Disability and rehabilitation
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The objective of this study was to test whether a Turkish version of the Neck Pain and Disability Scale retains its reliability and validity of the original English version. ⋯ Despite its major limitations, our results seem to support previous findings of the English and French versions of the Neck Pain and Disability Scale, indicating that this functional scale is valid and reliable.
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Comparative Study
Psychosocial predictors of long-term adjustment to lower-limb amputation and phantom limb pain.
To evaluate the utility of a biopsychosocial model to predict long-term adjustment to lower-limb amputation and phantom limb pain (PLP). ⋯ The findings support a biopsychosocial model of long-term adjustment to amputation and PLP. In addition, results suggest that some psychosocial variables are more important than others for predicting adjustment, providing important implications for early interventions after amputation.
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To analyse how decisions to dichotomise the frequency and impediment of phantom pain into absent and present influence the outcome of studies by performing a sensitivity analysis on an existing database. ⋯ The choice of cut off points influences the outcome of phantom pain studies considerably. This study provides some insight into the differences in prevalence and risk factors found in literature.
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Phantom limb pain (PLP) can be an enduring and distressing experience for people with amputations. Previous research has shown that 'mirror treatment' can reduce PLP for some people who have an upper limb amputation, and that it can increase a sense of motor control over the phantom in people with lower limb amputations who are not reporting PLP. There has been no previous report of therapeutic 'mirror treatment' for lower-limb phantom pain. ⋯ This case study, conducted in a conventional clinical setting, supports the potential of 'mirror treatment' for PLP in people with a lower limb amputation.
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Anecdotal evidence suggests that General Practitioners (GPs) vary in their understanding of phantom pain and associated factors in amputees. This has implications in that the GP's conception of the problem will determine what treatment or referral is offered. ⋯ These findings have serious implications for the management of phantom limb pain, disability and psychological distress in amputees in that GPs not only provide first line treatment, but are also the gatekeepers for referral to other services. Given this, the role of other professionals within the primary health care team may prove an additional resource for providing both support and accurate information to amputees in the community.