Disability and rehabilitation
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Aim: Our aim was to perform the Turkish-language adaptation of a practical ataxia rating scale for children. Methods: The Brief Ataxia Rating Scale was subjected to cultural adaptation following receipt of the requisite permissions. Thirty-six children aged 4-18 years followed-up with a diagnosis of ataxia were included in the study. ⋯ Conclusion: The Turkish-language adaptation of the Brief Ataxia Rating Scale is reliable and valid for application in children. Implications for RehabilitationThis study shows the reliability and validity of the Turkish language adaptation of brief ataxia rating scale in children. The scale being both practical and easily applicable to ataxic children will contribute to broadening its use in the pediatric age group in particular.
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Purpose: What are the characteristics of people with lower limb amputation at admission to, and discharge from, subacute rehabilitation? Have these characteristics changed over time?Methods: A total of 425 lower limb amputation inpatient rehabilitation admissions (335 individuals) from 2005 to 2011 were examined. Admission characteristics, including aetiology, gender, age, amputation level, cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)), indoor mobility aid, motor function (Functional Independence Measure motor subscale) and number and type of comorbidities, and discharge characteristics, including prosthetic prescription, motor function, discharge mobility aid, and destination were compared by admission date and year. Results: Proportion of people with lower limb amputation with nonvascular aetiology increased over time (2004, 15% to 2011, 24%) (ß = -181.836, p < 0.001). ⋯ Implications for rehabilitationRehabilitation should account for the changing characteristics of people with lower limb amputation. Motor function should be addressed as part of rehabilitation to optimise the patient's ability to return home and to the community. Prescription rates for lower limb prostheses reduced across time, indicating more specific selection processes and refined clinical decision making; this decision is best informed by a multi-disciplinary approach.
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Purpose: To determine if quality of life is reduced in individuals with patellofemoral osteoarthritis, whether it can be improved with treatment, and potential factors associated with quality of life in individuals with patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Materials and methods: Published articles were identified by using electronic and manual searches. Studies reporting quality of life in individuals with patellofemoral osteoarthritis relative to a comparator group (e.g., no osteoarthritis) and intervention studies reporting quality of life in patellofemoral osteoarthritis following treatment relative to baseline/control group were included. ⋯ Implications for rehabilitationClinicians and researchers should consider knee-related and health-related quality of life when developing treatment strategies for patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Researchers investigating the effectiveness of a treatment should compare intervention to a control group. Addressing knee pain and functional limitations may aid in improving knee-related quality of life in individuals with patellofemoral osteoarthritis.
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Purpose: To describe control of risk factors after stroke from the perspectives of the stroke survivor, the family, and healthcare professionals. Materials and methods: A mixed methods design was used, undertaken in two phases: i) qualitative study using focus group methodology to explore secondary stroke prevention and ii) survey of stroke survivors about use of technology and self-management of blood pressure (BP). Results: From the eight focus groups (n = 33), three themes were identified: i) stroke is a wake-up call to do the right things; ii) challenges to doing the right things; and iii) role of technology in helping you to do the right things. ⋯ BP continues to be poorly controlled after stroke and there is opportunity for improvement. Stroke survivors and their families are receptive to using health information technology to support their risk factor control. Rehabilitation clinicians have an opportunity to incorporate different aspects of health information technology into their practice to support self-management of risk factors.
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Background: Discharge decisions have significant implications for older adults and their involved family members. Evidence of older adult and family members' engagement in discharge decision-making, however, varies widely. Some recent work shows assumed associations between ageing, diminished participation in healthcare decision-making and increased reliance on family members. ⋯ To reconcile these tensions, the older adults' family members in these cases employed strategies to promote older adults' participation in decision-making that were consistent with relational autonomy theory. Conclusion and implications for practice: The analysis suggests that older adults' participation in discharge decision-making processes could be better promoted through relational approaches. Implications for rehabilitation • Adopting an approach guided by relational autonomy might better enable patients to participate in decision-making than would an approach guided by traditional conceptions of autonomy. • Rehabilitation professionals could seek assistance from family members and guide them toward collaborative partnerships. • A range of strategies may be employed to customize relational approaches to enhance autonomy: • having several different conversations with patients to enable multiple chances to contribute knowledge and views; • involving family members or taking the time to explain information several different times and in diverse manners; • showing patients videos or photos of discharge locations; • exploring a breadth of potential discharge options; • accompanying patients to visit different options in person; and • getting patients in touch with individuals who have made similar choices. • It is recognized that taking a relational approach might be time-consuming and that practice contexts may not be conducive to such practice.