Disability and rehabilitation
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Comparative Study
Characteristics and functional outcomes of brain injury caused by physical assault in Canada: a population-based study from an inpatient rehabilitation setting.
To investigate the characteristics and inpatient rehabilitation outcomes of persons who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from physical assault - a form of intentional TBI - and compare these outcomes to those of persons with TBI resulting from other aetiologies. ⋯ Clinicians should have appropriate training to properly assess the mental health status of this patient group. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities should be prepared to provide services targeting psychosocial, substance abuse and interpersonal relationship issues to persons with a TBI from physical assault while patients are still within a hospital setting. Follow-up clinical care and community support services are warranted for those with intentional TBIs, including provision of occupational rehabilitation services, such as vocational rehabilitation. The discharge team should be responsible for ensuring appropriate discharge to community in the absence of family or other advocates on behalf of the patient.
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Comparative Study
Self-rated disability, fear-avoidance beliefs, nonorganic pain behaviors are important mediators of ranges of active motion in chronic whiplash patients.
The influence of self-rated disability and fear-avoidance beliefs on whiplash sufferers in their performance of active ranges of motion has not been studied well. We undertook a cross-sectional study to determine this. ⋯ As chronic whiplash sufferers perform ROM in a clinical examination, these ranges are importantly influenced by their self-perceived disability. Cervical nonorganic simulation signs can be helpful in distinguishing high from very high levels of disability and motion restriction. The lack of correlation with the TSK may present a challenge to the Fear Avoidance Model in whiplash. Implications for Rehabilitation Self-ratings of disability in chronic whiplash sufferers are influenced by their fear-avoidance beliefs. While self-ratings of disability are known to predict chronicity of whiplash, there is less known about how these ratings affect impairment assessment during recovery. This study shows that self-ratings of disability influence the presentation of impairment by chronic whiplash sufferers with respect to their ranges of neck motion. Signs of nonorganic behavior also influence ranges of motion and self-ratings of disability. These findings should be incorporated into the interpretation of impairment findings in chronic whiplash sufferers in order to improve management.
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To identify and quantify the meaningful concepts within questionnaires focusing on lymphedema using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). ⋯ The ICF provides a valuable reference to identify concepts in questionnaires focusing on individuals with lymphedema. Implications for Rehabilitation Lymphedema is a chronic condition and the problems in physical functioning related to lymphedema can result in distress and loss of quality of life. ICF Core Sets for lymphedema consist of a lymphedema-specific selection of ICF categories, which makes it easier to implement the use of the ICF in medical and allied health care. ICF Core Sets for lymphedema can act as a framework for more unity in questionnaires concerning consequences of lymphedema. Part of the development process of ICF Core Sets for lymphedema is the linking of items from lymphedema-specific clinical questionnaires to ICF codes. The ICF codes most frequently used to link the items in the reviewed questionnaires were "Structure of upper extremity", "Immunological system functions", "Looking after one's health", "Sensation of pain", "Touch functions", "Dressing" and "Health services, systems and policies".
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The influence of inspiratory muscle training on diaphragmatic mobility, pulmonary function and maximum respiratory pressures in morbidly obese individuals: a pilot study.
To investigate whether 12 week inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has any impact on pulmonary function, maximum respiratory pressures and diaphragmatic mobility (DM) in morbidly obese subjects. ⋯ Morbid Obesity Morbid obesity is a disabling condition that has a serious negative impact on lung function, respiratory muscle function and quality of life. Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) is a technique which aims to improve pulmonary expansion and to prevent post surgery complications on morbid obese individuals. This study shows significantly increased on maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal voluntary ventilation and promoted changes on spirometric variables after IMT.
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Few individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) engage in the recommended amount of leisure time physical activity (LTPA). Yet little is known about how, and why, active individuals engage in specific types of LTPA. This study explored how a unique narrative environment and disability narratives motivated individuals with SCI to engage in LTPA. ⋯ Despite individuals' views about their disability, they can still be motivated to engage in routine LTPA. Different theoretical determinants, such as health or social benefits, hold different relevance for LTPA among individuals with differing disability narratives. The environment provided by practitioners can therefore elicit some stories of SCI while stifling others. Open narrative environment will attract individuals to listen and maintain involvement in LTPA.