ This new technique, termed the inferior approach, is both easy and anatomically safe: it did not involve any risk of damage to any major artery, vein, or nerve.
-
Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Sep 2008
Factors predicting pressure ulcers in veterans with spinal cord injuries.
To identify patient risk factors for pressure ulcers in a sample of veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders. ⋯ Efforts to prevent pressure ulcers should include increased attention to managing diabetes and depressive symptoms. Further research to explore the association between multiple healthcare system use and the risk of pressure ulcers should be pursued.
-
The purpose of this work was to compare the relative importance of deep lung insufflation with the abdominal thrust and their combination in augmenting cough peak flows (CPF). ⋯ Thus, air stacking was significantly more effective than abdominal thrust in increasing CPF, but the combination was the most effective. The CPF of the quartile of patients with the lowest unassisted CPF were also significantly (P < or = 0.04) more augmented by air stacking and thrusting than for the milder quartiles of patients. Thus, the greatest improvements in CPF were for patients with the weakest coughs.