Disability and rehabilitation
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To examine the relevance of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to CBR monitoring and evaluation by investigating the relationship between the ICF and information in published CBR monitoring and evaluation reports. ⋯ The ICF is a relevant and potentially useful framework and classification, providing building blocks for the systematic recording of information pertaining to functioning and disability, for CBR monitoring and evaluation. Implications for Rehabilitation The application of the ICF, as one of the building blocks for CBR monitoring and evaluation, is a constructive step towards an evidence-base on the efficacy and outcomes of CBR programs. The ICF can be used to provide the infrastructure for functioning and disability information to inform service practitioners and enable national and international comparisons.
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To develop a French Canadian version of the Falls Behavioral (FaB) Scale and examine its psychometric properties. ⋯ Fall-related behaviors should be addressed in the assessment of community-dwelling seniors' fall risks. Like the original FaB, the French Canadian version of the tool (FaB-FC) is valid and reliable for assessing fall-related behaviors. The FaB-FC is a relevant complementary assessment tool for identifying seniors at risk for falls. The FaB-FC could also be useful in guiding fall prevention interventions and measuring the impact of these interventions on seniors' behaviors.
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To determine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of Expanded and Revised Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS-ER) for cerebral palsy (CP) and to explore if there existed differences between parents and the other raters. ⋯ The Chinese version of the GMFCS-ER is a valid measure of functional ability in school children with CP and reliable enough for use by Chinese healthcare providers and parents. Effects of environmental and personal factors should be considered when practicing GMFCS-ER assessment. Implications for Rehabilitation Cerebral palsy. Research about GMFCS-ER is needed to promote a more extensive use of GMFCS-ER in China for school children with CP. The Chinese version of the GMFCS-ER is a valid measure of functional ability in school children with CP and reliable enough for use by Chinese healthcare providers. Effects of environmental and personal factors should be considered when performing the GMFCS-ER assessment.
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The recent introduction of master's level curricula for Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physiotherapy (PT) training programs in Canada raises both challenges and opportunities to address ethical issues during professional training. This study evaluated the inclusion of ethics content in course descriptions and course calendars in order to develop a preliminary understanding of how rehabilitation ethics is taught in Canadian universities. ⋯ With the growing recognition and status of OT and PT in the healthcare system, and corresponding shifts in how professionals are being trained, it is crucial to assess and reflect upon the place accorded to and manner of teaching ethics. Implications for Rehabilitation Ethics training in rehabilitation programs With the evolving recognition of OT and PT professions within the healthcare system, and corresponding shifts in how future professionals are trained, it is crucial to assess the place accorded to teaching ethics. In Canadian OT and PT programs, ethics content is most commonly included in broad courses related to standards of practice and not in specific ethics courses. Careful attention is needed to ensure that OT and PT students receive sufficient ethics training that is well aligned with their future practice context to support them to competently address the ethical issues that they will encounter in clinical practice. In addition, OT and PT professionals would benefit from the development of continuing education activities that target ethical issues relevant to their practice.
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Comparative Study
Physical activity and low back pain: the role of subgroups based on the avoidance-endurance model.
This study examines the relationship between low back pain, disability and fatigue and overt physical activity with respect to fear-avoidance and endurance-related subgroups. ⋯ The results indicate different pathways to chronic pain and disability with physical underuse in FAR patients and overuse/overload in endurance patients suggesting the need for individually targeted cognitive-behavioral treatments in the maladaptive groups. Implications for Rehabilitation Improving the return to a normal physical activity level is an important goal for the rehabilitation of patients after lumbar disc surgery. Different pathways to chronic pain and disability with physical underuse in fear-avoidance patients and overuse in endurance patients should be considered. Different pain-related pain response pattern, based on the avoidance-endurance model, indicate the need for individual targeting of rehabilitation programs.