Disability and rehabilitation
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Psychosocial factors are likely to play a crucial role in adjustment to upper limb amputation and prosthesis use, and yet have received only minimal exploration within the literature. This study therefore, sought to gain a rich understanding of the experience of living with an upper limb amputation and of using a prosthetic arm and hand. ⋯ The findings offer a greater psychological insight into adjustment from an upper limb amputation and the role of prostheses. These findings have implications for both the clinical rehabilitation of patients who undergo upper limb amputations, as well as for future research into the use and value of prostheses in facilitating the adjustment to this experience.
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Multicenter Study
The Pain Belief Screening Instrument (PBSI): predictive validity for disability status in persistent musculoskeletal pain.
To evaluate the predictive validity of a screening instrument measuring disability, self-efficacy, fear of movement and catastrophizing, for disability status in patients with musculoskeletal pain in primary health care physical therapy. Development over time of pain-related disability, pain intensity, self-reported work capacity and overall daily function for subgroups of patients was also investigated. ⋯ The predictive validity of the PBSI for disability was confirmed. In clinical use the PBSI could serve as a mean to obtain supplementary and clinically useful information.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Eccentric exercises for the management of tendinopathy of the main body of the Achilles tendon with or without an AirHeel Brace. A randomized controlled trial. B: Effects of compliance.
To evaluate microcirculatory variables in and around the Achilles tendon (AT) in patients undergoing a programme of daily eccentric training for the management of tendinopathy of the main body of the AT in non-compliant in contrast to compliant patients. ⋯ In patients undergoing eccentric training for tendinopathy of the main body of the AT, there is no difference in microcirculatory variables regardless of compliance with the eccentric exercises programme. With the exception of the more frequent use of oral contraceptive medication and less often walking/swimming, no predictive factors could be identified in non-compliant patients.
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To evaluate the intertester reliability of two methods for measuring lower-limb strength in children with cerebral palsy (CP). ⋯ The intertester reliability of measuring muscle strength of the lower extremities using a hand-held dynamometer is questionable. The intertester reliability of the 30-sec RM for the lower extremity is acceptable.
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A fundamental prerequisite for applying the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in practice and research is its demonstration of reliability and applicability. The aim of this study was to examine the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability in assigning ICF codes to physiotherapists' descriptions of problems, resources and goals in rehabilitation of severely injured persons, and to explore the feasibility of the ICF for capturing the described functional status. ⋯ The results showed at least moderate inter-rater and excellent intra-rater reliability for the ICF classification of physiotherapist's descriptions of problems, resources and goals in persons with multiple injuries. The ICF also proved to be applicable for use in clinical practice. Results from this study might contribute to development of core sets for use in rehabilitation of this patient group.