Disability and rehabilitation
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The present study aimed to identify predictors of rehabilitation outcome for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) and psychological problems. ⋯ No strong predictors of treatment outcome were found other than the baseline scores of the respective outcome variables. More disabled patients and patients with more pain benefitted more from the rehabilitation program. Other predictors improved the prediction models slightly. Implications for Rehabilitation It remains challenging to correctly predict the outcome of treatment from patients' baseline sociodemographic and psychological characteristics; predictors other than baseline scores of the outcome variables are only slightly associated with treatment outcome. Patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and poor physical functioning or mental health benefit most from pain rehabilitation. Older patients benefit less from a pain rehabilitation program than younger patients in terms of physical functioning. Pain reduction during a pain rehabilitation program is greatest in patients with high pain intensity who are not at work at the start of the rehabilitation program. Coping style influences the outcome of rehabilitation of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
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To examine the perspectives of persons living with traumatic spinal cord injuries (tSCI) on their access to health and support services. The specific aims were to identify the perceived gaps in access, classify the nature of the perceived gaps and compare differences in perceptions of access between urban and rural participants. ⋯ Maintaining health and well-being in people with tSCI demands access to both conventional health care and support services. Implications for Rehabilitation Access to both health and support services are important to maintaining the health and wellness of people with spinal cord injury. People with spinal cord injuries take an active role in coordinating their health, at times assuming various roles to compensate for perceived shortcomings of health care providers. Negotiating balances of power with gatekeepers in the health and insurance sectors was a key function of the coordinating role assumed by people with spinal cord injury. In order to effectively address the needs of this population, a coordinated interdisciplinary out-reach service, which includes peer support, must cross boundaries to engage sectors beyond traditional health care services, such as insurers and wellness providers.
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The aim of this study was to determine how school teachers in the United States (US) perceived using Twitter as a means for professional development, engagement in communities of practice, and any benefits or drawbacks to participating in Twitter. ⋯ Regardless of years teaching, subject area, or age, educators perceived Twitter as providing an online forum to reflect upon practice, exchange knowledge and experience, and be in the presence of supportive colleagues. While participants experienced the pace and volume of information as being overwhelming at times, educators developed skills to managing this and perceived discussions to be learner-centered and supportive. Teachers valued the sense of community and learning that they reported were not otherwise available in their own physical workplace. Overall, participants perceived that the benefits of participation in online Twitter chats for learning outweighed any drawbacks experienced. This article includes implications for future research and how social network sites may be used as a supportive venue for educators, therapists, and students, including individuals with disabilities.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Rasch analysis of the Italian version of fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ-I).
To perform a Rasch analysis (RA) of the Fear Avoidance Beliefs questionnaire (FABQ-I) in a sample of chronic non-specific low back pain (CLBP) patients. The RA is expected to provide information about the internal construct validity and all the single items consistency of the FABQ-I and then contributing to the knowledge about the questionnaire's clinimetric properties. ⋯ FABQ-I may be considered to reflect a multiple psychological constructs describing scale. The raw score of the FABQ-I and changes in scores must be interpreted with caution because as a general measure of fear avoid beliefs was not supported.
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The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a sub-maximal exercise test measuring the distance that a patient can walk quickly in a period of 6 minutes (6MWD). The objectives of this systematic review are to evaluate the 6MWT's suitability for measuring the impact of an intervention, to compare the 6MWD walked by patients with schizophrenia with data for the general population or matched controls, to identify the determinants of 6MWD and to examine the measurement properties and quality procedures of the 6MWT. ⋯ The Six-Minute Walk Test reliably assesses the functional exercise capacity in patients with schizophrenia. The impact of therapeutic interventions on patients, as measured by the 6MWT, cannot be confirmed. Clinicians should take into account overweight, antipsychotic medication use and the physical self-perception when considering the functional exercise capacity in schizophrenia. Clinicians should follow International standards such as these of the American Thoracic Society when using the Six-Minute Walk Test in patients with severe mental illnesses.